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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:34:14 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10315-0.txt b/10315-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..427510d --- /dev/null +++ b/10315-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17038 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10315 *** + +PERSIAN LITERATURE + +comprising + +THE SHÁH NÁMEH, THE RUBÁIYÁT +THE DIVAN, AND THE GULISTAN + +Revised Edition, Volume 1 + +1909 + +With a special introduction by +RICHARD J. H. GOTTHEIL, Ph.D. + + + + + + + +SPECIAL INTRODUCTION + +A certain amount of romantic interest has always attached to Persia. +With a continuous history stretching back into those dawn-days of +history in which fancy loves to play, the mention of its name brings to +our minds the vision of things beautiful and artistic, the memory of +great deeds and days of chivalry. We seem almost to smell the fragrance +of the rose-gardens of Tus and of Shiraz, and to hear the knight-errants +tell of war and of love. There are other Oriental civilizations, whose +coming and going have not been in vain for the world; they have done +their little bit of apportioned work in the universe, and have done it +well. India and Arabia have had their great poets and their great +heroes, yet they have remained well-nigh unknown to the men and women of +our latter day, even to those whose world is that of letters. But the +names of Firdusi, Sa'di, Omar Khayyám, Jami, and Háfiz, have a place in +our own temples of fame. They have won their way into the book-stalls +and stand upon our shelves, side by side with the other books which +mould our life and shape our character. + +Some reason there must be for the special favor which we show to these +products of Persian genius, and for the hold which they have upon us. We +need not go far to find it. The under-current forces, which determine +our own civilization of to-day, are in a general way the same forces +which were at play during the heyday of Persian literary production. We +owe to the Hellenic spirit, which at various times has found its way +into our midst, our love for the beautiful in art and in literature. We +owe to the Semitic, which has been inbreathed into us by religious forms +and beliefs, the tone of our better life, the moral level to which we +aspire. The same two forces were at work in Persia. Even while that +country was purely Iránian, it was always open to Semitic influences. +The welding together of the two civilizations is the true signature of +Persian history. The likeness which is so evident between the religion +of the Avesta, the sacred book of the pre-Mohammedan Persians, and the +religion of the Old and New Testaments, makes it in a sense easy for us +to understand these followers of Zoroaster. Persian poetry, with its +love of life and this-worldliness, with its wealth of imagery and its +appeal to that which is human in all men, is much more readily +comprehended by us than is the poetry of all the rest of the Orient. +And, therefore, Goethe, Platen, Rückert, von Schack, Fitzgerald, and +Arnold have been able to re-sing their masterpieces so as to delight and +instruct our own days--of which thing neither India nor Arabia can +boast. + +Tales of chivalry have always delighted the Persian ear. A certain +inherent gayety of heart, a philosophy which was not so sternly vigorous +as was that of the Semite, lent color to his imagination. It guided the +hands of the skilful workmen in the palaces of Susa and Persepolis, and +fixed the brightly colored tiles upon their walls. It led the deftly +working fingers of their scribes and painters to illuminate their +manuscripts so gorgeously as to strike us with wonder at the assemblage +of hues and the boldness of designs. Their Zoroaster was never deified. +They could think of his own doings and of the deeds of the mighty men of +valor who lived before and after him with very little to hinder the free +play of their fancy. And so this fancy roamed up and down the whole +course of Persian history: taking a long look into the vista of the +past, trying even to lift the veil which hides from mortal sight the +beginnings of all things; intertwining fact with fiction, building its +mansions on earth, and its castles in the air. + +The greatest of all Eastern national epics is the work of a Persian. The +"Sháh Námeh," or Book of Kings, may take its place most worthily by the +side of the Indian Nala, the Homeric Iliad, the German Niebelungen. Its +plan is laid out on a scale worthy of its contents, and its execution is +equally worthy of its planning. One might almost say that with it +neo-Persian literature begins its history. There were poets in Persia +before the writer of the "Sháh Námeh"--Rudagi, the blind (died 954), +Zandshi (950), Chusravani (tenth century). There were great poets during +his own day. But Firdusi ranks far above them all; and at the very +beginning sets up so high a standard that all who come after him must +try to live up to it, or else they will sink into oblivion. + +The times in which Firdusi lived were marked by strange revolutions. The +Arabs, filled with the daring which Mohammed had breathed into them, had +indeed conquered Persia. In A.D. 657, when Merv fell, and the last +Sassanian king, Yezdegird III, met his end, these Arabs became nominally +supreme. Persia had been conquered--but not the Persian spirit. Even +though Turkish speech reigned supreme at court and the Arabic script +became universal, the temper of the old Arsacides and Sassanians still +lived on. It is true that Ormuzd was replaced by Allah, and Ahriman by +Satan. But the Persian had a glorious past of his own; and in this the +conquered was far above the conqueror. This past was kept alive in the +myth-loving mind of this Aryan people; in the songs of its poets and in +the lays of its minstrels. In this way there was, in a measure, a +continuous opposition of Persian to Arab, despite the mingling of the +two in Islam; and the opposition of Persian Shiites to the Sunnites of +the rest of the Mohammedan world at this very day is a curious survival +of racial antipathy. The fall of the only real Arab Mohammedan +dynasty--that of the Umayyid caliphs at Damascus--the rise of the +separate and often opposing dynasties in Spain, Sicily, Egypt, and +Tunis, served to strengthen the Persians in their desire to keep alive +their historical individuality and their ancient traditions. + +Firdusi was not the first, as he was not the only one, to collect the +old epic materials of Persia. In the Avesta itself, with its ancient +traditions, much can be found. More than this was handed down and +bandied about from mouth to mouth. Some of it had even found its way +into the Kalam of the Scribe; to-wit, the "Zarer, or Memorials of the +Warriors" (A.D. 500), the "History of King Ardeshir" (A.D. 600), the +Chronicles of the Persian Kings. If we are to trust Baisonghur's preface +to the "Sháh Námeh," there were various efforts made from time to time +to put together a complete story of the nation's history, by Farruchani, +Ramin, and especially by the Dihkan Danishwar (A.D. 651). The work of +this Danishwar, the "Chodainameh" (Book of Kings), deserves to be +specially singled out. It was written, not in neo-Persian and Arabic +script, but in what scholars call middle-Persian and in what is known as +the Pahlavi writing. It was from this "Chodainameh" that Abu Mansur, +lord of Tus, had a "Sháh Námeh" of his own prepared in the neo-Persian. +And then, to complete the tale, in 980 a certain Zoroastrian whose name +was Dakiki versified a thousand lines of this neo-Persian Book of Kings. + +In this very city of Tus, Abul Kasim Mansur (or Ahmed) Firdusi was born, +A.D. 935. One loves to think that perhaps he got his name from the +Persian-Arabic word for garden; for, verily, it was he that gathered +into one garden all the beautiful flowers which had blossomed in the +fancy of his people. As he has draped the figures in his great epic, so +has an admiring posterity draped his own person. His fortune has been +interwoven with the fame of that Mahmud of Ghazna (998-1030), the first +to bear the proud title of "Sultan," the first to carry Mohammed and the +prophets into India. The Round Table of Mahmud cannot be altogether a +figment of the imagination. With such poets as Farruchi, Unsuri, +Minutsheri, with such scientists as Biruni and Avicenna as intimates, +what wonder that Firdusi was lured by the splendors of a court life! But +before he left his native place he must have finished his epic, at least +in its rough form; for we know that in 999 he dedicated it to Ahmad ibn +Muhammad of Chalandsha. He had been working at it steadily since 971, +but had not yet rounded it out according to the standard which he had +set for himself. Occupying the position almost of a court poet, he +continued to work for Mahmud, and this son of a Turkish slave became a +patron of letters. On February 25, 1010, his work was finished. As poet +laureate, he had inserted many a verse in praise of his master. Yet the +story goes, that though this master had covenanted for a gold dirhem a +line, he sent Firdusi sixty thousand silver ones, which the poet spurned +and distributed as largesses and hied him from so ungenerous a master. + +It is a pretty tale. Yet some great disappointment must have been his +lot, for a lampoon which he wrote a short time afterwards is filled with +the bitterest satire upon the prince whose praises he had sung so +beautifully. Happily, the satire does not seem to have gotten under the +eyes of Mahmud; it was bought off by a friend, for one thousand dirhems +a verse. But Firdusi was a wanderer; we find him in Herat, in +Taberistán, and then at the Buyide Court of Bagdad, where he composed +his "Yusuf and Salikha," a poem as Mohammedan in spirit as the "Sháh +Námeh" was Persian. In 1021, or 1025, he returned to Tus to die, and to +be buried in his own garden--because his mind had not been orthodox +enough that his body should rest in sacred ground. At the last +moment--the story takes up again--Mahmud repented and sent the poet the +coveted gold. The gold arrived at one gate while Firdusi's body was +being carried by at another; and it was spent by his daughter in the +building of a hospice near the city. For the sake of Mahmud let us try +to believe the tale. + +We know much about the genesis of this great epic, the "Sháh Námeh"; far +more than we know about the make-up of the other great epics in the +world's literature. Firdusi worked from written materials; but he +produced no mere labored mosaic. Into it all he has breathed a spirit of +freshness and vividness: whether it be the romance of Alexander the +Great and the exploits of Rustem, or the love scenes of Zál and Rodhale, +of Bezhan and Manezhe, of Gushtásp and Kitayim. That he was also an +excellent lyric poet, Firdusi shows in the beautiful elegy upon the +death of his only son; a curious intermingling of his personal woes with +the history of his heroes. A cheerful vigor runs through it all. He +praises the delights of wine-drinking, and does not despise the comforts +which money can procure. In his descriptive parts, in his scenes of +battle and encounters, he is not often led into the delirium of +extravagance. Sober-minded and free from all fanaticism, he leans not +too much to Zoroaster or to Mohammed, though his desire to idealize his +Iránian heroes leads him to excuse their faith to his readers. And so +these fifty or more thousand verses, written in the Arabic heroic +Mutakarib metre, have remained the delight of the Persians down to this +very day--when the glories of the land have almost altogether departed +and Mahmud himself is all forgotten of his descendants. + +Firdusi introduces us to the greatness of Mahmud of Ghazna's court. Omar +Khayyám takes us into its ruins; for one of the friends of his boyhood +days was Nizam al-Mulk, the grandson of that Toghrul the Turk, who with +his Seljuks had supplanted the Persian power. Omar's other friend was +Ibn Sabbah, the "old Man of the Mountain," the founder of the Assassins. +The doings of both worked misery upon Christian Europe, and entailed a +tremendous loss of life during the Crusades. As a sweet revenge, that +same Europe has taken the first of the trio to its bosom, and has made +of Omar Khayyám a household friend. "My tomb shall be in a spot where +the north wind may scatter roses" is said to have been one of Omar's +last wishes. He little thought that those very roses from the tomb in +which he was laid to rest in 1123 would, in the nineteenth century, +grace the spot where his greatest modern interpreter--Fitzgerald--lies +buried in the little English town of Woodbridge! + +The author of the famous Quatrains--Omar Ibn Ibrahim al-Khayyám--not +himself a tent-maker, but so-called, as are the Smiths of our own +day--was of the city of Níshapúr. The invention of the Rubáiyát, or +Epigram, is not to his credit. That honor belongs to Abu Said of +Khorasan (968-1049), who used it as a means of expressing his mystic +pantheism. But there is an Omar Khayyám club in London--not one bearing +the name of Abu Said. What is the bond which binds the Rubáiyát-maker in +far-off Persia to the literati of modern Anglo-Saxondom? + +By his own people Omar was persecuted for his want of orthodoxy; and yet +his grave to this day is held in much honor. By others he was looked +upon as a Mystic. Reading the five hundred or so authentic quatrains one +asks, Which is the real Omar? Is it he who sings of wine and of +pleasure, who seems to preach a life of sensual enjoyment? or is it the +stern preacher, who criticises all, high and low; priest, dervish, and +Mystic--yea, even God himself? I venture to say that the real Omar is +both; or, rather, he is something higher than is adequately expressed in +these two words. The Ecclesiastes of Persia, he was weighed down by the +great questions of life and death and morality, as was he whom people so +wrongly call "the great sceptic of the Bible." The "_Weltschmerz_" was +his, and he fought hard within himself to find that mean way which +philosophers delight in pointing out. If at times Omar does preach +_carpe diem_, if he paint in his exuberant fancy the delights of +carousing, Fitzgerald is right--he bragged more than he drank. The +under-current of a serious view of life runs through all he has written; +the love of the beautiful in nature--a sense of the real worth of +certain things and the worthlessness of the Ego. Resignation to what is +man's evident fate; doing well what every day brings to be done--this is +his own answer. It was Job's--it was that of Ecclesiastes. + +This same "_Weltschmerz_" is ours to-day; therefore Omar Khayyám is of +us beloved. He speaks what often we do not dare to speak; one of his +quatrains can be more easily quoted than some of those thoughts can be +formulated. And then he is picturesque--picturesque because he is at +times ambiguous. Omar seems to us to have been so many things--a +believing Moslem, a pantheistic Mystic, an exact scientist (for he +reformed the Persian calendar). Such many-sidedness was possible in +Islam; but it gives him the advantage of appealing to many and different +classes of men; each class will find that he speaks their mind and their +mind only. That Omar was also tainted by Sufism there can be no doubt; +and many of his most daring flights must be regarded as the results of +the greater license which Mystic interpretation gave to its votaries. + +By the side of Firdusi the epic poet, and Omar the philosopher, Sa'di +the wise man, well deserves a place. His countrymen are accustomed to +speak of him simply as "the Sheikh," much more to his real liking than +the titles "The nightingale of the groves of Shiraz," or "The +nightingale of a Thousand Songs," in which Oriental hyperbole expresses +its appreciation. Few leaders and teachers have had the good fortune to +live out their teachings in their own lives as had Sa'di. And that life +was long indeed. Muharrif al-Din Abdallah Sa'di was born at Shiraz in +1184, and far exceeded the natural span of life allotted to man--for he +lived to be one hundred and ten years of age--and much of the time was +lived in days of stress and trouble. The Mongols were devastating in the +East; the Crusaders were fighting in the West. In 1226 Sa'di himself +felt the effects of the one--he was forced to leave Shiraz and grasp the +wanderer's staff, and by the Crusaders he was taken captive and led away +to Tripoli. But just this look into the wide world, this thorough +experience of men and things, produced that serenity of being that gave +him the firm hold upon life which the true teacher must always have. Of +his own spiritual condition and contentment he says: "Never did I +complain of my forlorn condition but on one occasion, when my feet were +bare, and I had not wherewithal to shoe them. Soon after, meeting a man +without feet, I was thankful for the bounty of Providence to myself, and +with perfect resignation submitted to my want of shoes." + +Thus attuned to the world, Sa'di escapes the depths of misanthropy as +well as the transports of unbridled license and somewhat blustering +swagger into which Omar at times fell. In his simplicity of heart he +says very tenderly of his own work;-- + + "We give advice in its proper place, + Spending a lifetime in the task. + If it should not touch any one's ear of desire, + The messenger told his tale; it is enough." + +That tale is a long one. His apprenticeship was spent in Arabic Bagdad, +sitting at the feet of noted scholars, and taking in knowledge not only +of his own Persian Sufism, but also of the science and learning which +had been gathered in the home of the Abbaside Caliphs. His +journeyman-years took him all through the dominions which were under +Arab influence--in Europe, the Barbary States, Egypt, Abyssinia, Arabia, +Syria, Palestine, Asia Minor, India. All these places were visited +before he returned to Shiraz, the "seat of learning," to put to writing +the thoughts which his sympathetic and observing mind had been evolving +during all these years. This time of his mastership was spent in the +seclusion almost of a recluse and in producing the twenty-two works +which have come down to us. An Oriental writer says of these periods of +his life: "The first thirty years of Sa'di's long life were devoted to +study and laying up a stock of knowledge; the next thirty, or perhaps +forty, in treasuring up experience and disseminating that knowledge +during his wide extending travels; and that some portion should +intervene between the business of life and the hour of death (and that +with him chanced to be the largest share of it), he spent the remainder +of his life, or seventy years, in the retirement of a recluse, when he +was exemplary in his temperance and edifying in his piety." + +Of Sa'di's versatility, these twenty-two works give sufficient evidence. +He could write homilies (Risalahs) in a Mystic-religious fashion. He +could compose lyrics in Arabic and Turkish as well as in Persian. He was +even led to give forth erotic verses. Fondly we hope that he did this +last at the command of some patron or ruler! But Sa'di is known to us +chiefly by his didactic works, and for these we cherish him. The +"Bustan," or "Tree-Garden," is the more sober and theoretical, treating +of the various problems and questions of ethics, and filled with Mystic +and Sufic descriptions of love. + +His other didactic work, the "Gulistan," is indeed a "Garden of Roses," +as its name implies; a mirror for every one alike, no matter what his +station in life may be. In prose and in poetry, alternating; in the form +of rare adventures and quaint devices; in accounts of the lives of kings +who have passed away; in maxims and apothegms, Sa'di inculcates his +worldly wisdom--worldly in the better sense of the word. Like Goethe in +our own day, he stood above the world and yet in it; so that while we +feel bound to him by the bonds of a common human frailty, he reaches out +with us to a higher and purer atmosphere. Though his style is often +wonderfully ornate, it is still more sober than that of Háfiz. Sa'di is +known to all readers of Persian in the East; his "Gulistan" is often a +favorite reading-book. + +The heroic and the didactic are, however, not the only forms in which +the genius of Persian poetry loved to clothe itself. From the earliest +times there were poets who sung of love and of wine, of youth and of +nature, with no thought of drawing a moral, or illustrating a tale. From +the times of Rudagi and the Samanide princes (tenth century), these +poets of sentiment sang their songs and charmed the ears of their +hearers. Even Firdusi showed, in some of his minor poems, that joyous +look into and upon the world which is the soul of all lyric poetry. But +of all the Persian lyric poets, Shams al-Din Mohammed Háfiz has been +declared by all to be the greatest. Though the storms of war and the +noise of strife beat all about his country and even disturbed the peace +of his native place--no trace of all this can be found in the poems of +Háfiz--as though he were entirely removed from all that went on about +him, though seeing just the actual things of life. He was, to all +appearance, unconcerned: glad only to live and to sing. At Shiraz he was +born; at Shiraz he died. Only once, it is recorded, did he leave his +native place, to visit the brother of his patron in Yezd. He was soon +back again: travel had no inducement for him. The great world outside +could offer him nothing more than his wonted haunts in Shiraz. It is +further said that he put on the garb of a Dervish; but he was altogether +free of the Dervish's conceit. "The ascetic is the serpent of his age" +is a saying put into his mouth. + +He had in him much that resembled Omar Khayyám; but he was not a +philosopher. Therefore, in the East at least, his "Divan" is more +popular than the Quatrains of Omar; his songs are sung where Omar's name +is not heard. He is substantially a man of melody--with much mannerism, +it is true, in his melody--but filling whatever he says with a wealth of +charming imagery and clothing his verse in delicate rhythms. Withal a +man, despite his boisterous gladsomeness and his overflowing joy in what +the present has to offer, in whom there is nothing common, nothing low. +"The Garden of Paradise may be pleasant," he tells us, "but forget not +the shade of the willow-tree and the fair margin of the fruitful field." +He is very human; but his humanity is deeply ethical in character. + +Much more than Omar and Sa'di, Háfiz was a thorough Sufi. "In one and +the same song you write of wine, of Sufism, and of the object of your +affection," is what Sháh Shuja said to him once. In fact, we are often +at an entire loss to tell where reality ends and Sufic vacuity +commences. For this Mystic philosophy that we call Sufism patched up a +sort of peace between the old Persian and the conquering Mohammedan. By +using veiled language, by taking all the every-day things of life as +mere symbols of the highest transcendentalism, it was possible to be an +observing Mohammedan in the flesh, whilst the mind wandered in the +realms of pure fantasy and speculation. While enjoying Háfiz, then, and +bathing in his wealth of picture, one is at a loss to tell whether the +bodies he describes are of flesh and blood, or incorporeal ones with a +mystic background; whether the wine of which he sings really runs red, +and the love he describes is really centred upon a mortal being. Yet, +when he says of himself, "Open my grave when I am dead, and thou shalt +see a cloud of smoke rising out from it; then shalt thou know that the +fire still burns in my dead heart--yea, it has set my very winding-sheet +alight," there is a ring of reality in the substance which pierces +through the extravagant imagery. This the Persians themselves have +always felt; and they will not be far from the truth in regarding Háfiz +with a very peculiar affection as the writer who, better than anyone +else, is the poet of their gay moments and the boon companion of their +feasts. + +Firdusi, Omar, Sa'di, Háfiz, are names of which any literature may be +proud. None like unto them rose again in Persia, if we except the great +Jami. At the courts of Sháh Abbas the Great (1588-1629) and of Akbar of +India (1556-1605), an attempt to revive Persian letters was indeed made. +But nothing came that could in any measure equal the heyday of the great +poets. The political downfall of Persia has effectually prevented the +coming of another spring and summer. The pride of the land of the Sháh +must now rest in its past. + +[Illustration: (Signature of Richard Gottheil)] + +Columbia University, June 11, 1900. + + + +CONTENTS + +THE SHÁH NÁMEH + + Introduction + Kaiúmers + Húsheng + Tahúmers + Jemshíd + Mirtás-Tází, and His Son Zohák + Kavah, the Blacksmith + Feridún + Feridún and His Three Sons + Minúchihr + Zál, the Son of Sám + The Dream of Sám + Rúdábeh + Death of Minúchihr + Nauder + Afrásiyáb Marches against Nauder + Afrásiyáb + Zau + Garshásp + Kai-Kobád + Kai-Káús + The Seven Labors of Rustem + Invasion of Irán by Afrásiyáb + The Return of Kai-Káús + Story of Sohráb + The Story of Saiáwush + Kai-Khosráu + Akwán Díw + The Story of Byzun and Maníjeh + Barzú, and His Conflict with Rustem + Súsen and Afrásiyáb + The Expedition of Gúdarz + The Death of Afrásiyáb + The Death of Kai-Khosráu + Lohurásp + Gushtásp, and the Faith of Zerdusht + The Heft-Khan of Isfendiyár + Capture of the Brazen Fortress + The Death of Isfendiyár + The Death of Rustem + Bahman + Húmaí and the Birth of Dáráb + Dáráb and Dárá + Sikander + Firdusi's Invocation + Firdusi's Satire on Mahmud + +THE RUBÁIYÁT + + Introduction + Omar Khayyám + The Rubáiyát + +THE DIVAN + + Introduction + Fragment by Háfiz + The Divan + + + + + + +THE SHÁH NÁMEH + +by + +FIRDUSI + +(_Abul Kasim Mansur_) + +[_Translated into English by James Atkinson_] + + + +The system of Sir William Jones in the printing of Oriental words has +been kept in view in the following work, viz.: The letter _a_ represents +the short vowel as in _bat, á_ with an accent the broad sound of _a_ in +_hall, i_ as in _lily, í_ with an accent as in _police, u_ as in _bull, +ú_ with an accent as in _rude, ó_ with an accent as _o_ in _pole_, the +diphthong _ai_ as in _aisle, au_ as in the German word _kraut_ or _ou_ +in _house_. + + + +INTRODUCTION + +When Sir John Lubbock, in the list of a hundred books which he +published, in the year 1886, as containing the best hundred worth +reading, mentioned the "Sháh Námeh" or "Book of Kings," written by the +Persian poet Firdusi, it is doubtful whether many of his readers had +even heard of such a poem or of its author. Yet Firdusi, "The Poet of +Paradise" (for such is the meaning of this pen-name), is as much the +national poet of Persia as Dante is of Italy or Shakespeare of England. +Abul Kasim Mansur is indeed a genuine epic poet, and for this reason his +work is of genuine interest to the lovers of Homer, Vergil, and Dante. +The qualities that go to make up an epic poem are all to be found in +this work of the Persian bard. In the first place, the "Sháh Námeh" is +written by an enthusiastic patriot, who glorifies his country, and by +that means has become recognized as the national poet of Persia. In the +second place, the poem presents us with a complete view of a certain +definite phase, and complete era of civilization; in other words, it is +a transcript from the life; a portrait-gallery of distinct and unique +individuals; a description of what was once an actual society. We find +in it delineated the Persia of the heroic age, an age of chivalry, +eclipsing, in romantic emotion, deeds of daring, scenes of love and +violence, even the mediaeval chivalry of France and Spain. Again, this +poem deals principally with the adventures of one man. For all other +parts of the work are but accessories to the single figure of Rustem, +the heroic personage whose superhuman strength, dignity, and beauty make +him to be a veritable Persian Achilles. But when we regard the details +of this work we see how deeply the literary posterity of Homer are +indebted to the Father of European Poetry. The fantastic crowd of +demons, peris, and necromancers that appear as the supernatural +machinery of the Sháh Námeh, such grotesque fancies as the serpents that +grew from the shoulders of King Zohák, or the ladder of Zerdusht, on +which he mounted from earth to heaven--all these and a hundred other +fancies compare unfavorably with the reserve of Homer, in his use of +such a personage as Circe, and the human grace and dignity which he +lends to that genial circle on Olympus, whose inextinguishable laughter +is called forth by the halting wine-bearer a god like themselves. While +we read the "Sháh Námeh" with keen interest, because from its study the +mind is enlarged and stimulated by new scenes, new ideas and +unprecedented situations, we feel grateful that the battle of Salamis +stopped the Persian invasion of Europe, which would doubtless have +resulted in changing the current of literature from that orderly and +stately course which it had taken from its fountain in a Greek +Parnassus, and diverted it into the thousand brawling rills of Persian +fancy and exaggeration. + +It is a hundred years ago that a certain physician in the employment of +the East India Company, who then represented British supremacy in Bengal +and Calcutta, published the "Story of Sohrab," a poem in heroic +couplets, being a translation of the most pathetic episode in the "Sháh +Námeh." If we compare this English poem with Jules Mohl's literal +translation of the Persian epic into French, we find that James Atkinson +stands very much in the same relation to Firdusi as Pope does to Homer. +It would be indeed absurd for an English writer to attempt to conform, +in an English version, to the vagaries of Persian idiom, or even to +attempt a literal rendering of the Persian trope. The manner of a poet +can never be faithfully reproduced in a translation, but all that is +really valuable, really affecting, in an epic poem will survive +transfusion into the frank and natural idiom of another tongue. We say +epic poem, because one of the distinguishing features in this form of +literary expression is that its action hinges on those fundamental +passions of humanity, that "touch which makes the whole world kin," +whose alphabet is the same in every latitude. The publication of +"Sohrab" was nevertheless the revelation of a new world to London +coteries, and the influence of Mr. Atkinson's work can be traced as well +in the Persian pastorals of Collins as in the oriental poems of Southey +and Moore. This metrical version of "Sohrab" is the only complete +episode of the Sháh Námeh contained in the present collection. When we +consider that the Persian original consists of some one hundred and +twenty thousand lines, it will easily be understood that a literal +rendering of the whole would make a volume whose bulk would put it far +out of reach to the general reader. Atkinson has very wisely furnished +us with a masterly _résumé_ of the chief episodes, each of which he +outlines in prose, occasionally flashing out into passages of sparkling +verse, which run through the narrative like golden threads woven into +the tissue of some storied tapestry. The literary style of the +translator is admirable. Sometimes, as when he describes the tent of +Maníjeh, he becomes as simple and direct as Homer in depicting the +palace of Alcinous. The language of his Sohrab recalls the pathos of +Vergil's Nisus and Euryalus, and the paternal love and despair of +Dante's Ugolino. But in Rustem the tears of anguish and sorrow seem to +vanish like morning dew, in the excitement of fresh adventure, and human +feeling, as depicted by Firdusi, lacks not only the refined gradations, +but also the intensity, which we see in the Florentine poet. Atkinson's +versification is rather that of Queen Anne's time than what we of the +Victorian age profess to admire in Browning and Tennyson. But it is one +of the chief praises of Tennyson that he has treated Sir Thomas Malory +very much in the same way as Mr. Atkinson has treated Abul Kasim Mansur, +by bringing the essential features of an extinct society within the +range of modern vision, and into touch with modern sympathies. All that +is of value in Firdusi, to the reader of to-day, will be found in this +version of Atkinson, while the philologist or the antiquarian can +satisfy their curiosity either in the original, or in the French +versions whose fidelity is above suspicion. For it is bare justice to +say that James Atkinson's Firdusi is one of those translations, even +though it be at the same time an abridgment, which have taken their +place in the rank of British classics. It is the highest praise that can +be given to a work of this character to say that it may be placed on the +bookshelf side by side with Jeremy Collier's "Marcus Aurelius," Leland's +"Demosthenes," and the "Montaigne" of Charles Cotton. It embalms the +genuine spirit and life of an Oriental poem in the simple yet tasteful +form of English narrative. The blending of verse and prose is a happy +expedient. If we may use the metaphor of Horace, we should say, that Mr. +Atkinson alternately trudges along on foot, and rises on the wings of +verse into the upper air. The reader follows with pleasure both his +march and his flight, and reaches the end of the volume with the +distinct impression that he has been reading a Persian poem, and all the +while forgotten that it was written in the English language. + +E.W. + + + +THE SHÁH NÁMEH + + + +KAIÚMERS + +According to the traditions of former ages, recorded in the +Bastan-námeh, the first person who established a code of laws and +exercised the functions of a monarch in Persia, was Kaiúmers. It is said +that he dwelt among the mountains, and that his garments were made of +the skins of beasts. + + His reign was thirty years, and o'er the earth + He spread the blessings of paternal sway; + Wild animals, obsequious to his will, + Assembled round his throne, and did him homage. + He had a son named Saiámuk, a youth + Of lovely form and countenance, in war + Brave and accomplished, and the dear delight + Of his fond father, who adored the boy, + And only dreaded to be parted from him. + So is it ever with the world--the parent + Still doating on his offspring. Kaiúmers + Had not a foe, save one, a hideous Demon, + Who viewed his power with envy, and aspired + To work his ruin. He, too, had a son, + Fierce as a wolf, whose days were dark and bitter, + Because the favoring heavens in kinder mood + Smiled on the monarch and his gallant heir. + --When Saiámuk first heard the Demon's aim + Was to o'erthrow his father and himself, + Surprise and indignation filled his heart, + And speedily a martial force he raised, + To punish the invader. Proudly garbed + In leopard's skin, he hastened to the war; + But when the combatants, with eager mien, + Impatient met upon the battle-field. + And both together tried their utmost strength, + Down from his enemy's dragon-grasp soon fell + The luckless son of royal Kaiúmers, + Vanquished and lifeless. Sad, unhappy fate! + +Disheartened by this disastrous event, the army immediately retreated, +and returned to Kaiúmers, who wept bitterly for the loss of his son, and +continued a long time inconsolable. But after a year had elapsed a +mysterious voice addressed him, saying:--"Be patient, and despair +not--thou hast only to send another army against the Demons, and the +triumph and the victory will be thine. + + "Drive from the earth that Demon horrible, + And sorrow will be rooted from thy heart." + +Saiámuk left a son whose name was Húsheng, whom the king loved much more +even than his father. + + Húsheng his name. There seemed in him combined, + Knowledge and goodness eminent. To him + Was given his father's dignity and station. + And the old man, his grandsire, scarcely deigned + To look upon another, his affection + For him was so unbounded. + +Kaiúmers having appointed Húsheng the leader of the army, the young hero +set out with an immense body of troops to engage the Demon and his son. +It is said that at that time every species of animal, wild and tame, was +obedient to his command. + + The savage beasts, and those of gentler kind, + Alike reposed before him, and appeared + To do him homage. + +The wolf, the tiger, the lion, the panther, and even the fowls of the +air, assembled in aid of him, and he, by the blessing of God, slew the +Demon and his offspring with his own hand. After which the army of +Kaiúmers, and the devouring animals that accompanied him in his march, +defeated and tore to pieces the scattered legions of the enemy. Upon the +death of Kaiúmers Húsheng ascended the throne of Persia. + + + +HÚSHENG + +It is recorded that Húsheng was the first who brought out fire from +stone, and from that circumstance he founded the religion of the +Fire-worshippers, calling the flame which was produced, the Light of the +Divinity. The accidental discovery of this element is thus described:-- + + Passing, one day, towards the mountain's side, + Attended by his train, surprised he saw + Something in aspect terrible--its eyes + Fountains of blood; its dreadful mouth sent forth + Volumes of smoke that darkened all the air. + Fixing his gaze upon that hideous form, + He seized a stone, and with prodigious force + Hurling it, chanced to strike a jutting rock, + Whence sparks arose, and presently a fire + O'erspread the plain, in which the monster perished. + --Thus Húsheng found the element which shed + Light through the world. The monarch prostrate bowed, + Praising the great Creator, for the good + Bestowed on man, and, pious, then he said, + "This is the Light from Heaven, sent down from God; + If ye be wise, adore and worship it!" + +It is also related that, in the evening of the day on which the luminous +flash appeared to him from the stone, he lighted an immense fire, and, +having made a royal entertainment, he called it the Festival of Siddeh. +By him the art of the blacksmith was discovered, and he taught river and +streamlet to supply the towns, and irrigate the fields for the purposes +of cultivation. And he also brought into use the fur of the sable, and +the squirrel, and the ermine. Before his time mankind had nothing for +food but fruit, and the leaves of trees and the skins of animals for +clothing. He introduced, and taught his people, the method of making +bread, and the art of cookery. + + Then ate they their own bread, for it was good, + And they were grateful to their benefactor; + Mild laws were framed--the very land rejoiced, + Smiling with cultivation; all the world + Remembering Húsheng's virtues. + +The period of his government is said to have lasted forty years, and he +was succeeded by his son, Tahúmers. + + + +TAHÚMERS + +This sovereign was also called Díw-bund, or the Binder of Demons. He +assembled together all the wise men in his dominions, to consider and +deliberate upon whatever might be of utility and advantage to the people +of God. In his days wool was spun and woven, and garments and carpets +manufactured, and various animals, such as panthers, falcons, hawks, and +syagoshes, were tamed, and taught to assist in the sports of the field. +Tahúmers had also a vizir, renowned for his wisdom and understanding. +Having one day charmed a Demon into his power by philters and magic, he +conveyed him to Tahúmers; upon which, the brethren and allies of the +prisoner, feeling ashamed and degraded by the insult, collected an army, +and went to war against the king. Tahúmers was equally in wrath when he +heard of these hostile proceedings, and having also gathered together an +army on his part, presented himself before the enemy. The name of the +leader of the Demons was Ghú. On one side the force consisted of fire, +and smoke, and Demons; on the other, brave and magnanimous warriors. +Tahúmers lifted his mace, as soon as he was opposed to the enemy, and +giving Ghú a blow on the head, killed him on the spot. The other Demons +being taken prisoners, he ordered them to be destroyed; but they +petitioned for mercy, promising, if their lives were spared, that they +would teach him a wonderful art. Tahúmers assented, and they immediately +brought their books, and pens and ink, and instructed him how to read +and write. + + They taught him letters, and his eager mind + With learning was illumined. The world was blest + With quiet and repose, Peris and Demons + Submitting to his will. + +The reign of Tahúmers lasted thirty years, and after him the monarchy +descended to Jemshíd, his son. + + + +JEMSHÍD + +Jemshíd was eminently distinguished for learning and wisdom. It is said +that coats of mail, cuirasses, and swords and various kinds of armor +were invented and manufactured in his time, and also that garments of +silk were made and worn by his people. + + Helmets and swords, with curious art they made, + Guided by Jemshíd's skill; and silks and linen + And robes of fur and ermine. Desert lands + Were cultivated; and wherever stream + Or rivulet wandered, and the soil was good, + He fixed the habitations of his people; + And there they ploughed and reaped: for in that age + All labored; none in sloth and idleness + Were suffered to remain, since indolence + Too often vanquishes the best, and turns + To nought the noblest, firmest resolution. + +Jemshíd afterwards commanded his Demons to construct a splendid palace, +and he directed his people how to make the foundations strong. + + He taught the unholy Demon-train to mingle + Water and clay, with which, formed into bricks, + The walls were built, and then high turrets, towers, + And balconies, and roofs to keep out rain + And cold, and sunshine. Every art was known + To Jemshíd, without equal in the world. + +He also made vessels for the sea and the river, and erected a +magnificent throne, embellished with pearls and precious stones; and +having seated himself upon it, commanded his Demons to raise him up in +the air, that he might be able to transport himself in a moment wherever +he chose. He named the first day of the year _Nú-rúz_ and on every +_Nú-rúz_ he made a royal feast, so that under his hospitable roof, +mortals, and Genii, and Demons, and Peris, were delighted and happy, +every one being equally regaled with wine and music. His government is +said to have continued in existence seven hundred years, and during that +period, it is added, none of his subjects suffered death, or was +afflicted with disease. + + Man seemed immortal, sickness was unknown, + And life rolled on in happiness and joy. + +After the lapse of seven hundred years, however, inordinate ambition +inflamed the heart of Jemshíd, and, having assembled all the illustrious +personages and learned men in his dominions before him, he said to +them:--"Tell me if there exists, or ever existed, in all the world, a +king of such magnificence and power as I am?" They unanimously +replied:--"Thou art alone, the mightiest, the most victorious: there is +no equal to thee!" The just God beheld this foolish pride and vanity +with displeasure, and, as a punishment, cast him from the government of +an empire into a state of utter degradation and misery. + + All looked upon the throne, and heard and saw + Nothing but Jemshíd, he alone was king, + Absorbing every thought; and in their praise, + And adoration of that mortal man, + Forgot the worship of the great Creator. + Then proudly thus he to his nobles spoke, + Intoxicated with their loud applause, + "I am unequalled, for to me the earth + Owes all its science, never did exist + A sovereignty like mine, beneficent + And glorious, driving from the populous land + Disease and want. Domestic joy and rest + Proceed from me, all that is good and great + Waits my behest; the universal voice + Declares the splendor of my government, + Beyond whatever human heart conceived, + And me the only monarch of the world." + --Soon as these words had parted from his lips, + Words impious, and insulting to high heaven, + His earthly grandeur faded--then all tongues + Grew clamorous and bold. The day of Jemshíd + Passed into gloom, his brightness all obscured. + What said the Moralist? "When thou wert a king + Thy subjects were obedient, but whoever + Proudly neglects the worship of his God, + Brings desolation on his house and home." + --And when he marked the insolence of his people, + He knew the wrath of Heaven had been provoked, + And terror overcame him. + + + +MIRTÁS-TÁZÍ, AND HIS SON ZOHÁK + +The old historians relate that Mirtás was the name of a king of the +Arabs; and that he had a thousand animals which gave milk, and the milk +of these animals he always distributed in charity among the poor. God +was pleased with his goodness, and accordingly increased his favor upon +him. + + Goats, sheep, and camels, yielded up their store + Of balmy milk, with which the generous king + Nourished the indigent and helpless poor. + +Mirtás had a son called Zohák, who possessed ten thousand Arab horses, +or Tazís, upon which account he was surnamed Bíwurasp; biwur meaning ten +thousand, and asp a horse. One day Iblís, the Evil Spirit, appeared to +Zohák in the disguise of a good and virtuous man, and conversed with him +in the most agreeable manner. + + Pleased with his eloquence, the youth + Suspected not the speaker's truth; + But praised the sweet impassioned strain, + And asked him to discourse again. + +Iblís replied, that he was master of still sweeter converse, +but he could not address it to him, unless he first entered into +a solemn compact, and engaged never on any pretence to divulge +his secret. + + Zohák in perfect innocence of heart + Assented to the oath, and bound himself + Never to tell the secret; all he wished + Was still to hear the good man's honey words. + +But as soon as the oath was taken, Iblís said to him: "Thy father has +become old and worthless, and thou art young, and wise, and valiant. Let +him no longer stand in thy way, but kill him; the robes of sovereignty +are ready, and better adapted for thee." + + The youth in agony of mind, + Heard what the stranger now designed; + Could crime like this be understood! + The shedding of a parent's blood! + Iblís would no excuses hear-- + The oath was sworn--his death was near. + "For if thou think'st to pass it by, + The peril's thine, and thou must die!" + +Zohák was terrified and subdued by this warning, and asked Iblís in what +manner he proposed to sacrifice his father. Iblís replied, that he would +dig a pit on the path-way which led to Mirtás-Tázi's house of prayer. +Accordingly he secretly made a deep well upon the spot most convenient +for the purpose, and covered it over with grass. At night, as the king +was going, as usual, to the house of prayer, he fell into the pit, and +his legs and arms being broken by the fall, he shortly expired. O +righteous Heaven! that father too, whose tenderness would not suffer +even the winds to blow upon his son too roughly--and that son, by the +temptation of Iblís, to bring such a father to a miserable end! + + Thus urged to crime, through cruel treachery, + Zohák usurped his pious father's throne. + +When Iblís found that he had got Zohák completely in his power, he told +him that, if he followed his counsel and advice implicitly, he would +become the greatest monarch of the age, the sovereign of the seven +climes, signifying the whole world. Zohák agreed to every thing, and +Iblís continued to bestow upon him the most devoted attention and +flattery for the purpose of moulding him entirely to his will. To such +an extreme degree had his authority attained, that he became the sole +director even in the royal kitchen, and prepared for Zohák the most +delicious and savory food imaginable; for in those days bread and fruit +only were the usual articles of food. Iblís himself was the original +inventor of the cooking art. Zohák was delighted with the dishes, made +from every variety of bird and four-footed animal. Every day something +new and rare was brought to his table, and every day Iblís increased in +favor. But an egg was to him the most delicate of all! "What can there +be superior to this?" said he. "To-morrow," replied Iblís, "thou shalt +have something better, and of a far superior kind." + + Next day he brought delicious fare, and dressed + In manner exquisite to please the eye, + As well as taste; partridge and pheasant rich, + A banquet for a prince. Zohák beheld + Delighted the repast, and eagerly + Relished its flavor; then in gratitude, + And admiration of the matchless art + Which thus had ministered to his appetite, + He cried:--"For this, whatever thou desirest, + And I can give, is thine." Iblís was glad, + And, little anxious, had but one request-- + One unimportant wish--it was to kiss + The monarch's naked shoulder--a mere whim. + And promptly did Zohák comply, for he + Was unsuspicious still, and stripped himself, + Ready to gratify that simple wish. + + Iblís then kissed the part with fiendish glee, + And vanished in an instant. + + From the touch + Sprang two black serpents! Then a tumult rose + Among the people, searching for Iblís + Through all the palace, but they sought in vain. + + To young and old it was a marvellous thing; + The serpents writhed about as seeking food, + And learned men to see the wonder came, + And sage magicians tried to charm away + That dreadful evil, but no cure was found. + +Some time afterwards Iblís returned to Zohák, but in the shape of a +physician, and told him that it was according to his own horoscope that +he suffered in this manner--it was, in short, his destiny--and that the +serpents would continue connected with him throughout his life, +involving him in perpetual misery. Zohák sunk into despair, upon the +assurance of there being no remedy for him, but Iblís again roused him +by saying, that if the serpents were fed daily with human brains, which +would probably kill them, his life might be prolonged, and made easy. + + If life has any charm for thee, + The brain of man their food must be! + +With the adoption of this deceitful stratagem, Iblís was highly pleased, +and congratulated himself upon the success of his wicked exertions, +thinking that in this manner a great portion of the human race would be +destroyed. He was not aware that his craft and cunning had no influence +in the house of God; and that the descendants of Adam are continually +increasing. + +When the people of Irán and Túrán heard that Zohák kept near him two +devouring serpents, alarm and terror spread everywhere, and so universal +was the dread produced by this intelligence, that the nobles of Persia +were induced to abandon their allegiance to Jemshíd, and, turning +through fear to Zohák, confederated with the Arab troops against their +own country. Jemshíd continued for some time to resist their efforts, +but was at last defeated, and became a wanderer on the face of the +earth. + + To him existence was a burden now, + The world a desert--for Zohák had gained + The imperial crown, and from all acts and deeds + Of royal import, razed out the very name + Of Jemshíd hateful in the tyrant's eyes. + +The Persian government having fallen into the hands of the usurper, he +sent his spies in every direction for the purpose of getting possession +of Jemshíd wherever he might be found, but their labor was not crowned +with success. The unfortunate wanderer, after experiencing numberless +misfortunes, at length took refuge in Zábulistán. + + Flying from place to place, through wilderness, + Wide plain, and mountain, veiled from human eye, + Hungry and worn out with fatigue and sorrow, + He came to Zábul. + +The king of Zábulistán, whose name was Gúreng, had a daughter of extreme +beauty. She was also remarkable for her mental endowments, and was +familiar with warlike exercises. + + So graceful in her movements, and so sweet, + Her very look plucked from the breast of age + The root of sorrow--her wine-sipping lips, + And mouth like sugar, cheeks all dimpled o'er + With smiles, and glowing as the summer rose-- + Won every heart. + +This damsel, possessed of these beauties and charms, was accustomed to +dress herself in the warlike habiliments of a man, and to combat with +heroes. She was then only fifteen years of age, but so accomplished in +valor, judgment, and discretion, that Minúchihr, who had in that year +commenced hostile operations against her father, was compelled to +relinquish his pretensions, and submit to the gallantry which she +displayed on that occasion. Her father's realm was saved by her +magnanimity. Many kings were her suitors, but Gúreng would not give his +consent to her marriage with any of them. He only agreed that she should +marry the sovereign whom she might spontaneously love. + + It must be love, and love alone,[1] + That binds thee to another's throne; + In this my father has no voice, + Thine the election, thine the choice. + +The daughter of Gúreng had a Kábul woman for her nurse, who was deeply +skilled in all sorts of magic and sorcery. + + The old enchantress well could say, + What would befall on distant day; + And by her art omnipotent, + Could from the watery element + Draw fire, and with her magic breath, + Seal up a dragon's eyes in death. + Could from the flint-stone conjure dew; + The moon and seven stars she knew; + And of all things invisible + To human sight, this crone could tell. + +This Kábul sorceress had long before intimated to the damsel that, +conformably with her destiny, which had been distinctly ascertained from +the motions of the heavenly bodies, she would, after a certain time, be +married to King Jemshíd, and bear him a beautiful son. The damsel was +overjoyed at these tidings, and her father received them with equal +pleasure, refusing in consequence the solicitations of every other +suitor. Now according to the prophecy, Jemshíd arrived at the city of +Zábul in the spring season, when the roses were in bloom; and it so +happened that the garden of King Gúreng was in the way, and also that +his daughter was amusing herself at the time in the garden. Jemshíd +proceeded in that direction, but the keepers of the garden would not +allow him to pass, and therefore, fatigued and dispirited, he sat down +by the garden-door under the shade of a tree. Whilst he was sitting +there a slave-girl chanced to come out of the garden, and, observing +him, was surprised at his melancholy and forlorn condition. She said to +him involuntarily: "Who art thou?" and Jemshíd raising up his eyes, +replied:--"I was once possessed of wealth and lived in great affluence, +but I am now abandoned by fortune, and have come from a distant country. +Would to heaven I could be blessed with a few cups of wine, my fatigue +and affliction might then be relieved." The girl smiled, and returned +hastily to the princess, and told her that a young man, wearied with +travelling, was sitting at the garden gate, whose countenance was more +lovely even than that of her mistress, and who requested to have a few +cups of wine. When the damsel heard such high praise of the stranger's +features she was exceedingly pleased, and said: "He asks only for wine, +but I will give him both wine and music, and a beautiful mistress +beside." + + This saying, she repaired towards the gate, + In motion graceful as the waving cypress, + Attended by her hand-maid; seeing him, + She thought he was a warrior of Irán + With spreading shoulders, and his loins well bound. + His visage pale as the pomegranate flower, + He looked like light in darkness. Warm emotions + Rose in her heart, and softly thus she spoke: + "Grief-broken stranger, rest thee underneath + These shady bowers; if wine can make thee glad, + Enter this pleasant place, and drink thy fill." + +Whilst the damsel was still speaking and inviting Jemshíd into the +garden, he looked at her thoughtfully, and hesitated; and she said to +him: "Why do you hesitate? I am permitted by my father to do what I +please, and my heart is my own. + + "Stranger, my father is the monarch mild + Of Zábulistán, and I his only child; + On me is all his fond affection shown; + My wish is his, on me he dotes alone." + +Jemshíd had before heard of the character and renown of this +extraordinary damsel, yet he was not disposed to comply with her +entreaty; but contemplating again her lovely face, his heart became +enamoured, when she took him by the hand and led him along the beautiful +walks. + + With dignity and elegance she passed-- + As moves the mountain partridge through the meads; + Her tresses richly falling to her feet, + And filling with perfume the softened breeze. + +In their promenade they arrived at the basin of a fountain, near which +they seated themselves upon royal carpets, and the damsel having placed +Jemshíd in such a manner that they might face each other, she called for +music and wine. + + But first the rose-cheeked handmaids gathered round, + And washed obsequiously the stranger's feet; + Then on the margin of the silvery lake + Attentive sate. + +The youth, after this, readily took the wine and refreshments which were +ordered by the princess. + + Three cups he drank with eager zest, + Three cups of ruby wine; + Which banished sorrow from his breast, + For memory left no sign + Of past affliction; not a trace + Remained upon his heart, or smiling face. + +Whilst he was drinking, the princess observed his peculiar action and +elegance of manner, and instantly said in her heart: "This must be a +king!" She then offered him some more food, as he had come a long +journey, and from a distant land, but he only asked for more wine. "Is +your fondness for wine so great?" said she. And he replied: "With wine I +have no enemy; yet, without it I can be resigned and contented. + + "Whilst drinking wine I never see + The frowning face of my enemy; + Drink freely of the grape, and nought + Can give the soul one mournful thought; + Wine is a bride of witching power, + And wisdom is her marriage dower; + Wine can the purest joy impart, + Wine inspires the saddest heart; + Wine gives cowards valour's rage, + Wine gives youth to tottering age; + Wine gives vigour to the weak, + And crimson to the pallid cheek; + And dries up sorrow, as the sun + Absorbs the dew it shines upon." + +From the voice and eloquence of the speaker she now conjectured that +this certainly must be King Jemshíd, and she felt satisfied that her +notions would soon be realized. At this moment she recollected that +there was a picture of Jemshíd in her father's gallery, and thought of +sending for it to compare the features; but again she considered that +the person before her was certainly and truly Jemshíd, and that the +picture would be unnecessary on the occasion. + +It is said that two ring-doves, a male and female, happened to alight on +the garden wall near the fountain where they were sitting, and began +billing and cooing in amorous play, so that seeing them together in such +soft intercourse, blushes overspread the cheeks of the princess, who +immediately called for her bow and arrows. When they were brought she +said to Jemshíd, "Point out which of them I shall hit, and I will bring +it to the ground." Jemshíd replied: "Where a man is, a woman's aid is +not required--give me the bow, and mark my skill; + + "However brave a woman may appear, + Whatever strength of arm she may possess, + She is but half a man!" + +Upon this observation being made, the damsel turned her head aside +ashamed, and gave him the bow. Her heart was full of love. Jemshíd took +the bow, and selecting a feathered arrow out of her hand, said:--"Now +for a wager. If I hit the female, shall the lady whom I most admire in +this company be mine?" The damsel assented. Jemshíd drew the string, and +the arrow struck the female dove so skilfully as to transfix both the +wings, and pin them together. The male ring-dove flew away, but moved by +natural affection it soon returned, and settled on the same spot as +before. The bow was said to be so strong that there was not a warrior in +the whole kingdom who could even draw the string; and when the damsel +witnessed the dexterity of the stranger, and the ease with which he used +the weapon, she thought within her heart, "There can be no necessity for +the picture; I am certain that this can be no other than the King +Jemshíd, the son of Tahúmers, called the Binder of Demons." Then she +took the bow from the hand of Jemshíd, and observed: "The male bird has +returned to its former place, if my aim be successful shall the man whom +I choose in this company be my husband?" Jemshíd instantly understood +her meaning. At that moment the Kábul nurse appeared, and the young +princess communicated to her all that had occurred. The nurse leisurely +examined Jemshíd from head to foot with a slave-purchaser's eye, and +knew him, and said to her mistress--"All that I saw in thy horoscope and +foretold, is now in the course of fulfilment. God has brought Jemshíd +hither to be thy spouse. Be not regardless of thy good fortune, and the +Almighty will bless thee with a son, who will be the conqueror of the +world. The signs and tokens of thy destiny I have already explained." +The damsel had become greatly enamoured of the person of the stranger +before she knew who he was, and now being told by her nurse that he was +Jemshíd himself, her affection was augmented twofold. + + The happy tidings, blissful to her heart, + Increased the ardour of her love for him. + +And now the picture was brought to the princess, who, finding the +resemblance exact, put it into Jemshíd's hand. Jemshíd, in secretly +recognizing his own likeness, was forcibly reminded of his past glory +and happiness, and he burst into tears. + + The memory of the diadem and throne + No longer his, came o'er him, and his soul + Was rent with anguish. + +The princess said to him: "Why at the commencement of our friendship +dost thou weep? Art thou discontented--dissatisfied, unhappy? and am I +the cause?" Jemshíd replied: "No, it is simply this; those who have +feeling, and pity the sufferings of others, weep involuntarily. I pity +the misfortunes of Jemshíd, driven as he is by adversity from the +splendor of a throne, and reduced to a state of destitution and ruin. +But he must now be dead; devoured, perhaps, by the wolves and lions of +the forest." The nurse and princess, however, were convinced, from the +sweetness of his voice and discourse, that he could be no other than +Jemshíd himself, and taking him aside, they said: "Speak truly, art thou +not Jemshíd?" But he denied himself. Again, they observed: "What says +this picture?" To this he replied; "It is not impossible that I may be +like Jemshíd in feature; for surely there may be in the world two men +like each other?" And notwithstanding all the efforts made by the damsel +and her nurse to induce Jemshíd to confess, he still resolutely denied +himself. Several times she assured him she would keep his secret, if he +had one, but that she was certain of his being Jemshíd. Still he denied +himself. "This nurse of mine, whom thou seest," said she, "has often +repeated to me the good tidings that I should be united to Jemshíd, and +bear him a son. My heart instinctively acknowledged thee at first sight: +then wherefore this denial of the truth? Many kings have solicited my +hand in marriage, but all have been rejected, as I am destined to be +thine, and united to no other." Dismissing now all her attendants, she +remained with the nurse and Jemshíd, and then resumed:-- + + "How long hath sleep forsaken me? how long + Hath my fond heart been kept awake by love? + Hope still upheld me--give me one kind look, + And I will sacrifice my life for thee; + Come, take my life, for it is thine for ever." + +Saying this, the damsel began to weep, and shedding a flood of tears, +tenderly reproached him for not acknowledging the truth. Jemshíd was at +length moved by her affection and sorrow, and thus addressed +her:--"There are two considerations which at present prevent the truth +being told. One of them is my having a powerful enemy, and Heaven forbid +that he should obtain information of my place of refuge. The other is, I +never intrust my secrets to a woman! + + "Fortune I dread, since fortune is my foe, + And womankind are seldom known to keep + Another's secret. To be poor and safe, + Is better far than wealth exposed to peril." + To this the princess: "Is it so decreed, + That every woman has two tongues, two hearts? + All false alike, their tempers all the same? + No, no! could I disloyally betray thee? + I who still love thee better than my life?" + +Jemshíd found it impossible to resist the damsel's incessant entreaties +and persuasive tenderness, mingled as they were with tears of sorrow. +Vanquished thus by the warmth of her affections, he told her his name, +and the history of his misfortunes. She then ardently seized his hand, +overjoyed at the disclosure, and taking him privately to her own +chamber, they were married according to the customs of her country. + + Him to the secret bower with blushing cheek + Exultingly she led, and mutual bliss, + Springing from mutual tenderness and love, + Entranced their souls. + +When Gúreng the king found that his daughter's visits to him became less +frequent than usual, he set his spies to work, and was not long in +ascertaining the cause of her continued absence. She had married without +his permission, and he was in great wrath. It happened, too, at this +time that the bride was pale and in delicate health. + + The mystery soon was manifest, + And thus the king his child addrest, + Whilst anger darkened o'er his brow:-- + "What hast thou done, ungrateful, now? + Why hast thou flung, in evil day, + The veil of modesty away? + That cheek the bloom of spring displayed, + Now all is withered, all decayed; + But daughters, as the wise declare, + Are ever false, if they be fair." + + Incensed at words so sharp and strong, + The damsel thus repelled the wrong:-- + "Me, father, canst thou justly blame? + I never, never, brought thee shame; + With me can sin and crime accord, + When Jemshíd is my wedded lord?" + +After this precipitate avowal, the Kábul nurse, of many spells, +instantly took up her defence, and informed the king that the prophecy +she had formerly communicated to him was on the point of fulfilment, and +that the Almighty having, in the course of destiny, brought Jemshíd into +his kingdom, the princess, according to the same planetary influence, +would shortly become a mother. + + And now the damsel grovels on the ground + Before King Gúreng. "Well thou know'st," she cries, + "From me no evil comes. Whether in arms, + Or at the banquet, honour guides me still: + And well thou know'st thy royal will pronounced + That I should be unfettered in my choice, + And free to take the husband I preferred. + This I have done; and to the greatest king + The world can boast, my fortunes are united, + To Jemshíd, the most perfect of mankind." + +With this explanation the king expressed abundant and unusual +satisfaction. His satisfaction, however, did not arise from the +circumstance of the marriage, and the new connection it established, but +from the opportunity it afforded him of betraying Jemshíd, and +treacherously sending him bound to Zohák, which he intended to do, in +the hopes of being magnificently rewarded. Exulting with this +anticipation, he said to her smiling:-- + + "Glad tidings thou hast given to me, + My glory owes its birth to thee; + I bless the day, and bless the hour, + Which placed this Jemshíd in my power. + Now to Zohák, a captive bound, + I send the wanderer thou hast found; + For he who charms the monarch's eyes, + With this long-sought, this noble prize, + On solemn word and oath, obtains + A wealthy kingdom for his pains." + +On hearing these cruel words the damsel groaned, and wept exceedingly +before her father, and said to him: "Oh, be not accessory to the murder +of such a king! Wealth and kingdoms pass away, but a bad name remains +till the day of doom. + + "Turn thee, my father, from this dreadful thought, + And save his sacred blood: let not thy name + Be syllabled with horror through the world, + For such an act as this. When foes are slain, + It is enough, but keep the sword away + From friends and kindred; shun domestic crime. + Fear him who giveth life, and strength, and power, + For goodness is most blessed. On the day + Of judgment thou wilt then be unappalled. + But if determined to divide us, first + Smite off this head, and let thy daughter die." + +So deep and violent was the grief of the princess, and her lamentations +so unceasing, that the father became softened into compassion, and, on +her account, departed from the resolution he had made. He even promised +to furnish Jemshíd with possessions, with treasure, and an army, and +requested her to give him the consolation he required, adding that he +would see him in the morning in his garden. + + The heart-alluring damsel instant flew + To tell the welcome tidings to her lord. + +Next day King Gúreng proceeded to the garden, and had an interview with +Jemshíd, to whom he expressed the warmest favor and affection; but +notwithstanding all he said, Jemshíd could place no confidence in his +professions, and was anxious to effect his escape. He was, indeed, soon +convinced of his danger, for he had a private intimation that the king's +vizirs were consulting together on the expedience of securing his +person, under the apprehension that Zohák would be invading the country, +and consigning it to devastation and ruin, if his retreat was +discovered. He therefore took to flight. + +Jemshíd first turned his steps towards Chín, and afterwards into Ind. He +had travelled a great distance in that beautiful country, and one day +came to a tower, under whose shadow he sought a little repose, for the +thoughts of his melancholy and disastrous condition kept him almost +constantly awake. + + And am I thus to perish? Thus forlorn, + To mingle with the dust? Almighty God! + Was ever mortal born to such a fate, + A fate so sad as mine! O that I never + Had drawn the breath of life, to perish thus! + +Exhausted by the keenness of his affliction Jemshíd at length fell +asleep. Zohák, in the meanwhile, had despatched an envoy, with an escort +of troops, to the Khakán of Chín, and at that moment the cavalcade +happened to be passing by the tower where Jemshíd was reposing. The +envoy, attracted to the spot, immediately recognized him, and awakening +him to a sense of this new misfortune, secured the despairing and +agonized wanderer, and sent him to Zohák. + + He saw a person sleeping on the ground, + And knew that it was Jemshíd. Overjoyed, + He bound his feet with chains, and mounted him + Upon a horse, a prisoner. + + What a world! + No place of rest for man! Fix not thy heart, + Vain mortal! on this tenement of life, + On earthly pleasures; think of Jemshíd's fate; + His glory reached the Heavens, and now this world + Has bound the valiant monarch's limbs in fetters, + And placed its justice in the hands of slaves. + +When Zohák received intelligence of the apprehension of his enemy, he +ordered him to be brought before the throne that he might enjoy the +triumph. + + All fixed their gaze upon the captive king, + Loaded with chains; his hands behind his back; + The ponderous fetters passing from his neck + Down to his feet; oppressed with shame he stood, + Like the narcissus bent with heavy dew. + Zohák received him with a scornful smile, + Saying, "Where is thy diadem, thy throne, + Where is thy kingdom, where thy sovereign rule; + Thy laws and royal ordinances--where, + Where are they now? What change is this that fate + Has wrought upon thee?" Jemshíd thus rejoined: + "Unjustly am I brought in chains before thee, + Betrayed, insulted--thou the cause of all, + And yet thou wouldst appear to feel my wrongs!" + Incensed at this defiance, mixed with scorn, + Fiercely Zohák replied, "Then choose thy death; + Shall I behead thee, stab thee, or impale thee, + Or with an arrow's point transfix thy heart! + What is thy choice?"-- + + "Since I am in thy power, + Do with me what thou wilt--why should I dread + Thy utmost vengeance, why express a wish + To save my body from a moment's pain!" + +As soon as Zohák heard these words he resolved upon a horrible deed of +vengeance. He ordered two planks to be brought, and Jemshíd being +fastened down between them, his body was divided the whole length with a +saw, making two figures of Jemshíd out of one! + + Why do mankind upon this fleeting world + Place their affections, wickedness alone + Is nourished into freshness; sounds of death, too, + Are ever on the gale to wear out life. + My heart is satisfied--O Heaven! no more, + Free me at once from this continual sorrow. + +It was not long before tidings of the foul proceedings, which put an end +to the existence of the unfortunate Jemshíd, reached Zábulistán. The +princess, his wife, on hearing of his fate, wasted away with +inconsolable grief, and at last took poison to unburden herself of +insupportable affliction. + +It is related that Jemshíd had two sisters, named Shahrnáz and Arnawáz. +They had been both seized, and conveyed to Zohák by his people, and +continued in confinement for some time in the King's harem, but they +were afterwards released by Feridún. + +The tyrant's cruelty and oppression had become intolerable. He was +constantly shedding blood, and committing every species of crime. + + The serpents still on human brains were fed, + And every day two youthful victims bled; + The sword, still ready--thirsting still to strike, + Warrior and slave were sacrificed alike. + +The career of Zohák himself, however, was not unvisited by terrors. One +night he dreamt that he was attacked by three warriors; two of them of +large stature, and one of them small. The youngest struck him a blow on +the head with his mace, bound his hands, and casting a rope round his +neck, dragged him along in the presence of crowds of people. Zohák +screamed, and sprung up from his sleep in the greatest horror. The +females of his harem were filled with amazement when they beheld the +terrified countenance of the king who, in reply to their inquiries, +said, trembling: "This is a dream too dreadful to be concealed." He +afterwards called together the Múbids, or wise men of his court; and +having communicated to them the particulars of what had appeared to him +in his sleep, commanded them to give him a faithful interpretation of +the dream. The Múbids foresaw in this vision the approaching declension +of his power and dominion, but were afraid to explain their opinions, +because they were sure that their lives would be sacrificed if the true +interpretation was given to him. Three days were consumed under the +pretence of studying more scrupulously all the signs and appearances, +and still not one of them had courage to speak out. On the fourth day +the king grew angry, and insisted upon the dream being interpreted. In +this dilemma, the Múbids said, "Then, if the truth must be told, without +evasion, thy life approaches to an end, and Feridún, though yet unborn, +will be thy successor,"--"But who was it," inquired Zohák impatiently, +"that struck the blow on my head?" The Múbids declared, with fear and +trembling, "it was the apparition of Feridún himself, who is destined to +smite thee on the head."--"But why," rejoined Zohák, "does he wish to +injure me?"--"Because, his father's blood being spilt by thee, vengeance +falls into his hands." Hearing this interpretation of his dream, the +king sunk senseless on the ground; and when he recovered, he could +neither sleep nor take food, but continued overwhelmed with sorrow and +misery. The light of his day was forever darkened. + +Abtín was the name of Feridún's father, and that of his mother Faránuk, +of the race of Tahúmers. Zohák, therefore, stimulated to further cruelty +by the prophecy, issued an order that every person belonging to the +family of the Kais, wherever found, should be seized and fettered, and +brought to him. Abtín had long avoided discovery, continuing to reside +in the most retired and solitary places; but one day his usual +circumspection forsook him, and he ventured beyond his limits. This +imprudent step was dreadfully punished, for the spies of Zohák fell in +with him, recognized him, and carrying him to the king, he was +immediately put to death. When the mother of Feridún heard of this +sanguinary catastrophe, she took up her infant and fled. It is said that +Feridún was at that time only two months old. In her flight, the mother +happened to arrive at some pasturage ground. The keeper of the pasture +had a cow named Pur'máieh, which yielded abundance of milk, and he gave +it away in charity. In consequence of the grief and distress of mind +occasioned by the murder of her husband, Faránuk's milk dried up in her +breasts, and she was therefore under the necessity of feeding the child +with the milk from the cow. She remained there one night, and would have +departed in the morning; but considering the deficiency of milk, and the +misery in which she was involved, continually afraid of being discovered +and known, she did not know what to do. At length she thought it best to +leave Feridún with the keeper of the pasture, and resigning him to the +protection of God, went herself to the mountain Alberz. The keeper +readily complied with the tenderest wishes of the mother, and nourished +the child with the fondness and affection of a parent during the space +of three years. After that period had elapsed, deep sorrow continuing to +afflict the mind of Faránuk, she returned secretly to the old man of the +pasture, for the purpose of reclaiming and conveying Feridún to a safer +place of refuge upon the mountain Alberz. The keeper said to her: "Why +dost thou take the child to the mountain? he will perish there;" but she +replied that God Almighty had inspired a feeling in her heart that it +was necessary to remove him. It was a divine inspiration, and verified +by the event. + +Intelligence having at length reached Zohák that the son of Abtín was +nourished and protected by the keeper of the pasture, he himself +proceeded with a large force to the spot, where he put to death the +keeper and all his tribe, and also the cow which had supplied milk to +Feridún, whom he sought for in vain. + + He found the dwelling of his infant-foe, + And laid it in the dust; the very ground + Was punished for the sustenance it gave him. + +The ancient records relate that a dervish happened to have taken up his +abode in the mountain Alberz, and that Faránuk committed her infant to +his fostering care. The dervish generously divided with the mother and +son all the food and comforts which God gave him, and at the same time +he took great pains in storing the mind of Feridún with various kinds of +knowledge. One day he said to the mother: "The person foretold by wise +men and astrologers as the destroyer of Zohák and his tyranny, is thy +son! + + "This child to whom thou gavest birth, + Will be the monarch of the earth;" + +and the mother, from several concurring indications and signs, held a +similar conviction. + +When Feridún had attained his sixteenth year, he descended from the +mountain, and remained for a time on the plain beneath. He inquired of +his mother why Zohák had put his father to death, and Faránuk then told +him the melancholy story; upon hearing which, he resolved to be revenged +on the tyrant. His mother endeavored to divert him from his +determination, observing that he was young, friendless, and alone, +whilst his enemy was the master of the world, and surrounded by armies. +"Be not therefore precipitate," said she. "If it is thy destiny to +become a king, wait till the Almighty shall bless thee with means +sufficient for the purpose." + + Displeased, the youth his mother's caution heard, + And meditating vengeance on the head + Of him who robbed him of a father, thus + Impatiently replied:--"'Tis Heaven inspires me; + Led on by Heaven, this arm will quickly bring + The tyrant from his palace, to the dust." + "Imprudent boy!" the anxious mother said; + "Canst thou contend against imperial power? + Must I behold thy ruin? Pause awhile, + And perish not in this wild enterprise." + +It is recorded that Zohák's dread of Feridún was so great, that day by +day he became more irritable, wasting away in bitterness of spirit, for +people of all ranks kept continually talking of the young invader, and +were daily expecting his approach. At last he came, and Zohák was +subdued, and his power extinguished. + + + +KAVAH, THE BLACKSMITH + +Zohák having one day summoned together all the nobles and philosophers +of the kingdom, he said to them: "I find that a young enemy has risen up +against me; but notwithstanding his tender years, there is no safety +even with an apparently insignificant foe. I hear, too, that though +young, he is distinguished for his prowess and wisdom; yet I fear not +him, but the change of fortune. I wish therefore to assemble a large +army, consisting of Men, Demons, and Peris, that this enemy may be +surrounded, and conquered. And, further, since a great enterprise is on +the eve of being undertaken, it will be proper in future to keep a +register or muster-roll of all the people of every age in my dominions, +and have it revised annually." The register, including both old and +young, was accordingly prepared. + +At that period there lived a man named Kavah, a blacksmith, remarkably +strong and brave, and who had a large family. Upon the day on which it +fell to the lot of two of his children to be killed to feed the +serpents, he rose up with indignation in presence of the king, and said: + + "Thou art the king, but wherefore on my head + Cast fire and ashes? If thou hast the form + Of hissing dragon, why to me be cruel? + Why give the brains of my beloved children + As serpent-food, and talk of doing justice?" + + At this bold speech the monarch was dismayed, + And scarcely knowing what he did, released + The blacksmith's sons. How leapt the father's heart, + How warmly he embraced his darling boys! + But now Zohák directs that Kavah's name + Shall be inscribed upon the register. + Soon as the blacksmith sees it written there, + Wrathful he turns towards the chiefs assembled, + Exclaiming loud: "Are ye then men, or what, + Leagued with a Demon!" All astonished heard, + And saw him tear the hated register, + And cast it under foot with rage and scorn. + +Kavah having thus reviled the king bitterly, and destroyed the register +of blood, departed from the court, and took his children along with him. +After he had gone away, the nobles said to the king: + + "Why should reproaches, sovereign of the world, + Be thus permitted? Why the royal scroll + Torn in thy presence, with a look and voice + Of proud defiance, by the rebel blacksmith? + So fierce his bearing, that he seems to be + A bold confederate of this Feridún." + Zohák replied: "I know not what o'ercame me, + But when I saw him with such vehemence + Of grief and wild distraction, strike his forehead, + Lamenting o'er his children, doomed to death, + Amazement seized my heart, and chained my will. + What may become of this, Heaven only knows, + For none can pierce the veil of destiny." + + Kavah, meanwhile, with warning voice set forth + What wrongs the nation suffered, and there came + Multitudes round him, who called out aloud + For justice! justice! On his javelin's point + He fixed his leathern apron for a banner, + And lifting it on high, he went abroad + To call the people to a task of vengeance. + Wherever it was seen crowds followed fast, + Tired of the cruel tyranny they suffered. + "Let us unite with Feridún," he cried, + "And from Zohák's oppression we are free!" + And still he called aloud, and all obeyed + Who heard him, high and low. Anxious he sought + For Feridún, not knowing his retreat: + But still he hoped success would crown his search. + + The hour arrived, and when he saw the youth, + Instinctively he knew him, and thanked Heaven + For that good fortune. Then the leathern banner + Was splendidly adorned with gold and jewels, + And called the flag of Kavah. From that time + It was a sacred symbol; every king + In future, on succeeding to the throne, + Did honor to that banner, the true sign + Of royalty, in veneration held. + +Feridún, aided by the directions and advice of the blacksmith, now +proceeded against Zohák. His mother wept to see him depart, and +continually implored the blessing of God upon him. He had two elder +brothers, whom he took along with him. Desirous of having a mace formed +like the head of a cow, he requested Kavah to make one of iron, and it +was accordingly made in the shape he described. In his progress, he +visited a shrine or place of pilgrimage frequented by the worshippers of +God, where he besought inspiration and aid, and where he was taught by a +radiant personage the mysteries of the magic art, receiving from him a +key to every secret. + + Bright beamed his eye, with firmer step he strode, + His smiling cheek with warmer crimson glowed. + +When his two brothers saw his altered mien, the pomp and splendor of his +appearance, they grew envious of his good fortune, and privately +meditated his fall. One day they found him asleep at the foot of a +mountain, and they immediately went to the top and rolled down a heavy +fragment of rock upon him with the intention of crushing him to death; +but the clattering noise of the stone awoke him, and, instantly +employing the knowledge of sorcery which had been communicated to him, +the stone was suddenly arrested by him in its course. The brothers +beheld this with astonishment, and hastening down the mountain, cried +aloud: "We know not how the stone was loosened from its place: God +forbid that it should have done any injury to Feridún." Feridún, +however, was well aware of this being the evil work of his brothers, but +he took no notice of the conspiracy, and instead of punishing them, +raised them to higher dignity and consequence. + +They saw that Kavah directed the route of Feridún over the mountainous +tracts and plains which lie contiguous to the banks of the Dijleh, or +Tigris, close to the city of Bagdad. Upon reaching that river, they +called for boats, but got no answer from the ferryman; at which Feridún +was enraged, and immediately plunged, on horseback, into the foaming +stream. All his army followed without delay, and with the blessing of +God arrived on the other side in safety. He then turned toward the +Bait-el-Mukaddus, built by Zohák. In the Pahlavi language it was called +Kunuk-duz-mokt. The tower of this edifice was so lofty that it might be +seen at the distance of many leagues, and within that tower Zohák had +formed a talisman of miraculous virtues. Feridún soon overthrew this +talisman, and destroyed or vanquished successively with his mace all the +enchanted monsters and hideous shapes which appeared before him. He +captured the whole of the building, and released all the black-eyed +damsels who were secluded there, and among them Shahrnáz and Arnawáz, +the two sisters of Jemshíd before alluded to. He then ascended the empty +throne of Zohák, which had been guarded by the talisman, and the Demons +under his command; and when he heard that the tyrant had gone with an +immense army toward Ind, in quest of his new enemy, and had left his +treasury with only a small force at the seat of his government, he +rejoiced, and appropriated the throne and the treasure to himself. + + From their dark solitudes the Youth brought forth + The black-haired damsels, lovely as the sun, + And Jemshíd's sisters, long imprisoned there; + And gladly did the inmates of that harem + Pour out their gratitude on being freed + From that terrific monster; thanks to Heaven + Devoutly they expressed, and ardent joy. + +Feridún inquired of Arnawáz why Zohák had chosen the route towards Ind; +and she replied, "For two reasons: the first is, he expects to encounter +thee in that quarter; and if he fails, he will subdue the whole country, +which is the seat of sorcery, and thus obtain possession of a renowned +magician who can charm thee into his power. + + "He wishes to secure within his grasp + That region of enchantment, Hindústán, + And then obtain relief from what he feels; + For night and day the terror of thy name + Oppresses him, his heart is all on fire, + And life is torture to him." + + + +FERIDÚN + +Kandrú, the keeper of the talisman, having effected his escape, fled to +Zohák, to whom he gave intelligence of the release of his women, the +destruction of the talisman, and the conquest of his empire. + + "The sign of retribution has appeared, + For sorrow is the fruit of evil deeds." + Thus Kandrú spoke: "Three warriors have advanced + Upon thy kingdom from a distant land, + One of them young, and from his air and mien + He seems to me of the Kaiánian race. + He came, and boldly seized the splendid throne, + And all thy spells, and sorceries, and magic, + Were instantly dissolved by higher power, + And all who dwelt within thy palace walls, + Demon or man, all utterly destroyed, + Their severed heads cast weltering on the ground." + Then was Zohák confounded, and he shrunk + Within himself with terror, thinking now + His doom was sealed; but anxious to appear + In presence of his army, gay and cheerful, + Lest they too should despair, he dressed himself + In rich attire, and with a pleasant look, + Said carelessly: "Perhaps some gamesome guest + Hath in his sport committed this strange act." + "A guest, indeed!" Kandrú replied, "a guest, + In playful mood to batter down thy palace! + If he had been thy guest, why with his mace, + Cow-headed, has he done such violence? + Why did he penetrate thy secret chambers, + And bring to light the beautiful Shahrnáz, + And red-lipped Arnawáz?" At this, Zohák + Trembled with wrath--the words were death to him; + And sternly thus he spoke: "What hast thou fled + Through fear, betraying thy important trust? + No longer shalt thou share my confidence, + No longer share my bounty and regard." + To this the keeper tauntingly replied: + "Thy kingdom is overthrown, and nothing now + Remains for thee to give me; thou art lost." + +The tyrant immediately turned towards his army, with the intention of +making a strong effort to regain his throne, but he found that as soon +as the soldiers and the people were made acquainted with the proceedings +and success of Feridún, rebellion arose among them, and shuddering with +horror at the cruelty exercised by him in providing food for the +accursed serpents, they preferred embracing the cause of the new king. +Zohák, seeing that he had lost the affections of the army, and that +universal revolt was the consequence, adopted another course, and +endeavored alone to be revenged upon his enemy. He proceeded on his +journey, and arriving by night at the camp of Feridún, hoped to find him +off his guard and put him to death. He ascended a high place, himself +unobserved, from which he saw Feridún sitting engaged in soft dalliance +with the lovely Shahrnáz. The fire of jealousy and revenge now consumed +him more fiercely, and he was attempting to effect his purpose, when +Feridún was roused by the noise, and starting up struck a furious blow +with his cow-headed mace upon the temples of Zohák, which crushed the +bone, and he was on the point of giving him another; but a supernatural +voice whispered in his ear, + + "Slay him not now--his time is not yet come, + His punishment must be prolonged awhile; + And as he cannot now survive the wound, + Bind him with heavy chains--convey him straight + Upon the mountain, there within a cave, + Deep, dark, and horrible--with none to soothe + His sufferings, let the murderer lingering die." + + The work of heaven performing, Feridún + First purified the world from sin and crime. + + Yet Feridún was not an angel, nor + Composed of musk or ambergris. By justice + And generosity he gained his fame. + Do thou but exercise these princely virtues, + And thou wilt be renowned as Feridún. + + + +FERIDÚN AND HIS THREE SONS + +Feridún had three sons. One of them was named Sílim, the other Túr, and +the third Irij. When they had grown up, he called before him a learned +person named Chundel, and said to him: "Go thou in quest of three +daughters, born of the same father and mother, and adorned with every +grace and accomplishment, that I may have my three sons married into one +family." Chundel departed accordingly, and travelled through many +countries in fruitless search, till he came to the King of Yemen, whose +name was Sarú, and found that he had three daughters of the character +and qualifications required. He therefore delivered Feridún's +proposition to him, to which the King of Yemen agreed. Then Feridún sent +his three sons to Yemen, and they married the three daughters of the +king, who gave them splendid dowries in treasure and jewels. It is +related that Feridún afterwards divided his empire among his sons. To +Sílim he gave Rúm and Kháwer; to Túr, Túrán;[2] and to Irij, Irán or +Persia. The sons then repaired to their respective kingdoms. Persia was +a beautiful country, and the garden of spring, full of freshness and +perfume; Túrán, on the contrary, was less cultivated, and the scene of +perpetual broils and insurrections. The elder brother, Sílim, was +therefore discontented with the unfair partition of the empire, and +displeased with his father. He sent to Túr, saying: "Our father has +given to Irij the most delightful and productive kingdom, and to us, two +wild uncultivated regions. I am the eldest son, and I am not satisfied +with this distribution--what sayest thou?" When this message was +communicated to Túr, he fully concurred in the sentiments expressed by +his brother, and determined to unite with him in any undertaking that +might promise the accomplishment of their purpose, which was to deprive +Irij of his dominions. But he thought it would be most expedient, in the +first instance, to make their father acquainted with the dissatisfaction +he had produced; "for," he thought to himself, "in a new distribution, +he may assign Persia to me." Then he wrote to Sílim, advising that a +messenger should be sent at once to Feridún to inform him of their +dissatisfaction, and bring back a reply. The same messenger was +dispatched by Sílim accordingly on that mission, + + Charged with unfilial language. "Give," he said, + "This stripling Irij a more humble portion, + Or we will, from the mountains of Túrán, + From Rúm, and Chín, bring overwhelming troops, + Inured to war, and shower disgrace and ruin + On him and Persia." + +When the messenger arrived at the court of Feridún, and had obtained +permission to appear in the presence of the king, he kissed the ground +respectfully, and by command related the purpose of his journey. Feridún +was surprised and displeased, and said, in reply: + + "Have I done wrong, done evil? None, but good. + I gave ye kingdoms, that was not a crime; + But if ye fear not me, at least fear God. + My ebbing life approaches to an end, + And the possessions of this fleeting world + Will soon pass from me. I am grown too old + To have my passions roused by this rebellion; + All I can do is, with paternal love, + To counsel peace. Be with your lot contented; + Seek not unnatural strife, but cherish peace." + +After the departure of the messenger Feridún called Irij before him, and +said: "Thy two brothers, who are older than thou art, have confederated +together and threaten to bring a large army against thee for the purpose +of seizing thy kingdom, and putting thee to death. I have received this +information from a messenger, who further says, that if I take thy part +they will also wage war upon me." And after Irij had declared that in +this extremity he was anxious to do whatever his father might advise, +Feridún continued: "My son, thou art unable to resist the invasion of +even one brother; it will, therefore, be impossible for thee to oppose +both. I am now aged and infirm, and my only wish is to pass the +remainder of my days in retirement and repose. Better, then, will it be +for thee to pursue the path of peace and friendship, and like me throw +away all desire for dominion. + + "For if the sword of anger is unsheathed, + And war comes on, thy head will soon be freed + From all the cares of government and life. + There is no cause for thee to quit the world, + The path of peace and amity is thine." + +Irij agreed with his father, and declared that he would willingly +sacrifice his throne and diadem rather than go to war with his brothers. + + "Look at the Heavens, how they roll on; + And look at man, how soon he's gone. + A breath of wind, and then no more; + A world like this, should man deplore?" + +With these sentiments Irij determined to repair immediately to his +brothers, and place his kingdom at their disposal, hoping by this means +to merit their favor and affection, and he said: + + "I feel no resentment, I seek not for strife, + I wish not for thrones and the glories of life; + What is glory to man?--an illusion, a cheat; + What did it for Jemshíd, the world at his feet? + When I go to my brothers their anger may cease, + Though vengeance were fitter than offers of peace." + +Feridún observed to him: "It is well that thy desire is for +reconciliation, as thy brothers are preparing for war." He then wrote a +letter to his sons, in which he said: "Your younger brother considers +your friendship and esteem of more consequence to him than his crown and +throne. He has banished from his heart every feeling of resentment +against you; do you, in the like manner, cast away hostility from your +hearts against him. Be kind to him, for it is incumbent upon the eldest +born to be indulgent and affectionate to their younger brothers. +Although your consideration for my happiness has passed away, I still +wish to please you." As soon as the letter was finished, Irij mounted +his horse, and set off on his journey, accompanied by several of his +friends, but not in such a manner, and with such an equipment, as might +betray his rank or character. When he arrived with his attendants in +Turkistán, he found that the armies of his two brothers were ready to +march against him. Sílim and Túr, being apprised of the approach of +Irij, went out of the city, according to ancient usage, to meet the +deputation which was conveying to them their father's letter. Irij was +kindly received by them, and accommodated in the royal residence. + +It is said that Irij was in person extremely prepossessing, and that +when the troops first beheld him, they exclaimed: "He is indeed fit to +be a king!" In every place all eyes were fixed upon him, and wherever he +moved he was followed and surrounded by the admiring army and crowds of +people. + + In numerous groups the soldiers met, and blessed + The name of Irij, saying in their hearts, + This is the man to lead an armed host, + And worthy of the diadem and throne. + +The courtiers of the two brothers, alarmed by these demonstrations of +attachment to Irij continually before their eyes, represented to Sílim +and Túr that the army was disaffected towards them, and that Irij alone +was considered deserving of the supreme authority. This intimation +exasperated the malignant spirit of the two brothers: for although at +first determined to put Irij to death, his youth and prepossessing +appearance had in some degree subdued their animosity. They were +therefore pleased with the intelligence, because it afforded a new and +powerful reason for getting rid of him. "Look at our troops," said Sílim +to Túr, "how they assemble in circles together, and betray their +admiration of him. I fear they will never march against Persia. Indeed +it is not improbable that even the kingdom of Túrán may fall into his +hands, since the hearts of our soldiers have become so attached to him. + + "No time is this to deviate from our course, + We must rush on; our armies plainly show + Their love for Irij, and if we should fail + To root up from its place this flourishing tree, + Our cause is lost for ever." + +Again, Sílim said to Túr: "Thou must put Irij to death, and then his +kingdom will be thine." Túr readily undertook to commit that crime, and, +on the following day, at an interview with Irij, he said to him: "Why +didst thou consent to be the ruler of Persia, and fail in showing a +proper regard for the interests of thy elder brothers? Whilst our barren +kingdoms are constantly in a state of warfare with the Turks, thou art +enjoying peace and tranquillity upon the throne of a fruitful country? +Must we, thy elder brothers, remain thus under thy commands, and in +subordinate stations? + + "Must thou have gold and treasure, + And thy heart be wrapt in pleasure, + Whilst we, thy elder born, + Of our heritage are shorn? + Must the youngest still be nursed, + And the elder branches cursed? + And condemned, by stern command, + To a wild and sterile land?" + +When Irij heard these words from Túr, he immediately replied, saying: + + "I only seek tranquillity and peace; + I look not on the crown of sovereignty. + Nor seek a name among the Persian host; + And though the throne and diadem are mine, + I here renounce them, satisfied to lead + A private life. For what hath ever been + The end of earthly power and pomp, but darkness? + I seek not to contend against my brothers; + Why should I grieve their hearts, or give distress + To any human being? I am young, + And Heaven forbid that I should prove unkind!" + +Notwithstanding, however, these declarations of submission, and repeated +assurances of his resolution to resign the monarchy of Persia, Túr would +not believe one word. In a moment he sprung up, and furiously seizing +the golden chair from which he had just risen, struck a violent blow +with it on the head of Irij, calling aloud, "Bind him, bind him!" The +youth, struggling on the ground, exclaimed: "O, think of thy father, and +pity me! Have compassion on thy own soul! I came for thy protection, +therefore do not take my life: if thou dost, my blood will call out for +vengeance to the Almighty. I ask only for peace and retirement. Think of +my father, and pity me! + + "Wouldst thou, with life endowed, take life away? + Torture not the poor ant, which drags the grain + Along the dust; it has a life, and life + Is sweet and precious. Did the innocent ant + Offend thee ever? Cruel must he be + Who would destroy a living thing so harmless! + And wilt thou, reckless, shed thy brother's blood, + And agonize the feelings of a father? + Pause, and avoid the wrath of righteous Heaven!" + +But Túr was not to be softened by the supplications of his brother. +Without giving any reply, he drew his dagger, and instantly dissevered +the head of the youth from his body. + + With musk and ambergris he first embalmed + The head of Irij, then to his old father + Dispatched the present with these cruel words: + "Here is the head of thy beloved son, + Thy darling favourite, dress it with a crown + As thou wert wont; and mark the goodly fruit + Thou hast produced. Adorn thy ivory throne, + In all its splendour, for this worthy head, + And place it in full majesty before thee!" + +In the meantime, Feridún had prepared a magnificent reception for his +son. The period of his return had arrived, and he was in anxious +expectation of seeing him, when suddenly he received intelligence that +Irij had been put to death by his brothers. The mournful spectacle soon +reached his father's house. + + A scream of agony burst from his heart, + As wildly in his arms he clasped the face + Of his poor slaughtered son; then down he sank + Senseless upon the earth. The soldiers round + Bemoaned the sad catastrophe, and rent + Their garments in their grief. The souls of all + Were filled with gloom, their eyes with flowing tears, + For hope had promised a far different scene; + A day of heart-felt mirth and joyfulness, + When Irij to his father's house returned. + +After the extreme agitation of Feridún had subsided, he directed all his +people to wear black apparel, in honor of the murdered youth, and all +his drums and banners to be torn to pieces. They say that subsequent to +this dreadful calamity he always wore black clothes. The head of Irij +was buried in a favorite garden, where he had been accustomed to hold +weekly a rural entertainment. Feridún, in performing the last ceremony, +pressed it to his bosom, and with streaming eyes exclaimed: + + "O Heaven, look down upon my murdered boy; + His severed head before me, but his body + Torn by those hungry wolves! O grant my prayer, + That I may see, before I die, the seed + Of Irij hurl just vengeance on the heads + Of his assassins; hear, O hear my prayer." + --Thus he in sorrow for his favourite son + Obscured the light which might have sparkled still, + Withering the jasmine flower of happy days; + So that his pale existence looked like death. + + + +MINÚCHIHR + +Feridún continued to cherish with the fondest affection the memory of +his murdered son, and still looked forward with anxiety to the +anticipated hour of retribution. He fervently hoped that a son might be +born to take vengeance for his father's death. But it so happened that +Mahafríd, the wife of Irij, gave birth to a daughter. When this daughter +grew up, Feridún gave her in marriage to Pishung, and from that union an +heir was born who in form and feature resembled Irij and Feridún. He was +called Minúchihr, and great rejoicings took place on the occasion of his +birth. + + The old man's lips, with smiles apart, + Bespoke the gladness of his heart. + And in his arms he took the boy + The harbinger of future joy; + Delighted that indulgent Heaven + To his fond hopes this pledge had given, + It seemed as if, to bless his reign, + Irij had come to life again. + +The child was nourished with great tenderness during his infancy, and +when he grew up he was sedulously instructed in every art necessary to +form the character, and acquire the accomplishments of a warrior. +Feridún was accustomed to place him on the throne, and decorate his +brows with the crown of sovereignty; and the soldiers enthusiastically +acknowledged him as their king, urging him to rouse himself and take +vengeance of his enemies for the murder of his grandfather. Having +opened his treasury, Feridún distributed abundance of gold among the +people, so that Minúchihr was in a short time enabled to embody an +immense army, by whom he was looked upon with attachment and admiration. + +When Sílim and Túr were informed of the preparations that were making +against them, that Minúchihr, having grown to manhood, was distinguished +for his valor and intrepidity, and that multitudes flocked to his +standard with the intention of forwarding his purpose of revenge, they +were seized with inexpressible terror, and anticipated an immediate +invasion of their kingdoms. Thus alarmed, they counselled together upon +the course it would be wisest to adopt. + + "Should he advance, his cause is just, + And blood will mingle with the dust, + But heaven forbid our power should be + O'erwhelmed to give him victory; + Though strong his arm, and wild his ire, + And vengeance keen his heart inspire." + +They determined, at length, to pursue pacific measures, and endeavor by +splendid presents and conciliatory language to regain the good-will of +Feridún. The elephants were immediately loaded with treasure, a crown of +gold, and other articles of value, and a messenger was dispatched, +charged with an acknowledgment of guilt and abundant expressions of +repentance. "It was Iblís," they said, "who led us astray, and our +destiny has been such that we are in every way criminal. But thou art +the ocean of mercy; pardon our offences. Though manifold, they were +involuntary, and forgiveness will cleanse our hearts and restore us to +ourselves. Let our tears wash away the faults we have committed. To +Minúchihr and to thyself we offer obedience and fealty, and we wait your +commands, being but the dust of your feet." + +When the messenger arrived at the court of Feridún he first delivered +the magnificent presents, and the king, having placed Minúchihr on a +golden chair by his side, observed to him, "These presents are to thee a +prosperous and blessed omen--they show that thy enemy is afraid of +thee." Then the messenger was permitted to communicate the object of his +mission. + + He spoke with studied phrase, intent to hide, + Or mitigate the horror of their crime; + And with excuses plausible and bland + His speech was dressed. The brothers, he observed, + Desired to see their kinsman Minúchihr, + And with the costliest gems they sought to pay + The price of kindred blood unjustly shed-- + And they would willingly to him resign + Their kingdoms for the sake of peace and friendship. + + The monarch marked him scornfully, and said: + "Canst thou conceal the sun? It is in vain + Truth to disguise with words of shallow meaning. + Now hear my answer. Ask thy cruel masters, + Who talk of their affection for the prince, + Where lies the body of the gentle Irij? + Him they have slain, the fierce, unnatural brothers, + And now they thirst to gain another victim. + They long to see the face of Minúchihr! + Yes, and they shall, surrounded by his soldiers, + And clad in steel, and they shall feel the edge + Of life-destroying swords. Yes, they shall see him!" + +After uttering this indignant speech, Feridún showed to the messenger +his great warriors, one by one. He showed him Kavah and his two sons, +Shahpúr, and Shírúeh, and Kárun, and Sám,[3] and Narímán, and other +chiefs--all of admirable courage and valor in war--and thus resumed: + + "Hence with your presents, hence, away, + Can gold or gems turn night to day? + Must kingly heads be bought and sold, + And shall I barter blood for gold? + Shall gold a father's heart entice, + Blood to redeem beyond all price? + Hence, hence with treachery; I have heard + Their glozing falsehoods, every word; + But human feelings guide my will, + And keep my honour sacred still. + True is the oracle we read: + 'Those who have sown oppression's seed + Reap bitter fruit; their souls, perplext, + Joy not in this world or the next.' + The brothers of my murdered boy, + Who could a father's hopes destroy, + An equal punishment will reap, + And lasting vengeance o'er them sweep. + They rooted up my favourite tree, + But yet a branch remains to me. + Now the young lion comes apace, + The glory of his glorious race; + He comes apace, to punish guilt, + Where brother's blood was basely spilt; + And blood alone for blood must pay; + Hence with your gold, depart, away!" + +When the messenger heard these reproaches, mingled with poison, he +immediately took leave, and trembling with fear, returned to Sílim and +Túr with the utmost speed. He described to them in strong and alarming +terms the appearance and character of Minúchihr, and his warriors; of +that noble youth who with frowning eyebrows was only anxious for battle. +He then communicated to them in what manner he had been received, and +repeated the denunciations of Feridún, at which the brothers were +exceedingly grieved and disappointed. But Sílim said to Túr: + + "Let us be first upon the field, before + He marshals his array. It follows not, + That he should be a hero bold and valiant, + Because he is descended from the brave; + But it becomes us well to try our power,-- + For speed, in war, is better than delay." + +In this spirit the two brothers rapidly collected from both their +kingdoms a large army, and proceeded towards Irán. On hearing of their +progress, Feridún said: "This is well--they come of themselves. The +forest game surrenders itself voluntarily at the foot of the sportsman." +Then he commanded his army to wait quietly till they arrived; for skill +and patience, he observed, will draw the lion's head into your toils. + +As soon as the enemy had approached within a short distance, Minúchihr +solicited Feridún to commence the engagement--and the king having +summoned his chief warriors before him, appointed them all, one by one, +to their proper places. + + The warriors of renown assembled straight + With ponderous clubs; each like a lion fierce, + Girded his loins impatient. In their front + The sacred banner of the blacksmith waved; + Bright scimitars were brandished in the air; + Beneath them pranced their steeds, all armed for fight, + And so incased in iron were the chiefs + From top to toe, their eyes were only seen. + + When Kárun drew his hundred thousand troops + Upon the field, the battle-word was given, + And Minúchihr was, like the cypress tall, + Engaged along the centre of the hosts; + And like the moon he shone, amid the groups + Of congregated clouds, or as the sun + Glittering upon the mountain of Alberz. + The squadrons in advance Kabád commanded, + Garshásp the left, and Sám upon the right. + + The shedders of a brother's blood had now + Brought their innumerous legions to the strife, + And formed them in magnificent array: + The picket guards were almost thrown together, + When Túr sprung forward, and with sharp reproach, + And haughty gesture, thus addressed Kabád: + "Ask this new king, this Minúchihr, since Heaven + To Irij gave a daughter, who on him + Bestowed the mail, the battle-axe, and sword?" + To this insulting speech, Kabád replied: + "The message shall be given, and I will bring + The answer, too. Ye know what ye have done; + Have ye not murdered him who, trusting, sought + Protection from ye? All mankind for this + Must curse your memory till the day of doom; + If savage monsters were to fly your presence, + It would not be surprising. Those who die + In this most righteous cause will go to Heaven, + With all their sins forgotten!" Then Kabád + Went to the king, and told the speech of Túr: + A smile played o'er the cheek of Minúchihr + As thus he spoke: "A boaster he must be, + Or a vain fool, for when engaged in battle, + Vigour of arm and the enduring soul, + Will best be proved. I ask but for revenge-- + Vengeance for Irij slain. Meanwhile, return; + We shall not fight to-day." + + He too retired, + And in his tent upon the sandy plain, + Ordered the festive board to be prepared, + And wine and music whiled the hours away. + +When morning dawned the battle commenced, and multitudes were slain on +both sides. + + The spacious plain became a sea of blood; + It seemed as if the earth was covered o'er + With crimson tulips; slippery was the ground, + And all in dire confusion. + +The army of Minúchihr was victorious, owing to the bravery and skill of +the commander. But Heaven was in his favor. + +In the evening Sílim and Túr consulted together, and came to the +resolution of effecting a formidable night attack on the enemy. The +spies of Minúchihr, however, obtained information of this intention, and +communicated the secret to the king. Minúchihr immediately placed the +army in charge of Kárun, and took himself thirty thousand men to wait in +ambuscade for the enemy, and frustrate his views. Túr advanced with a +hundred thousand men; but as he advanced, he found every one on the +alert, and aware of his approach. He had gone too far to retreat in the +dark without fighting, and therefore began a vigorous conflict. +Minúchihr sprung up from his ambuscade, and with his thirty thousand men +rushed upon the centre of the enemy's troops, and in the end encountered +Túr. The struggle was not long. Minúchihr dexterously using his javelin, +hurled him from his saddle precipitately to the ground, and then with +his dagger severed the head from his body. The body he left to be +devoured by the beasts of the field, and the head he sent as a trophy to +Feridún; after which, he proceeded in search of Sílim. + +The army of the confederates, however, having suffered such a signal +defeat, Sílim thought it prudent to fall back and take refuge in a fort. +But Minúchihr went in pursuit, and besieged the castle. One day a +warrior named Kakú made a sally out of the fort, and approaching the +centre of the besieging army, threw a javelin at Minúchihr, which, +however, fell harmless before it reached its aim. Then Minúchihr seized +the enemy by the girdle, raised him up in air, and flung him from his +saddle to the ground. + + He grasped the foe-man by the girth, + And thundering drove him to the earth; + By wound of spear, and gory brand, + He died upon the burning sand. + +The siege was continued for some time with the view of weakening the +power of Sílim; at last Minúchihr sent a message to him, saying: "Let +the battle be decided between us. Quit the fort, and boldly meet me +here, that it may be seen to whom God gives the victory." Sílim could +not, without disgrace, refuse this challenge: he descended from the +fort, and met Minúchihr. A desperate conflict ensued, and he was slain +on the spot. Minúchihr's keen sword severed the royal head from the +body, and thus quickly ended the career of Sílim. After that, the whole +of the enemy's troops were defeated and put to flight in every +direction. + +The leading warriors of the routed army now sought protection from +Minúchihr, who immediately complied with their solicitation, and by +their influence all the forces of Sílim and Túr united under him. To +each he gave rank according to his merits. After the victory, Minúchihr +hastened to pay his respects to Feridún, who received him with praises +and thanksgivings, and the customary honors. Returning from the battle, +Feridún met him on foot; and the moment Minúchihr beheld the venerable +monarch, he alighted and kissed the ground. They then, seated in the +palace together, congratulated themselves on the success of their arms. +In a short time after, the end of Feridún approached; when recommending +Minúchihr to the care of Sám and Narímán, he said: "My hour of departure +has arrived, and I place the prince under your protection." He then +directed Minúchihr to be seated on the throne; + + And put himself the crown upon his head, + And stored his mind with counsel good and wise. + +Upon the death of Feridún, Minúchihr accordingly succeeded to the +government of the empire, and continued to observe strictly all the laws +and regulations of his great grandfather. He commanded his subjects to +be constant in the worship of God. + + The army and the people gave him praise, + Prayed for his happiness and length of days; + Our hearts, they said, are ever bound to thee; + Our hearts, inspired by love and loyalty. + + + +ZÁL, THE SON OF SÁM + +According to the traditionary histories from which Firdusi has derived +his legends, the warrior Sám had a son born to him whose hair was +perfectly white. On his birth the nurse went to Sám and told him that +God had blessed him with a wonderful child, without a single blemish, +excepting that his hair was white; but when Sám saw him he was grieved: + + His hair was white as goose's wing, + His cheek was like the rose of spring + His form was straight as cypress tree-- + But when the sire was brought to see + That child with hair so silvery white, + His heart revolted at the sight. + +His mother gave him the name of Zál and the people said to Sám, "This is +an ominous event, and will be to thee productive of nothing but +calamity; it would be better if thou couldst remove him out of sight. + + "No human being of this earth + Could give to such a monster birth; + He must be of the Demon race, + Though human still in form and face. + If not a Demon, he, at least, + Appears a party-coloured beast." + +When Sám was made acquainted with these reproaches and sneers of the +people, he determined, though with a sorrowful heart, to take him up to +the mountain Alberz, and abandon him there to be destroyed by beasts of +prey. Alberz was the abode of the Símúrgh or Griffin,[4] and, whilst +flying about in quest of food for his hungry young ones, that surprising +animal discovered the child lying alone upon the hard rock, crying and +sucking its fingers. The Símúrgh, however, felt no inclination to devour +him, but compassionately took him up in the air, and conveyed him to his +own habitation. + + He who is blest with Heaven's grace + Will never want a dwelling-place + And he who bears the curse of Fate + Can never change his wretched state. + A voice, not earthly, thus addressed + The Símúrgh in his mountain nest-- + "To thee this mortal I resign, + Protected by the power divine; + Let him thy fostering kindness share, + Nourish him with paternal care; + For from his loins, in time, will spring + The champion of the world, and bring + Honour on earth, and to thy name; + The heir of everlasting fame." + +The young ones were also kind and affectionate to the infant, which was +thus nourished and protected by the Símúrgh for several years. + + + +THE DREAM OF SÁM + +It is said that one night, after melancholy musings and reflecting on +the miseries of this life, Sám was visited by a dream, and when the +particulars of it were communicated to the interpreters of mysterious +warnings and omens, they declared that Zál was certainly still alive, +although he had been long exposed on Alberz, and left there to be torn +to pieces by wild animals. Upon this interpretation being given, the +natural feelings of the father returned, and he sent his people to the +mountain in search of Zál, but without success. On another night Sám +dreamt a second time, when he beheld a young man of a beautiful +countenance at the head of an immense army, with a banner flying before +him, and a Múbid on his left hand. One of them addressed Sám, and +reproached him thus:-- + + Unfeeling mortal, hast thou from thy eyes + Washed out all sense of shame? Dost thou believe + That to have silvery tresses is a crime? + If so, thy head is covered with white hair; + And were not both spontaneous gifts from Heaven? + Although the boy was hateful to thy sight, + The grace of God has been bestowed upon him; + And what is human tenderness and love + To Heaven's protection? Thou to him wert cruel, + But Heaven has blest him, shielding him from harm. + +Sám screamed aloud in his sleep, and awoke greatly terrified. Without +delay he went himself to Alberz, and ascended the mountain, and wept and +prayed before the throne of the Almighty, saying:-- + + "If that forsaken child be truly mine, + And not the progeny of Demon fell, + O pity me! forgive the wicked deed, + And to my eyes, my injured son restore." + +His prayer was accepted. The Símúrgh, hearing the lamentations of Sám +among his people, knew that he had come in quest of his son, and thus +said to Zál:--"I have fed and protected thee like a kind nurse, and I +have given thee the name of Dustán, like a father. Sám, the warrior, has +just come upon the mountain in search of his child, and I must restore +thee to him, and we must part." Zál wept when he heard of this +unexpected separation, and in strong terms expressed his gratitude to +his benefactor; for the Wonderful Bird had not omitted to teach him the +language of the country, and to cultivate his understanding, removed as +they were to such a distance from the haunts of mankind. The Símúrgh +soothed him by assuring him that he was not going to abandon him to +misfortune, but to increase his prosperity; and, as a striking proof of +affection, gave him a feather from his own wing, with these +instructions:--"Whenever thou art involved in difficulty or danger, put +this feather on the fire, and I will instantly appear to thee to ensure +thy safety. Never cease to remember me. + + "I have watched thee with fondness by day and by night, + And supplied all thy wants with a father's delight; + O forget not thy nurse--still be faithful to me-- + And my heart will be ever devoted to thee." + +Zál immediately replied in a strain of gratitude and admiration; and +then the Símúrgh conveyed him to Sám, and said to him: "Receive thy +son--he is of wonderful promise, and will be worthy of the throne and +the diadem." + + The soul of Sám rejoiced to hear + Applause so sweet to a parent's ear; + And blessed them both in thought and word, + The lovely boy, and the Wondrous Bird. + +He also declared to Zál that he was ashamed of the crime of which he had +been guilty, and that he would endeavor to obliterate the recollection +of the past by treating him in future with the utmost respect and honor. + +When Minúchihr heard from Zábul of these things, and of Sám's return, he +was exceedingly pleased, and ordered his son, Nauder, with a splendid +istakbál,[5] to meet the father and son on their approach to the city. +They were surrounded by warriors and great men, and Sám embraced the +first moment to introduce Zál to the king. + + Zál humbly kissed the earth before the king, + And from the hands of Minúchihr received + A golden mace and helm. Then those who knew + The stars and planetary signs, were told + To calculate the stripling's destiny; + And all proclaimed him of exalted fortune, + That he would be prodigious in his might, + Outshining every warrior of the age. + +Delighted with this information, Minúchihr, seated upon his throne, with +Kárun on one side and Sám on the other, presented Zál with Arabian +horses, and armor, and gold, and splendid garments, and appointed Sám to +the government of Kábul, Zábul, and Ind. Zál accompanied his father on +his return; and when they arrived at Zábulistán, the most renowned +instructors in every art and science were collected together to +cultivate and enrich his young mind. + +In the meantime Sám was commanded by the king to invade and subdue the +Demon provinces of Karugsár and Mázinderán;[6] and Zál was in +consequence left by his father in charge of Zábulistán. The young +nursling of the Símúrgh is said to have performed the duties of +sovereignty with admirable wisdom and discretion, during the absence of +his father. He did not pass his time in idle exercises, but with zealous +delight in the society of accomplished and learned men, for the purpose +of becoming familiar with every species of knowledge and acquirement. +The city of Zábul, however, as a constant residence, did not entirely +satisfy him, and he wished to see more of the world; he therefore +visited several other places, and proceeded as far as Kábul, where he +pitched his tents, and remained for some time. + + + +RÚDÁBEH + +The chief of Kábul was descended from the family of Zohák. He was named +Mihráb, and to secure the safety of his state, paid annual tribute to +Sám. Mihráb, on the arrival of Zál, went out of the city to see him, and +was hospitably entertained by the young hero, who soon discovered that +he had a daughter of wonderful attractions. + + Her name Rúdábeh; screened from public view, + Her countenance is brilliant as the sun; + From head to foot her lovely form is fair + As polished ivory. Like the spring, her cheek + Presents a radiant bloom,--in stature tall, + And o'er her silvery brightness, richly flow + Dark musky ringlets clustering to her feet. + She blushes like the rich pomegranate flower; + Her eyes are soft and sweet as the narcissus, + Her lashes from the raven's jetty plume + Have stolen their blackness, and her brows are bent + Like archer's bow. Ask ye to see the moon? + Look at her face. Seek ye for musky fragrance? + She is all sweetness. Her long fingers seem + Pencils of silver, and so beautiful + Her presence, that she breathes of Heaven and love. + +Such was the description of Rúdábeh, which inspired the heart of Zál +with the most violent affection, and imagination added to her charms. + +Mihráb again waited on Zál, who received him graciously, and asked him +in what manner he could promote his wishes. Mihráb said that he only +desired him to become his guest at a banquet he intended to invite him +to; but Zál thought proper to refuse, because he well knew, if he +accepted an invitation of the kind from a relation of Zohák, that his +father Sám and the King of Persia would be offended. Mihráb returned to +Kábul disappointed, and having gone into his harem, his wife, Síndokht, +inquired after the stranger from Zábul, the white-headed son of Sám. She +wished to know what he was like, in form and feature, and what account +he gave of his sojourn with the Símúrgh. Mihráb described him in the +warmest terms of admiration--he was valiant, he said, accomplished and +handsome, with no other defect than that of white hair. And so boundless +was his praise, that Rúdábeh, who was present, drank every word with +avidity, and felt her own heart warmed into admiration and love. Full of +emotion, she afterwards said privately to her attendants: + + "To you alone the secret of my heart + I now unfold; to you alone confess + The deep sensations of my captive soul. + I love, I love; all day and night of him + I think alone--I see him in my dreams-- + You only know my secret--aid me now, + And soothe the sorrows of my bursting heart." + +The attendants were startled with this confession and entreaty, and +ventured to remonstrate against so preposterous an attachment. + + "What! hast thou lost all sense of shame, + All value for thy honored name! + That thou, in loveliness supreme, + Of every tongue the constant theme, + Should choose, and on another's word. + The nursling of a Mountain Bird! + A being never seen before, + Which human mother never bore! + And can the hoary locks of age, + A youthful heart like thine engage? + Must thy enchanting form be prest + To such a dubious monster's breast? + And all thy beauty's rich array, + Thy peerless charms be thrown away?" + +This violent remonstrance was more calculated to rouse the indignation +of Rúdábeh than to induce her to change her mind. It did so. But she +subdued her resentment, and again dwelt upon the ardor of her passion. + + "My attachment is fixed, my election is made, + And when hearts are enchained 'tis in vain to upbraid. + Neither Kízar nor Faghfúr I wish to behold, + Nor the monarch of Persia with jewels and gold; + All, all I despise, save the choice of my heart, + And from his beloved image I never can part. + Call him aged, or young, 'tis a fruitless endeavour + To uproot a desire I must cherish for ever; + Call him old, call him young, who can passion control? + Ever present, and loved, he entrances my soul. + 'Tis for him I exist--him I worship alone, + And my heart it must bleed till I call him my own." + +As soon as the attendants found that Rúdábeh's attachment was deeply +fixed, and not to be removed, they changed their purpose, and became +obedient to her wishes, anxious to pursue any measure that might bring +Zál and their mistress together. Rúdábeh was delighted with this proof +of their regard. + +It was spring-time, and the attendants repaired towards the +halting-place of Zál, in the neighborhood of the city. Their occupation +seemed to be gathering roses along the romantic banks of a pellucid +streamlet, and when they purposely strayed opposite the tent of Zál, he +observed them, and asked his friends--why they presumed to gather roses +in his garden. He was told that they were damsels sent by the moon of +Kábulistán from the palace of Mihráb to gather roses, and upon hearing +this his heart was touched with emotion. He rose up and rambled about +for amusement, keeping the direction of the river, followed by a servant +with a bow. He was not far from the damsels, when a bird sprung up from +the water, which he shot, upon the wing, with an arrow. The bird +happened to fall near the rose-gatherers, and Zál ordered his servant to +bring it to him. The attendants of Rúdábeh lost not the opportunity, as +he approached them, to inquire who the archer was. "Know ye not," +answered the servant, "that this is Ním-rúz, the son of Sám, and also +called Dustán, the greatest warrior ever known." At this the damsels +smiled, and said that they too belonged to a person of distinction--and +not of inferior worth--to a star in the palace of Mihráb. "We have come +from Kábul to the King of Zábulistán, and should Zál and Rúdábeh be of +equal rank, her ruby lips may become acquainted with his, and their +wished-for union be effected." When the servant returned, Zál was +immediately informed of the conversation that had taken place, and in +consequence presents were prepared. + + They who to gather roses came--went back + With precious gems--and honorary robes; + And two bright finger-rings were secretly + Sent to the princess. + +Then did the attendants of Rúdábeh exult in the success of their +artifice, and say that the lion had come into their toils. Rúdábeh +herself, however, had some fears on the subject. She anxiously sought to +know exactly the personal appearance of Zál, and happily her warmest +hopes were realized by the description she received. But one difficulty +remained--how were they to meet? How was she to see with her own eyes +the man whom her fancy had depicted in such glowing colors? Her +attendants, sufficiently expert at intrigue, soon contrived the means of +gratifying her wishes. There was a beautiful rural retreat in a +sequestered situation, the apartments of which were adorned with +pictures of great men, and ornamented in the most splendid manner. To +this favorite place Rúdábeh retired, and most magnificently dressed, +awaiting the coming of Zál, whom her attendants had previously invited +to repair thither as soon as the sun had gone down. The shadows of +evening were falling as he approached, and the enamoured princess thus +addressed him from her balcony:-- + + "May happiness attend thee ever, thou, + Whose lucid features make this gloomy night + Clear as the day; whose perfume scents the breeze; + Thou who, regardless of fatigue, hast come + On foot too, thus to see me--" + +Hearing a sweet voice, he looked up, and beheld a bright face in the +balcony, and he said to the beautiful vision:-- + + "How often have I hoped that Heaven + Would, in some secret place display + Thy charms to me, and thou hast given + My heart the wish of many a day; + For now thy gentle voice I hear, + And now I see thee--speak again! + Speak freely in a willing ear, + And every wish thou hast obtain." + +Not a word was lost upon Rúdábeh, and she soon accomplished her object. +Her hair was so luxuriant, and of such a length, that casting it loose +it flowed down from the balcony; and, after fastening the upper part to +a ring, she requested Zál to take hold of the other end and mount up. He +ardently kissed the musky tresses, and by them quickly ascended. + + Then hand in hand within the chambers they + Gracefully passed.--Attractive was the scene, + The walls embellished by the painter's skill, + And every object exquisitely formed, + Sculpture, and architectural ornament, + Fit for a king. Zál with amazement gazed + Upon what art had done, but more he gazed + Upon the witching radiance of his love, + Upon her tulip cheeks, her musky locks, + Breathing the sweetness of a summer garden; + Upon the sparkling brightness of her rings, + Necklace, and bracelets, glittering on her arms. + His mien too was majestic--on his head + He wore a ruby crown, and near his breast + Was seen a belted dagger. Fondly she + With side-long glances marked his noble aspect, + The fine proportions of his graceful limbs, + His strength and beauty. Her enamoured heart + Suffused her cheek with blushes, every glance + Increased the ardent transports of her soul. + So mild was his demeanour, he appeared + A gentle lion toying with his prey. + Long they remained rapt in admiration + Of each other. At length the warrior rose, + And thus addressed her: "It becomes not us + To be forgetful of the path of prudence, + Though love would dictate a more ardent course, + How oft has Sám, my father, counselled me, + Against unseeming thoughts,--unseemly deeds,-- + Always to choose the right, and shun the wrong. + How will he burn with anger when he hears + This new adventure; how will Minúchihr + Indignantly reproach me for this dream! + This waking dream of rapture! but I call + High Heaven to witness what I now declare-- + Whoever may oppose my sacred vows, + I still am thine, affianced thine, for ever." + + And thus Rúdábeh: "Thou hast won my heart, + And kings may sue in vain; to thee devoted, + Thou art alone my warrior and my love." + Thus they exclaimed,--then Zál with fond adieus + Softly descended from the balcony, + And hastened to his tent. + +As speedily as possible he assembled together his counsellors and Múbids +to obtain their advice on the present extraordinary occasion, and he +represented to them the sacred importance of encouraging matrimonial +alliances. + + For marriage is a contract sealed by Heaven-- + How happy is the Warrior's lot, amidst + His smiling children; when he dies, his son + Succeeds him, and enjoys his rank and name. + And is it not a glorious thing to say-- + This is the son of Zál, or this of Sám, + The heir of his renowned progenitor? + +He then related to them the story of his love and affection for the +daughter of Mihráb; but the Múbids, well knowing that the chief of Kábul +was of the family of Zohák, the serpent-king, did not approve the union +desired, which excited the indignation of Zál. They, however, +recommended his writing a letter to Sám, who might, if he thought +proper, refer the matter to Minúchihr. The letter was accordingly +written and despatched, and when Sám received it, he immediately +referred the question to his astrologers, to know whether the nuptials, +if solemnized between Zál and Rúdábeh, would be prosperous or not. They +foretold that the nuptials would be prosperous, and that the issue would +be a son of wonderful strength and power, the conqueror of the world. +This announcement delighted the heart of the old warrior, and he sent +the messenger back with the assurance of his approbation of the proposed +union, but requested that the subject might be kept concealed till he +returned with his army from the expedition to Karugsár, and was able to +consult with Minúchihr. + +Zál, exulting at his success, communicated the glad tidings to Rúdábeh +by their female emissary, who had hitherto carried on successfully the +correspondence between them. But as she was conveying an answer to this +welcome news, and some presents to Zál, Síndokht, the mother of Rúdábeh, +detected her, and, examining the contents of the packet, she found +sufficient evidence, she thought, of something wrong. + + "What treachery is this? What have we here! + Sirbund and male attire? Thou, wretch, confess! + Disclose thy secret doings." + +The emissary, however, betrayed nothing; but declared that she was a +dealer in jewels and dresses, and had been only showing her merchandise +to Rúdábeh. Síndokht, in extreme agitation of mind, hastened to her +daughter's apartment to ascertain the particulars of this affair, when +Rúdábeh at once fearlessly acknowledged her unalterable affection for +Zál, + + "I love him so devotedly, all day, + All night my tears have flowed unceasingly; + And one hair of his head I prize more dearly + Than all the world beside; for him I live; + And we have met, and we have sat together, + And pledged our mutual love with mutual joy + And innocence of heart." + +Rúdábeh further informed her of Sám's consent to their nuptials, which +in some degree satisfied the mother. But when Mihráb was made acquainted +with the arrangement, his rage was unbounded, for he dreaded the +resentment of Sám and Minúchihr when the circumstances became fully +known to them. Trembling with indignation he drew his dagger, and would +have instantly rushed to Rúdábeh's chamber to destroy her, had not +Síndokht fallen at his feet and restrained him. He insisted, however, on +her being brought before him; and upon his promise not to do her any +harm, Síndokht complied. Rúdábeh disdained to take off her ornaments to +appear as an offender and a supplicant, but, proud of her choice, went +into her father's presence, gayly adorned with jewels, and in splendid +apparel. Mihráb received her with surprise. + + "Why all this glittering finery? Is the devil + United to an angel? When a snake + Is met with in Arabia, it is killed!" + +But Rúdábeh answered not a word, and was permitted to retire with her +mother. + +When Minúchihr was apprised of the proceedings between Zál and Rúdábeh, +he was deeply concerned, anticipating nothing but confusion and ruin to +Persia from the united influence of Zál and Mihráb. Feridún had purified +the world from the abominations of Zohák, and as Mihráb was a descendant +of that merciless tyrant, he feared that some attempt would be made to +resume the enormities of former times; Sám was therefore required to +give his advice on the occasion. + +The conqueror of Karugsár and Mázinderán was received on his return with +cordial rejoicings, and he charmed the king with the story of his +triumphant success. The monarch against whom he had fought was +descended, on the mother's side, from Zohák, and his Demon army was more +numerous than ants, or clouds of locusts, covering mountain and plain. +Sám thus proceeded in his description of the conflict. + + "And when he heard my voice, and saw what deeds + I had performed, approaching me, he threw + His noose; but downward bending I escaped, + And with my bow I showered upon his head + Steel-pointed arrows, piercing through the brain; + Then did I grasp his loins, and from his horse + Cast him upon the ground, deprived of life. + At this, the demons terrified and pale, + Shrunk back, some flying to the mountain wilds, + And others, taken on the battle-field, + Became obedient to the Persian king." + +Minúchihr, gratified by this result of the expedition, appointed Sám to +a new enterprise, which was to destroy Kábul by fire and sword, +especially the house of Mihráb; and that ruler, of the serpent-race, and +all his adherents were to be put to death. Sám, before he took leave to +return to his own government at Zábul, tried to dissuade him from this +violent exercise of revenge, but without making any sensible impression +upon him. + +Meanwhile the vindictive intentions of Minúchihr, which were soon known +at Kábul, produced the greatest alarm and consternation in the family of +Mihráb. Zál now returned to his father, and Sám sent a letter to +Minúchihr, again to deprecate his wrath, and appointed Zál the +messenger. In this letter Sám enumerates his services at Karugsár and +Mázinderán, and especially dwells upon the destruction of a prodigious +dragon. + + "I am thy servant, and twice sixty years + Have seen my prowess. Mounted on my steed, + Wielding my battle-axe, overthrowing heroes, + Who equals Sám, the warrior? I destroyed + The mighty monster, whose devouring jaws + Unpeopled half the land, and spread dismay + From town to town. The world was full of horror, + No bird was seen in air, no beast of prey + In plain or forest; from the stream he drew + The crocodile; the eagle from the sky. + The country had no habitant alive, + And when I found no human being left, + I cast away all fear, and girt my loins, + And in the name of God went boldly forth, + Armed for the strife. I saw him towering rise, + Huge as a mountain, with his hideous hair + Dragging upon the ground; his long black tongue + Shut up the path; his eyes two lakes of blood; + And, seeing me, so horrible his roar, + The earth shook with affright, and from his mouth + A flood of poison issued. Like a lion + Forward I sprang, and in a moment drove + A diamond-pointed arrow through his tongue, + Fixing him to the ground. Another went + Down his deep throat, and dreadfully he writhed. + A third passed through his middle. Then I raised + My battle-axe, cow-headed, and with one + Tremendous blow, dislodged his venomous brain, + And deluged all around with blood and poison. + There lay the monster dead, and soon the world + Regained its peace and comfort. Now I'm old, + The vigour of my youth is past and gone, + And it becomes me to resign my station, + To Zál, my gallant son." + +Mihráb continued in such extreme agitation, that in his own mind he saw +no means of avoiding the threatened desolation of his country but by +putting his wife and daughter to death. Síndokht however had a better +resource, and suggested the expediency of waiting upon Sám herself, to +induce him to forward her own views and the nuptials between Zál and +Rúdábeh. To this Mihráb assented, and she proceeded, mounted on a richly +caparisoned horse, to Zábul with most magnificent presents, consisting +of three hundred thousand dínars; ten horses with golden, and thirty +with silver, housings; sixty richly attired damsels, carrying golden +trays of jewels and musk, and camphor, and wine, and sugar; forty pieces +of figured cloth; a hundred milch camels, and a hundred others for +burden; two hundred Indian swords, a golden crown and throne, and four +elephants. Sám was amazed and embarrassed by the arrival of this +splendid array. If he accepted the presents, he would incur the anger of +Minúchihr; and if he rejected them, Zál would be disappointed and driven +to despair. He at length accepted them, and concurred in the wishes of +Síndokht respecting the union of the two lovers. + +When Zál arrived at the court of Minúchihr, he was received with honor, +and the letter of Sám being read, the king was prevailed upon to consent +to the pacific proposals that were made in favor of Mihráb, and the +nuptials. He too consulted his astrologers, and was informed that the +offspring of Zál and Rúdábeh would be a hero of matchless strength and +valor. Zál, on his return through Kábul, had an interview with Rúdábeh, +who welcomed him in the most rapturous terms:-- + + Be thou for ever blest, for I adore thee, + And make the dust of thy fair feet my pillow. + +In short, with the approbation of all parties the marriage at length +took place, and was celebrated at the beautiful summer-house where first +the lovers met. Sám was present at Kábul on the happy occasion, and soon +afterwards returned to Sístán, preparatory to resuming his martial +labors in Karugsár and Mázinderán. + +As the time drew near that Rúdábeh should become a mother, she suffered +extremely from constant indisposition, and both Zál and Síndokht were in +the deepest distress on account of her precarious state. + + The cypress leaf was withering; pale she lay, + Unsoothed by rest or sleep, death seemed approaching. + +At last Zál recollected the feather of the Símúrgh, and followed the +instructions which he had received, by placing it on the fire. In a +moment darkness surrounded them, which was, however, immediately +dispersed by the sudden appearance of the Símúrgh. "Why," said the +Símúrgh, "do I see all this grief and sorrow? Why are the tear-drops in +the warrior's eyes? A child will be born of mighty power, who will +become the wonder of the world." + +The Símúrgh then gave some advice which was implicitly attended to, and +the result was that Rúdábeh was soon out of danger. Never was beheld so +prodigious a child. The father and mother were equally amazed. They +called the boy Rustem. On the first day he looked a year old, and he +required the milk of ten nurses. A likeness of him was immediately +worked in silk, representing him upon a horse, and armed like a warrior, +which was sent to Sám, who was then fighting in Mázinderán, and it made +the old champion almost delirious with joy. At Kábul and Zábul there was +nothing but feasting and rejoicing, as soon as the tidings were known, +and thousands of dínars were given away in charity to the poor. When +Rustem was five years of age, he ate as much as a man, and some say that +even in his third year he rode on horseback. In his eighth year he was +as powerful as any hero of the time. + + In beauty of form and in vigour of limb, + No mortal was ever seen equal to him. + +Both Sám and Mihráb, though far distant from the scene of felicity, were +equally anxious to proceed to Zábulistán to behold their wonderful +grandson. Both set off, but Mihráb arrived first with great pomp, and a +whole army for his suite, and went forth with Zál to meet Sám, and give +him an honorable welcome. The boy Rustem was mounted on an elephant, +wearing a splendid crown, and wanted to join them, but his father kindly +prevented him undergoing the inconvenience of alighting. Zál and Mihráb +dismounted as soon as Sám was seen at a distance, and performed the +ceremonies of an affectionate reception. Sám was indeed amazed when he +did see the boy, and showered blessings on his head. + +Afterwards Sám placed Mihráb on his right hand, and Zál on his left, and +Rustem before him, and began to converse with his grandson, who thus +manifested to him his martial disposition. + + "Thou art the champion of the world, and I + The branch of that fair tree of which thou art + The glorious root: to thee I am devoted, + But ease and leisure have no charms for me; + Nor music, nor the songs of festive joy. + Mounted and armed, a helmet on my brow, + A javelin in my grasp, I long to meet + The foe, and cast his severed head before thee." + +Then Sám made a royal feast, and every apartment in his palace was +richly decorated, and resounded with mirth and rejoicing. Mihráb was the +merriest, and drank the most, and in his cups saw nothing but himself, +so vain had he become from the countenance he had received. He kept +saying:-- + + "Now I feel no alarm about Sám or Zál-zer, + Nor the splendour and power of the great Minúchihr; + Whilst aided by Rustem, his sword, and his mace, + Not a cloud of misfortune can shadow my face. + All the laws of Zohák I will quickly restore, + And the world shall be fragrant and blest as before." + +This exultation plainly betrayed the disposition of his race; and though +Sám smiled at the extravagance of Mihráb, he looked up towards Heaven, +and prayed that Rustem might not prove a tyrant, but be continually +active in doing good, and humble before God. + +Upon Sám departing, on his return to Karugsár and Mázinderán, Zál went +with Rustem to Sístán, a province dependent on his government, and +settled him there. The white elephant, belonging to Minúchihr, was kept +at Sístán. One night Rustem was awakened out of his sleep by a great +noise, and cries of distress when starting up and inquiring the cause, +he was told that the white elephant had got loose, and was trampling and +crushing the people to death. In a moment he issued from his apartment, +brandishing his mace; but was soon stopped by the servants, who were +anxious to expostulate with him against venturing out in the darkness of +night to encounter a ferocious elephant. Impatient at being thus +interrupted he knocked down one of the watchmen, who fell dead at his +feet, and the others running away, he broke the lock of the gate, and +escaped. He immediately opposed himself to the enormous animal, which +looked like a mountain, and kept roaring like the River Nil. Regarding +him with a cautious and steady eye, he gave a loud shout, and fearlessly +struck him a blow, with such strength and vigor, that the iron mace was +bent almost double. The elephant trembled, and soon fell exhausted and +lifeless in the dust. When it was communicated to Zál that Rustem had +killed the animal with one blow, he was amazed, and fervently returned +thanks to heaven. He called him to him, and kissed him, and said: "My +darling boy, thou art indeed unequalled in valor and magnanimity." + +Then it occurred to Zál that Rustem, after such an achievement, would be +a proper person to take vengeance on the enemies of his grandfather +Narímán, who was sent by Feridún with a large army against an enchanted +fort situated upon the mountain Sipund, and who whilst endeavoring to +effect his object, was killed by a piece of rock thrown down from above +by the besieged. The fort[7], which was many miles high, inclosed +beautiful lawns of the freshest verdure, and delightful gardens +abounding with fruit and flowers; it was also full of treasure. Sám, on +hearing of the fate of his father, was deeply afflicted, and in a short +time proceeded against the fort himself; but he was surrounded by a +trackless desert. He knew not what course to pursue; not a being was +ever seen to enter or come out of the gates, and, after spending months +and years in fruitless endeavors, he was compelled to retire from the +appalling enterprise in despair. "Now," said Zál to Rustem, "the time is +come, and the remedy is at hand; thou art yet unknown, and may easily +accomplish our purpose." Rustem agreed to the proposed adventure, and +according to his father's advice, assumed the dress and character of a +salt-merchant, prepared a caravan of camels, and secreted arms for +himself and companions among the loads of salt. Everything being ready +they set off, and it was not long before they reached the fort on the +mountain Sipund. Salt being a precious article, and much wanted, as soon +as the garrison knew that it was for sale, the gates were opened; and +then was Rustem seen, together with his warriors, surrounded by men, +women, and children, anxiously making their purchases, some giving +clothes in exchange, some gold, and some silver, without fear or +suspicion. + + But when the night came on, and it was dark, + Rustem impatient drew his warriors forth, + And moved towards the mansion of the chief-- + But not unheard. The unaccustomed noise, + Announcing warlike menace and attack, + Awoke the Kotwál, who sprung up to meet + The peril threatened by the invading foe. + Rustem meanwhile uplifts his ponderous mace, + And cleaves his head, and scatters on the ground + The reeking brains. And now the garrison + Are on the alert, all hastening to the spot + Where battle rages; midst the deepened gloom + Flash sparkling swords, which show the crimson earth + Bright as the ruby. + +Rustem continued fighting with the people of the fort all night, and +just as morning dawned, he discovered the chief and slew him. Those who +survived, then escaped, and not one of the inhabitants remained within +the walls alive. Rustem's next object was to enter the governor's +mansion. It was built of stone, and the gate, which was made of iron, he +burst open with his battle-axe, and advancing onward, he discovered a +temple, constructed with infinite skill and science, beyond the power of +mortal man, and which contained amazing wealth, in jewels and gold. All +the warriors gathered for themselves as much treasure as they could +carry away, and more than imagination can conceive; and Rustem wrote to +Zál to know his further commands on the subject of the capture. Zál, +overjoyed at the result of the enterprise, replied: + + Thou hast illumed the soul of Narímán, + Now in the blissful bowers of Paradise, + By punishing his foes with fire and sword. + +He then recommended him to load all the camels with as much of the +invaluable property as could be removed, and bring it away, and then +burn and destroy the whole place, leaving not a single vestige; and the +command having been strictly complied with, Rustem retraced his steps to +Zábulistán. + + On his return Zál pressed him to his heart, + And paid him public honors. The fond mother + Kissed and embraced her darling son, and all + Uniting, showered their blessings on his head. + + + +DEATH OF MINÚCHIHR + + To Minúchihr we now must turn again, + And mark the close of his illustrious reign. + +The king had flourished one hundred and twenty years, when now the +astrologers ascertained that the period of his departure from this life +was at hand. + + They told him of that day of bitterness, + Which would obscure the splendour of his throne; + And said--"The time approaches, thou must go, + Doubtless to Heaven. Think what thou hast to do; + And be it done before the damp cold earth + Inshrine thy body. Let not sudden death + O'ertake thee, ere thou art prepared to die!" + Warned by the wise, he called his courtiers round him, + And thus he counselled Nauder:--"O, my son! + Fix not thy heart upon a regal crown, + For this vain world is fleeting as the wind; + The pain and sorrows of twice sixty years + Have I endured, though happiness and joy + Have also been my portion. I have fought + In many a battle, vanquished many a foe; + By Feridún's commands I girt my loins, + And his advice has ever been my guide. + I hurled just vengeance on the tyrant-brothers + Sílim and Túr, who slew the gentle Irij; + And cities have I built, and made the tree + Which yielded poison, teem with wholesome fruit. + And now to thee the kingdom I resign, + That kingdom which belonged to Feridún, + And thou wilt be the sovereign of the world! + But turn not from the worship of thy God, + That sacred worship Moses taught, the best + Of all the prophets; turn not from the path + Of purest holiness, thy father's choice. + + "My son, events of peril are before thee; + Thy enemy will come in fierce array, + From the wild mountains of Túrán, the son + Of Poshang, the invader. In that hour + Of danger, seek the aid of Sám and Zál, + And that young branch just blossoming; Túrán + Will then have no safe buckler of defence, + None to protect it from their conquering arms." + + Thus spoke the sire prophetic to his son, + And both were moved to tears. Again the king + Resumed his warning voice: "Nauder, I charge thee + Place not thy trust upon a world like this, + Where nothing fixed remains. The caravan + Goes to another city, one to-day, + The next, to-morrow, each observes its turn + And time appointed--mine has come at last, + And I must travel on the destined road." + +At the period Minúchihr uttered this exhortation, he was entirely free +from indisposition, but he shortly afterwards closed his eyes in death. + + + +NAUDER + +Upon the demise of Minúchihr, Nauder ascended the throne, and commenced +his reign in the most promising manner; but before two months had +passed, he neglected the counsels of his father, and betrayed the +despotic character of his heart. To such an extreme did he carry his +oppression, that to escape from his violence, the people were induced to +solicit other princes to come and take possession of the empire. The +courtiers labored under the greatest embarrassment, their monarch being +solely occupied in extorting money from his subjects, and amassing +wealth for his own coffers. Nauder was not long in perceiving the +dissatisfaction that universally prevailed, and, anticipating, not only +an immediate revolt, but an invading army, solicited, according to his +father's advice, the assistance of Sám, then at Mázinderán. The +complaints of the people, however, reached Sám before the arrival of the +messenger, and when he received the letter, he was greatly distressed on +account of the extreme severity exercised by the new king. The champion, +in consequence, proceeded forthwith from Mázinderán to Persia, and when +he entered the capital, he was joyously welcomed, and at once entreated +by the people to take the sovereignty upon himself. It was said of +Nauder: + + The gloom of tyranny has hid + The light his father's counsel gave; + The hope of life is lost amid + The desolation of the grave. + The world is withering in his thrall, + Exhausted by his iron sway; + Do thou ascend the throne, and all + Will cheerfully thy will obey. + +But Sám said, "No; I should then be ungrateful to Minúchihr, a traitor, +and deservedly offensive in the eyes of God. Nauder is the king, and I +am bound to do him service, although he has deplorably departed from the +advice of his father." He then soothed the alarm and irritation of the +chiefs, and engaging to be a mediator upon the unhappy occasion, brought +them to a more pacific tone of thinking. After this he immediately +repaired to Nauder, who received him with great favor and kindness. "O +king," said he, "only keep Feridún in remembrance, and govern the empire +in such a manner that thy name may be honored by thy subjects; for, be +well assured, that he who has a just estimate of the world, will never +look upon it as his place of rest. It is but an inn, where all +travellers meet on their way to eternity, but must not remain. The wise +consider those who fix their affections on this life, as utterly devoid +of reason and reflection: + + "Pleasure, and pomp, and wealth may be obtained-- + And every want luxuriously supplied: + But suddenly, without a moment's warning, + Death comes, and hurls the monarch from his throne, + His crown and sceptre scattering in the dust. + He who is satisfied with earthly joys, + Can never know the blessedness of Heaven; + His soul must still be dark. Why do the good + Suffer in this world, but to be prepared + For future rest and happiness? The name + Of Feridún is honoured among men, + Whilst curses load the memory of Zohák." + +This intercession of Sám produced an entire change in the government of +Nauder, who promised, in future, to rule his people according to the +principles of Húsheng, and Feridún, and Minúchihr. The chiefs and +captains of the army were, in consequence, contented, and the kingdom +reunited itself under his sway. + +In the meantime, however, the news of the death of Minúchihr, together +with Nauder's injustice and seventy, and the disaffection of his people, +had reached Túrán, of which country Poshang, a descendant from Túr, was +then the sovereign. Poshang, who had been unable to make a single +successful hostile movement during the life of Minúchihr, at once +conceived this to be a fit opportunity of taking revenge for the blood +of Sílim and Túr, and every appearance seeming to be in his favor, he +called before him his heroic son Afrásiyáb, and explained to him his +purpose and views. It was not difficult to inspire the youthful mind of +Afrásiyáb with the sentiments he himself cherished, and a large army was +immediately collected to take the field against Nauder. Poshang was +proud of the chivalrous spirit and promptitude displayed by his son, who +is said to have been as strong as a lion, or an elephant, and whose +shadow extended miles. His tongue was like a bright sword, and his heart +as bounteous as the ocean, and his hands like the clouds when rain falls +to gladden the thirsty earth. Aghríras, the brother of Afrásiyáb, +however, was not so precipitate. He cautioned his father to be prudent, +for though Persia could no longer boast of the presence of Minúchihr, +still the great warrior Sám, and Kárun, and Garshásp, were living, and +Poshang had only to look at the result of the wars in which Sílim and +Túr were involved, to be convinced that the existing conjuncture +required mature deliberation. "It would be better," said he, "not to +begin the contest at all, than to bring ruin and desolation on our own +country." Poshang, on the contrary, thought the time peculiarly fit and +inviting, and contended that, as Minúchihr took vengeance for the blood +of his grandfather, so ought Afrásiyáb to take vengeance for his. "The +grandson," he said, "who refuses to do this act of justice, is unworthy +of his family. There is nothing to apprehend from the efforts of Nauder, +who is an inexperienced youth, nor from the valor of his warriors. +Afrásiyáb is brave and powerful in war, and thou must accompany him and +share the glory." After this no further observation was offered, and the +martial preparations were completed. + + + +AFRÁSIYÁB MARCHES AGAINST NAUDER + +The brazen drums on the elephants were sounded as the signal of +departure, and the army proceeded rapidly to its destination, +overshadowing the earth in its progress. Afrásiyáb had penetrated as far +as the Jihún before Nauder was aware of his approach. Upon receiving +this intelligence of the activity of the enemy, the warriors of the +Persian army immediately moved in that direction, and on their arrival +at Dehstán, prepared for battle. + +Afrásiyáb despatched thirty thousand of his troops under the command of +Shimasás and Khazerván to Zábulistán, to act against Zál, having heard +on his march of the death of the illustrious Sám, and advanced himself +upon Dehstán with four hundred thousand soldiers, covering the ground +like swarms of ants and locusts. He soon discovered that Nauder's forces +did not exceed one hundred and forty thousand men, and wrote to Poshang, +his father, in high spirits, especially on account of not having to +contend against Sám, the warrior, and informed him that he had detached +Shimasás against Zábulistán. When the armies had approached to within +two leagues of each other, Bármán, one of the Túránian chiefs, offered +to challenge any one of the enemy to single combat: but Aghríras +objected to it, not wishing that so valuable a hero should run the +hazard of discomfiture. At this Afrásiyáb was very indignant and +directed Bármán to follow the bent of his own inclinations. + + "'Tis not for us to shrink from Persian foe, + Put on thy armour, and prepare thy bow." + +Accordingly the challenge was given. Kárun looked round, and the only +person who answered the call was the aged Kobád, his brother. Kárun and +Kobád were both sons of Kavah, the blacksmith, and both leaders in the +Persian army. No persuasion could restrain Kobád from the unequal +conflict. He resisted all the entreaties of Kárun, who said to him-- + + "O, should thy hoary locks be stained with blood, + Thy legions will be overwhelmed with grief, + And, in despair, decline the coming battle." + But what was the reply of brave Kobád? + "Brother, this body, this frail tenement, + Belongs to death. No living man has ever + Gone up to Heaven--for all are doomed to die.-- + Some by the sword, the dagger, or the spear, + And some, devoured by roaring beasts of prey; + Some peacefully upon their beds, and others + Snatched suddenly from life, endure the lot + Ordained by the Creator. If I perish, + Does not my brother live, my noble brother, + To bury me beneath a warrior's tomb, + And bless my memory?" + +Saying this, he rushed forward, and the two warriors met in desperate +conflict. The struggle lasted all day; at last Bármán threw a stone at +his antagonist with such force, that Kobád in receiving the blow fell +lifeless from his horse. When Kárun saw that his brother was slain, he +brought forward his whole army to be revenged for the death of Kobád. +Afrásiyáb himself advanced to the charge, and the encounter was +dreadful. The soldiers who fell among the Túránians could not be +numbered, but the Persians lost fifty thousand men. + + Loud neighed the steeds, and their resounding hoofs. + Shook the deep caverns of the earth; the dust + Rose up in clouds and hid the azure heavens-- + Bright beamed the swords, and in that carnage wide, + Blood flowed like water. Night alone divided + The hostile armies. + +When the battle ceased Kárun fell back upon Dehstán, and communicated +his misfortune to Nauder, who lamented the loss of Kobád, even more than +that of Sám. In the morning Kárun again took the field against +Afrásiyáb, and the conflict was again terrible. Nauder boldly opposed +himself to the enemy, and singling out Afrásiyáb, the two heroes fought +with great bravery till night again put an end to the engagement. The +Persian army had suffered most, and Nauder retired to his tent +disappointed, fatigued, and sorrowful. He then called to mind the words +of Minúchihr, and called for his two sons, Tús and Gustahem. With +melancholy forebodings he directed them to return to Irán, with his +shubistán, or domestic establishment, and take refuge on the mountain +Alberz, in the hope that some one of the race of Feridún might survive +the general ruin which seemed to be approaching. + +The armies rested two days. On the third the reverberating noise of +drums and trumpets announced the recommencement of the battle. On the +Persian side Shahpúr had been appointed in the room of Kobád, and Bármán +and Shíwáz led the right and left of the Túránians under Afrásiyáb. + + From dawn to sunset, mountain, plain, and stream, + Were hid from view; the earth, beneath the tread + Of myriads, groaned; and when the javelins cast + Long shadows on the plain at even-tide, + The Tartar host had won the victory; + And many a Persian chief fell on that day:-- + Shahpúr himself was slain. + +When Nauder and Kárun saw the unfortunate result of the battle, they +again fell back upon Dehstán, and secured themselves in the fort. +Afrásiyáb in the meantime despatched Karúkhán to Irán, through the +desert, with a body of horsemen, for the purpose of intercepting and +capturing the shubistán of Nauder. As soon as Kárun heard of this +expedition he was all on fire, and proposed to pursue the squadron under +Karúkhán, and frustrate at once the object which the enemy had in view; +and though Nauder was unfavorable to this movement, Kárun, supported by +several of the chiefs and a strong volunteer force, set off at midnight, +without permission, on this important enterprise. It was not long before +they reached the Duz-i-Supêd, or white fort, of which Gustahem was the +governor, and falling in with Bármán, who was also pushing forward to +Persia, Kárun, in revenge for his brother Kobád, sought him out, and +dared him to single combat. He threw his javelin with such might, that +his antagonist was driven furiously from his horse; and then, +dismounting, he cut off his head, and hung it at his saddle-bow. After +this he attacked and defeated the Tartar troops, and continued his march +towards Irán. + +Nauder having found that Kárun had departed, immediately followed, and +Afrásiyáb was not long in pursuing him. The Túránians at length came up +with Nauder, and attacked him with great vigor. The unfortunate king, +unable to parry the onset, fell into the hands of his enemies, together +with upwards of one thousand of his famous warriors. + + Long fought they, Nauder and the Tartar-chief, + And the thick dust which rose from either host, + Darkened the rolling Heavens. Afrásiyáb + Seized by the girdle-belt the Persian king, + And furious, dragged him from his foaming horse. + With him a thousand warriors, high in name, + Were taken on the field; and every legion, + Captured whilst flying from the victor's brand. + + Such are the freaks of Fortune: friend and foe + Alternate wear the crown. The world itself + Is an ingenious juggler--every moment + Playing some novel trick; exalting one + In pomp and splendour, crushing down another, + As if in sport,--and death the end of all! + +After the achievement of this victory Afrásiyáb directed that Kárun +should be pursued and attacked wherever he might be found; but when he +heard that he had hurried on for the protection of the shubistán, and +had conquered and slain Bármán, he gnawed his hands with rage. The reign +of Nauder lasted only seven years. After him Afrásiyáb was the master of +Persia. + + + +AFRÁSIYÁB + +It has already been said that Shimasás and Khazerván were sent by +Afrásiyáb with thirty thousand men against Kábul and Zábul, and when Zál +heard of this movement he forthwith united with Mihráb the chief of +Kábul, and having first collected a large army in Sístán, had a conflict +with the two Tartar generals. + + Zál promptly donned himself in war attire, + And, mounted like a hero, to the field + Hastened, his soldiers frowning on their steeds. + Now Khazerván grasps his huge battle-axe, + And, his broad shield extending, at one blow + Shivers the mail of Zál, who calls aloud + As, like a lion, to the fight he springs, + Armed with his father's mace. Sternly he looks + And with the fury of a dragon, drives + The weapon through his adversary's head, + Staining the ground with streaks of blood, resembling + The waving stripes upon a tiger's back. + +At this time Rustem was confined at home with the smallpox. Upon the +death of Khazerván, Shimasás thirsted to be revenged; but when Zál +meeting him raised his mace, and began to close, the chief became +alarmed and turned back, and all his squadrons followed his example. + + Fled Shimasás, and all his fighting train, + Like herds by tempests scattered o'er the plain. + +Zál set off in pursuit, and slew a great number of the enemy; but when +Afrásiyáb was made acquainted with this defeat, he immediately released +Nauder from his fetters, and in his rage instantly deprived him of life. + + He struck him and so deadly was the blow, + Breath left the body in a moment's space. + +After this Afrásiyáb turned his views towards Tús and Gustahem in the +hope of getting them into his hands; but as soon as they received +intimation of his object, the two brothers retired from Irán, and went +to Sístán to live under the protection of Zál. The champion received +them with due respect and honor. Kárun also went, with all the warriors +and people who had been supported by Nauder, and co-operated with Zál, +who encouraged them with the hopes of future success. Zál, however, +considered that both Tús and Gustahem were still of a tender age--that a +monarch of extraordinary wisdom and energy was required to oppose +Afrásiyáb--that he himself was not of the blood of the Kais, nor fit for +the duties of sovereignty, and, therefore, he turned his thoughts +towards Aghríras, the younger brother of Afrásiyáb, distinguished as he +was for his valor, prudence, and humanity, and to whom Poshang, his +father, had given the government of Raí. To him Zál sent an envoy, +saying, that if he would proceed to Sístán, he should be supplied with +ample resources to place him on the throne of Persia; that by the +co-operation of Zál and all his warriors the conquest would be easy, and +that there would be no difficulty in destroying the power of Afrásiyáb. +Aghríras accepted the offer, and immediately proceeded from his kingdom +of Raí towards Sístán. On his arrival at Bábel, Afrásiyáb heard of his +ambitious plans, and lost no time in assembling his army and marching to +arrest the progress of his brother. Aghríras, unable to sustain a +battle, had recourse to negotiation and a conference, in which Afrásiyáb +said to him, "What rebellious conduct is this, of which thou art guilty? +Is not the country of Raí sufficient for thee, that thou art thus +aspiring to be a great king?" Aghríras replied: "Why reproach and insult +me thus? Art thou not ashamed to accuse another of rebellious conduct? + + "Shame might have held thy tongue; reprove not me + In bitterness; God did not give thee power + To injure man, and surely not thy kin." + Afrásiyáb, enraged at this reproof, + Replied by a foul deed--he grasped his sword, + And with remorseless fury slew his brother! + +When intelligence of this cruel catastrophe came to Zál's ears, he +exclaimed: "Now indeed has the empire of Afrásiyáb arrived at its +crisis: + + "Yes, yes, the tyrant's throne is tottering now, + And past is all his glory." + +Then Zál bound his loins in hostility against Afrásiyáb, and gathering +together all his warriors, resolved upon taking revenge for the death of +Nauder, and expelling the tyrant from Persia. Neither Tús nor Gustahem +being yet capable of sustaining the cares and duties of the throne, his +anxiety was to obtain the assistance of some one of the race of Feridún. + + These youths were for imperial rule unfit: + A king of royal lineage and worth + The state required, and none could he remember + Save Tahmasp's son, descended from the blood + Of Feridún. + + + +ZAU + +At the time when Sílim and Túr were killed, Tahmasp, the son of Sílim, +fled from the country and took refuge in an island, where he died, and +left a son named Zau. Zál sent Kárun, the son of Kavah, attended by a +proper escort, with overtures to Zau, who readily complied, and was +under favorable circumstances seated upon the throne: + + Speedily, in arms, + He led his troops to Persia, fought, and won + A kingdom, by his power and bravery-- + And happy was the day when princely Zau + Was placed upon that throne of sovereignty; + All breathed their prayers upon his future reign, + And o'er his head (the customary rite) + Shower'd gold and jewels. + +When he had subdued the country, he turned his arms against Afrásiyáb, +who in consequence of losing the co-operation of the Persians, and not +being in a state to encounter a superior force, thought it prudent to +retreat, and return to his father. The reign of Zau lasted five years, +after which he died, and was succeeded by his son Garshásp. + + + +GARSHÁSP + +Garshásp, whilst in his minority, being unacquainted with the affairs of +government, abided in all things by the judgment and counsels of Zál. +When Afrásiyáb arrived at Túrán, his father was in great distress and +anger on account of the inhuman murder of Aghríras; and so exceedingly +did he grieve, that he would not endure his presence. + + And when Afrásiyáb returned, his sire, + Poshang, in grief, refused to see his face. + To him the day of happiness and joy + Had been obscured by the dark clouds of night; + And thus he said: "Why didst thou, why didst _thou_ + In power supreme, without pretence of guilt, + With thy own hand his precious life destroy? + Why hast thou shed thy innocent brother's blood? + In this life thou art nothing now to me; + Away, I must not see thy face again." + +Afrásiyáb continued offensive and despicable in the mind of his father +till he heard that Garshásp was unequal to rule over Persia, and then +thinking he could turn the warlike spirit of Afrásiyáb to advantage, he +forgave the crime of his son. He forthwith collected an immense army, +and sent him again to effect the conquest of Irán, under the pretext of +avenging the death of Sílim and Túr. + + Afrásiyáb a mighty army raised, + And passing plain and river, mountain high, + And desert wild, filled all the Persian realm + With consternation, universal dread. + +The chief authorities of the country applied to Zál as their only remedy +against the invasion of Afrásiyáb. + + They said to Zál, "How easy is the task + For thee to grasp the world--then, since thou canst + Afford us succour, yield the blessing now; + For, lo! the King Afrásiyáb has come, + In all his power and overwhelming might." + +Zál replied that he had on this occasion appointed Rustem to command the +army, and to oppose the invasion of Afrásiyáb. + + And thus the warrior Zál to Rustem spoke-- + "Strong as an elephant thou art, my son, + Surpassing thy companions, and I now + Forewarn thee that a difficult emprize, + Hostile to ease or sleep, demands thy care. + 'Tis true, of battles thou canst nothing know, + But what am I to do? This is no time + For banquetting, and yet thy lips still breathe + The scent of milk, a proof of infancy; + Thy heart pants after gladness and the sweet + Endearments of domestic life; can I + Then send thee to the war to cope with heroes + Burning with wrath and vengeance?" Rustem said-- + "Mistake me not, I have no wish, not I, + For soft endearments, nor domestic life, + Nor home-felt joys. This chest, these nervous limbs, + Denote far other objects of pursuit, + Than a luxurious life of ease and pleasure." + +Zál having taken great pains in the instruction of Rustem in warlike +exercises, and the rules of battle, found infinite aptitude in the boy, +and his activity and skill seemed to be superior to his own. He thanked +God for the comfort it gave him, and was glad. Then Rustem asked his +father for a suitable mace; and seeing the huge weapon which was borne +by the great Sám, he took it up, and it answered his purpose exactly. + + When the young hero saw the mace of Sám + He smiled with pleasure, and his heart rejoiced; + And paying homage to his father Zál, + The champion of the age, asked for a steed + Of corresponding power, that he might use + That famous club with added force and vigor. + +Zál showed him all the horses in his possession, and Rustem tried many, +but found not one of sufficient strength to suit him. At last his eyes +fell upon a mare followed by a foal of great promise, beauty, and +strength. + + Seeing that foal, whose bright and glossy skin + Was dappled o'er, like blossoms of the rose + Upon a saffron lawn, Rustem prepared + His noose, and held it ready in his hand. + +The groom recommended him to secure the foal, as it was the offspring of +Abresh, born of a Díw, or Demon, and called Rakush. The dam had killed +several persons who attempted to seize her young one. + + Now Rustem flings the noose, and suddenly + Rakush secures. Meanwhile the furious mare + Attacks him, eager with her pointed teeth + To crush his brain--but, stunned by his loud cry, + She stops in wonder. Then with clenched hand + He smites her on the head and neck, and down + She tumbles, struggling in the pangs of death. + +Rakush, however, though with the noose round his neck, was not so easily +subdued; but kept dragging and pulling Rustem, as if by a tether, and it +was a considerable time before the animal could be reduced to +subjection. At last, Rustem thanked Heaven that he had obtained the very +horse he wanted. + + "Now am I with my horse prepared to join + The field of warriors!" Thus the hero said, + And placed the saddle on his charger. Zál + Beheld him with delight,--his withered heart + Glowing with summer freshness. Open then + He threw his treasury--thoughtless of the past + Or future--present joy absorbing all + His faculties, and thrilling every nerve. + +In a short time Zál sent Rustem with a prodigious army against +Afrásiyáb, and two days afterwards set off himself and joined his son. +Afrásiyáb said, "The son is but a boy, and the father is old; I shall +have no difficulty in recovering the empire of Persia." These +observations having reached Zál, he pondered deeply, considering that +Garshásp would not be able to contend against Afrásiyáb, and that no +other prince of the race of Feridún was known to be in existence. +However, he despatched people in every quarter to gather information on +the subject, and at length Kai-kobád was understood to be residing in +obscurity on the mountain Alberz, distinguished for his wisdom and +valor, and his qualifications for the exercise of sovereign power. Zál +therefore recommended Rustem to proceed to Alberz, and bring him from +his concealment. + + Thus Zál to Rustem spoke, "Go forth, my son, + And speedily perform this pressing duty, + To linger would be dangerous. Say to him, + 'The army is prepared--the throne is ready, + And thou alone, of the Kaiánian race, + Deemed fit for sovereign rule.'" + +Rustem accordingly mounted Rakush, and accompanied by a powerful force, +pursued his way towards the mountain Alberz; and though the road was +infested by the troops of Afrásiyáb, he valiantly overcame every +difficulty that was opposed to his progress. On reaching the vicinity of +Alberz, he observed a beautiful spot of ground studded with luxuriant +trees, and watered by glittering rills. There too, sitting upon a +throne, placed in the shade on the flowery margin of a stream, he saw a +young man, surrounded by a company of friends and attendants, and +engaged at a gorgeous entertainment. Rustem, when he came near, was +hospitably invited to partake of the feast: but this he declined, +saying, that he was on an important mission to Alberz, which forbade the +enjoyment of any pleasure till his task was accomplished; in short, that +he was in search of Kai-kobád: but upon being told that he would there +receive intelligence of him, he alighted and approached the bank of the +stream where the company was assembled. The young man who was seated +upon the golden throne took hold of the hand of Rustem, and filling up a +goblet with wine, gave another to his guest, and asked him at whose +command or suggestion he was in search of Kai-kobád. Rustem replied, +that he was sent by his father Zál, and frankly communicated to him the +special object they had in view. The young man, delighted with the +information, immediately discovered himself, acknowledged that he was +Kai-kobád, and then Rustem respectfully hailed him as the sovereign of +Persia. + + The banquet was resumed again-- + And, hark, the softly warbled strain, + As harp and flute, in union sweet, + The voices of the singers meet. + The black-eyed damsels now display + Their art in many an amorous lay; + And now the song is loud and clear, + And speaks of Rustem's welcome here. + "This is a day, a glorious day, + That drives ungenial thoughts away; + This is a day to make us glad, + Since Rustem comes for Kai-kobád; + O, let us pass our time in glee, + And talk of Jemshíd's majesty, + The pomp and glory of his reign, + And still the sparkling goblet drain.-- + Come, Sakí, fill the wine-cup high, + And let not even its brim be dry; + For wine alone has power to part + The rust of sorrow from the heart. + Drink to the king, in merry mood, + Since fortune smiles, and wine is good; + Quaffing red wine is better far + Than shedding blood in strife, or war; + Man is but dust, and why should he + Become a fire of enmity? + Drink deep, all other cares resign. + For what can vie with ruby wine?" + +In this manner ran the song of the revellers. After which, and being +rather merry with wine, Kai-kobád told Rustem of the dream that had +induced him to descend from his place of refuge on Alberz, and to +prepare a banquet on the occasion. He dreamt the night before that two +white falcons from Persia placed a splendid crown upon his head, and +this vision was interpreted by Rustem as symbolical of his father and +himself, who at that moment were engaged in investing him with kingly +power. The hero then solicited the young sovereign to hasten his +departure for Persia, and preparations were made without delay. They +travelled night and day, and fell in with several detachments of the +enemy, which were easily repulsed by the valor of Rustem. The fiercest +attack proceeded from Kelún, one of Afrásiyáb's warriors, near the +confines of Persia, who in the encounter used his spear with great +dexterity and address. + + But Rustem with his javelin soon transfixed + The Tartar knight--who in the eyes of all + Looked like a spitted chicken--down he sunk, + And all his soldiers fled in wild dismay. + Then Rustem turned aside, and found a spot + Where verdant meadows smiled, and streamlets flowed, + Inviting weary travellers to rest. + There they awhile remained--and when the sun + Went down, and night had darkened all the sky, + The champion joyfully pursued his way, + And brought the monarch to his father's house. + --Seven days they sat in council--on the eighth + Young Kai-kobád was crowned--and placed upon + The ivory throne in presence of his warriors, + Who all besought him to commence the war + Against the Tartar prince, Afrásiyáb. + + + +KAI-KOBÁD + +Kai-kobád having been raised to the throne at a council of the warriors, +and advised to oppose the progress of Afrásiyáb, immediately assembled +his army. Mihráb, the ruler of Kábul, was appointed to one wing, and +Gustahem to the other--the centre was given to Kárun and Kishwád, and +Rustem was placed in front, Zál with Kai-kobád remaining in the rear. +The glorious standard of Kavah streamed upon the breeze. + +On the other side, Afrásiyáb prepared for battle, assisted by his heroes +Akbás, Wísah, Shimasás, and Gersíwaz; and so great was the clamor and +confusion which proceeded from both armies, that earth and sky seemed +blended together.[8] The clattering of hoofs, the shrill roar of +trumpets, the rattle of brazen drums, and the vivid glittering of spear +and shield, produced indescribable tumult and splendor. + +Kárun was the first in action, and he brought many a hero to the ground. +He singled out Shimasás; and after a desperate struggle, laid him +breathless on the field. Rustem, stimulated by these exploits, requested +his father, Zál, to point out Afrásiyáb, that he might encounter him; +but Zál endeavored to dissuade him from so hopeless an effort, saying, + + "My son, be wise, and peril not thyself; + Black is his banner, and his cuirass black-- + His limbs are cased in iron--on his head + He wears an iron helm--and high before him + Floats the black ensign; equal in his might + To ten strong men, he never in one place + Remains, but everywhere displays his power. + The crocodile has in the rolling stream + No safety; and a mountain, formed of steel, + Even at the mention of Afrásiyáb, + Melts into water. Then, beware of him." + Rustem replied:--"Be not alarmed for me-- + My heart, my arm, my dagger, are my castle, + And Heaven befriends me--let him but appear, + Dragon or Demon, and the field is mine." + +Then Rustem valiantly urged Rakush towards the Túránian army, and called +out aloud. As soon as Afrásiyáb beheld him, he inquired who he could be, +and he was told, "This is Rustem, the son of Zál. Seest thou not in his +hand the battle-axe of Sám? The youth has come in search of renown." +When the combatants closed, they struggled for some time together, and +at length Rustem seized the girdle-belt of his antagonist, and threw him +from his saddle. He wished to drag the captive as a trophy to Kai-kobád, +that his first great victory might be remembered, but unfortunately the +belt gave way, and Afrásiyáb fell on the ground. Immediately the fallen +chief was surrounded and rescued by his own warriors, but not before +Rustem had snatched off his crown, and carried it away with the broken +girdle which was left in his hand. And now a general engagement took +place. Rustem being reinforced by the advance of the king, with Zál and +Mihráb at his side-- + + Both armies seemed so closely waging war, + Thou wouldst have said, that they were mixed together. + The earth shook with the tramping of the steeds, + Rattled the drums; loud clamours from the troops + Echoed around, and from the iron grasp + Of warriors, many a life was spent in air. + With his huge mace, cow-headed, Rustem dyed + The ground with crimson--and wherever seen, + Urging impatiently his fiery horse, + Heads severed fell like withered leaves in autumn. + If, brandishing his sword, he struck the head, + Horseman and steed were downward cleft in twain-- + And if his side-long blow was on the loins, + The sword passed through, as easily as the blade + Slices a cucumber. The blood of heroes + Deluged the plain. On that tremendous day, + With sword and dagger, battle-axe and noose,[9] + He cut, and tore, and broke, and bound the brave, + Slaying and making captive. At one swoop + More than a thousand fell by his own hand. + +Zál beheld his son with amazement and delight. The Túránians left the +fire-worshippers in possession of the field, and retreated towards the +Jihún with precipitation, not a sound of drum or trumpet denoting their +track. After halting three days in a state of deep dejection and misery, +they continued their retreat along the banks of the Jihún. The Persian +army, upon the flight of the enemy, fell back with their prisoners of +war, and Rustem was received by the king with distinguished honor. When +Afrásiyáb returned to his father, he communicated to him, with a heavy +heart, the misfortunes of the battle, and the power that had been +arrayed against him, dwelling with wonder and admiration on the +stupendous valor of Rustem. + + Seeing my sable banner, + He to the fight came like a crocodile, + Thou wouldst have said his breath scorched up the plain; + He seized my girdle with such mighty force + As if he would have torn my joints asunder; + And raised me from my saddle--that I seemed + An insect in his grasp--but presently + The golden girdle broke, and down I fell + Ingloriously upon the dusty ground; + But I was rescued by my warrior train! + Thou knowest my valour, how my nerves are strung, + And may conceive the wondrous strength, which thus + Sunk me to nothing. Iron is his frame, + And marvellous his power; peace, peace, alone + Can save us and our country from destruction. + +Poshang, considering the luckless state of affairs, and the loss of so +many valiant warriors, thought it prudent to acquiesce in the wishes of +Afrásiyáb, and sue for peace. To this end Wísah was intrusted with +magnificent presents, and the overtures which in substance ran thus: +"Minúchihr was revenged upon Túr and Sílim for the death of Irij. +Afrásiyáb again has revenged their death upon Nauder, the son of +Minúchihr, and now Rustem has conquered Afrásiyáb. But why should we any +longer keep the world in confusion--Why should we not be satisfied with +what Feridún, in his wisdom, decreed? Continue in the empire which he +appropriated to Irij, and let the Jihún be the boundary between us, for +are we not connected by blood, and of one family? Let our kingdoms be +gladdened with the blessings of peace." + +When these proposals of peace reached Kai-kobád, the following answer was +returned: + + "Well dost thou know that I was not the first + To wage this war. From Túr, thy ancestor, + The strife began. Bethink thee how he slew + The gentle Irij--his own brother;--how, + In these our days, thy son, Afrásiyáb, + Crossing the Jihún, with a numerous force + Invaded Persia--think how Nauder died! + Not in the field of battle, like a hero, + But murdered by thy son--who, ever cruel, + Afterwards stabbed his brother, young Aghríras, + So deeply mourned by thee. Yet do I thirst not + For vengeance, or for strife. I yield the realm + Beyond the Jihún--let that river be + The boundary between us; but thy son, + Afrásiyáb, must take his solemn oath + Never to cross that limit, or disturb + The Persian throne again; thus pledged, I grant + The peace solicited." + +The messenger without delay conveyed this welcome intelligence to +Poshang, and the Túránian army was in consequence immediately withdrawn +within the prescribed line of division, Rustem, however, expostulated +with the king against making peace at a time the most advantageous for +war, and especially when he had just commenced his victorious career; +but Kai-kobád thought differently, and considered nothing equal to +justice and tranquillity. Peace was accordingly concluded, and upon +Rustem and Zál he conferred the highest honors, and his other warriors +engaged in the late conflict also experienced the effects of his bounty +and gratitude in an eminent degree. + +Kai-kobád then moved towards Persia, and establishing his throne at +Istakhar,[10] he administered the affairs of his government with +admirable benevolence and clemency, and with unceasing solicitude for +the welfare of his subjects. In his eyes every one had an equal claim to +consideration and justice. The strong had no power to oppress the weak. +After he had continued ten years at Istakhar, building towns and cities, +and diffusing improvement and happiness over the land, he removed his +throne into Irán. His reign lasted one hundred years, which were passed +in the continued exercise of the most princely virtues, and the most +munificent liberality. He had four sons: Kai-káús, Arish, Poshín and +Aramín; and when the period of his dissolution drew nigh, he solemnly +enjoined the eldest, whom he appointed his successor, to pursue steadily +the path of integrity and justice, and to be kind and merciful in the +administration of the empire left to his charge. + + + +KAI-KÁÚS + +When Kai-káús[11] ascended the throne of his father, the whole world was +obedient to his will; but he soon began to deviate from the wise customs +and rules which had been recommended as essential to his prosperity and +happiness. He feasted and drank wine continually with his warriors and +chiefs, so that in the midst of his luxurious enjoyments he looked upon +himself as superior to every being upon the face of the earth, and thus +astonished the people, high and low, by his extravagance and pride. + +One day a Demon, disguised as a musician, waited upon the monarch, and +playing sweetly on his harp, sung a song in praise of Mázinderán. + + And thus he warbled to the king-- + "Mázinderán is the bower of spring, + My native home; the balmy air + Diffuses health and fragrance there; + So tempered is the genial glow, + Nor heat nor cold we ever know; + Tulips and hyacinths abound + On every lawn; and all around + Blooms like a garden in its prime, + Fostered by that delicious clime. + The bulbul sits on every spray, + And pours his soft melodious lay; + Each rural spot its sweets discloses, + Each streamlet is the dew of roses; + And damsels, idols of the heart, + Sustain a more bewitching part. + And mark me, that untravelled man + Who never saw Mázinderán, + And all the charms its bowers possess, + Has never tasted happiness!" + +No sooner had Kai-káús heard this description of the country of +Mázinderán than he determined to lead an army thither, declaring to his +warriors that the splendor and glory of his reign should exceed that of +either Jemshíd, Zohák, or Kai-kobád. The warriors, however, were alarmed +at this precipitate resolution, thinking it certain destruction to make +war against the Demons; but they had not courage or confidence enough to +disclose their real sentiments. They only ventured to suggest, that if +his majesty reflected a little on the subject, he might not ultimately +consider the enterprise so advisable as he had at first imagined. But +this produced no impression, and they then deemed it expedient to +despatch a messenger to Zál, to inform him of the wild notions which the +Evil One had put into the head of Kai-káús to effect his ruin, imploring +Zál to allow of no delay, otherwise the eminent services so lately +performed by him and Rustem for the state would be rendered utterly +useless and vain. Upon this summons, Zál immediately set off from Sístán +to Irán; and having arrived at the royal court, and been received with +customary respect and consideration, he endeavored to dissuade the king +from the contemplated expedition into Mázinderán. + + "O, could I wash the darkness from thy mind, + And show thee all the perils that surround + This undertaking! Jemshíd, high in power, + Whose diadem was brilliant as the sun, + Who ruled the demons--never in his pride + Dreamt of the conquest of Mázinderán! + Remember Feridún, he overthrew + Zohák--destroyed the tyrant, but he never + Thought of the conquest of Mázinderán! + This strange ambition never fired the souls + Of by-gone monarchs--mighty Minúchihr, + Always victorious, boundless in his wealth, + Nor Zau, nor Nauder, nor even Kai-kobád, + With all their pomp, and all their grandeur, ever + Dreamt of the conquest of Mázinderán! + It is the place of demon-sorcerers, + And all enchanted. Swords are useless there, + Nor bribery nor wisdom can obtain + Possession of that charm-defended land, + Then throw not men and treasure to the winds; + Waste not the precious blood of warriors brave, + In trying to subdue Mázinderán!" + +Kai-káús, however, was not to be diverted from his purpose; and with +respect to what his predecessors had not done, he considered himself +superior in might and influence to either Feridún, Jemshíd, Minúchihr, +or Kai-kobád, who had never aspired to the conquest of Mázinderán. He +further observed, that he had a bolder heart, a larger army, and a +fuller treasury than any of them, and the whole world was under his +sway-- + + And what are all these Demon-charms, + That they excite such dread alarms? + What is a Demon-host to me, + Their magic spells and sorcery? + One effort, and the field is won; + Then why should I the battle shun? + Be thou and Rustem (whilst afar + I wage the soul-appalling war), + The guardians of the kingdom; Heaven + To me hath its protection given; + And, when I reach the Demon's fort, + Their severed heads shall be my sport! + +When Zál became convinced of the unalterable resolution of Kai-káús, he +ceased to oppose his views, and expressed his readiness to comply with +whatever commands he might receive for the safety of the state. + + May all thy actions prosper--may'st thou never + Have cause to recollect my warning voice, + With sorrow or repentance. Heaven protect thee! + +Zál then took leave of the king and his warrior friends, and returned to +Sístán, not without melancholy forebodings respecting the issue of the +war against Mázinderán. + +As soon as morning dawned, the army was put in motion. The charge of the +empire, and the keys of the treasury and jewel-chamber were left in the +hands of Mílad, with injunctions, however, not to draw a sword against +any enemy that might spring up, without the consent and assistance of +Zál and Rustem. When the army had arrived within the limits of +Mázinderán, Kai-káús ordered Gíw to select two thousand of the bravest +men, the boldest wielders of the battle-axe, and proceed rapidly towards +the city. In his progress, according to the king's instructions, he +burnt and destroyed everything of value, mercilessly slaying man, woman, +and child. For the king said: + + Kill all before thee, whether young or old, + And turn their day to night; thus free the world + From the magician's art. + +Proceeding in his career of desolation and ruin, Gíw came near to the +city, and found it arrayed in all the splendor of heaven; every street +was crowded with beautiful women, richly adorned, and young damsels with +faces as bright as the moon. The treasure-chamber was full of gold and +jewels, and the country abounded with cattle. Information of this +discovery was immediately sent to Kai-káús, who was delighted to find +that Mázinderán was truly a blessed region, the very garden of beauty, +where the cheeks of the women seemed to be tinted with the hue of the +pomegranate flower, by the gate-keeper of Paradise. + +This invasion filled the heart of the king of Mázinderán with grief and +alarm, and his first care was to call the gigantic White Demon to his +aid. Meanwhile Kai-káús, full of the wildest anticipations of victory, +was encamped on the plain near the city in splendid state, and preparing +to commence the final overthrow of the enemy on the following day. In +the night, however, a cloud came, and deep darkness like pitch +overspread the earth, and tremendous hail-stones poured down upon the +Persian host, throwing them into the greatest confusion. Thousands were +destroyed, others fled, and were scattered abroad in the gloom. The +morning dawned, but it brought no light to the eyes of Kai-káús; and +amidst the horrors he experienced, his treasury was captured, and the +soldiers of his army either killed or made prisoners of war. Then did he +bitterly lament that he had not followed the wise counsel of Zál. Seven +days he was involved in this dreadful affliction, and on the eighth day +he heard the roar of the White Demon, saying: + + "O king, thou art the willow-tree, all barren, + With neither fruit, nor flower. What could induce + The dream of conquering Mázinderán? + Hadst thou no friend to warn thee of thy folly? + Hadst thou not heard of the White Demon's power-- + Of him, who from the gorgeous vault of Heaven + Can charm the stars? From this mad enterprise + Others have wisely shrunk--and what hast thou + Accomplished by a more ambitious course? + Thy soldiers have slain many, dire destruction + And spoil have been their purpose--thy wild will + Has promptly been obeyed; but thou art now + Without an army, not one man remains + To lift a sword, or stand in thy defence; + Not one to hear thy groans and thy despair." + +There were selected from the army twelve thousand of the demon-warriors, +to take charge of and hold in custody the Iránian captives, all the +chiefs, as well as the soldiers, being secured with bonds, and only +allowed food enough to keep them alive. Arzang, one of the +demon-leaders, having got possession of the wealth, the crown and +jewels, belonging to Kai-káús, was appointed to escort the captive king +and his troops, all of whom were deprived of sight, to the city of +Mázinderán, where they were delivered into the hands of the monarch of +that country. The White Demon, after thus putting an end to hostilities, +returned to his own abode. + +Kai-káús, strictly guarded as he was, found an opportunity of sending an +account of his blind and helpless condition to Zál, in which he lamented +that he had not followed his advice, and urgently requested him, if he +was not himself in confinement, to come to his assistance, and release +him from captivity. When Zál heard the melancholy story, he gnawed the +very skin of his body with vexation, and turning to Rustem, conferred +with him in private. + + "The sword must be unsheathed, since Kai-káús + Is bound a captive in the dragon's den, + And Rakush must be saddled for the field, + And thou must bear the weight of this emprize; + For I have lived two centuries, and old age + Unfits me for the heavy toils of war. + Should'st thou release the king, thy name will be + Exalted o'er the earth.--Then don thy mail, + And gain immortal honor." + +Rustem replied that it was a long journey to Mázinderán, and that the +king had been six months on the road. Upon this Zál observed that there +were two roads--the most tedious one was that which Kai-káús had taken; +but by the other, which was full of dangers and difficulty, and lions, +and demons, and sorcery, he might reach Mázinderán in seven days, if he +reached it at all. + +On hearing these words Rustem assented, and chose the short road, +observing: + + "Although it is not wise, they say, + With willing feet to track the way + To hell; though only men who've lost, + All love of life, by misery crossed, + Would rush into the tiger's lair, + And die, poor reckless victims, there; + I gird my loins, whate'er may be, + And trust in God for victory." + +On the following day, resigning himself to the protection of Heaven, he +put on his war attire, and with his favorite horse, Rakush, properly +caparisoned, stood prepared for the journey. His mother, Rúdábeh, took +leave of him with great sorrow; and the young hero departed from Sístán, +consoling himself and his friends, thus: + + "O'er him who seeks the battle-field, + Nobly his prisoned king to free, + Heaven will extend its saving shield, + And crown his arms with victory." + + + +THE SEVEN LABORS OF RUSTEM + +First Stage.--He rapidly pursued his way, performing two days' journey +in one, and soon came to a forest full of wild asses. Oppressed with +hunger, he succeeded in securing one of them, which he roasted over a +fire, lighted by sparks produced by striking the point of his spear, and +kept in a blaze with dried grass and branches of trees. After regaling +himself, and satisfying his hunger, he loosened the bridle of Rakush, +and allowed him to graze; and choosing a safe place for repose during +the night, and taking care to have his sword under his head, he went to +sleep among the reeds of that wilderness. In a short space a fierce lion +appeared, and attacked Rakush with great violence; but Rakush very +speedily with his teeth and heels put an end to his furious assailant. +Rustem, awakened by the confusion, and seeing the dead lion before him, +said to his favorite companion:-- + + "Ah! Rakush, why so thoughtless grown, + To fight a lion thus alone; + For had it been thy fate to bleed, + And not thy foe, my gallant steed! + How could thy master have conveyed + His helm, and battle-axe, and blade, + Kamund, and bow, and buberyán, + Unaided, to Mázinderán? + Why didst thou fail to give the alarm, + And save thyself from chance of harm, + By neighing loudly in my ear; + But though thy bold heart knows no fear, + From such unwise exploits refrain, + Nor try a lion's strength again." + +Saying this, Rustem laid down to sleep, and did not awake till the +morning dawned. As the sun rose, he remounted Rakush, and proceeded on +his journey towards Mázinderán. + +Second Stage.--After travelling rapidly for some time, he entered a +desert, in which no water was to be found, and the sand was so burning +hot, that it seemed to be instinct with fire. Both horse and rider were +oppressed with the most maddening thirst. Rustem alighted, and vainly +wandered about in search of relief, till almost exhausted, he put up a +prayer to Heaven for protection against the evils which surrounded him, +engaged as he was in an enterprise for the release of Kai-káús and the +Persian army, then in the power of the demons. With pious earnestness he +besought the Almighty to bless him in the great work; and whilst in a +despairing mood he was lamenting his deplorable condition, his tongue +and throat being parched with thirst, his body prostrate on the sand, +under the influence of a raging sun, he saw a sheep pass by, which he +hailed as the harbinger of good. Rising up and grasping his sword in his +hand, he followed the animal, and came to a fountain of water, where he +devoutly returned thanks to God for the blessing which had preserved his +existence, and prevented the wolves from feeding on his lifeless limbs. +Refreshed by the cool water, he then looked out for something to allay +his hunger, and killing a gor, he lighted a fire and roasted it, and +regaled upon its savory flesh, which he eagerly tore from the bones. + +When the period of rest arrived, Rustem addressed Rakush, and said to +him angrily:-- + + "Beware, my steed, of future strife. + Again thou must not risk thy life; + Encounter not with lion fell, + Nor demon still more terrible; + But should an enemy appear, + Ring loud the warning in my ear." + +After delivering these injunctions, Rustem laid down to sleep, leaving +Rakush unbridled, and at liberty to crop the herbage close by. + +Third Stage.--At midnight a monstrous dragon-serpent issued from the +forest; it was eighty yards in length, and so fierce, that neither +elephant, nor demon, nor lion, ever ventured to pass by its lair. It +came forth, and seeing the champion asleep, and a horse near him, the +latter was the first object of attack. But Rakush retired towards his +master, and neighed and beat the ground so furiously, that Rustem soon +awoke; looking around on every side, however, he saw nothing--the dragon +had vanished, and he went to sleep again. Again the dragon burst out of +the thick darkness, and again Rakush was at the pillow of his master, +who rose up at the alarm: but anxiously trying to penetrate the dreary +gloom, he saw nothing--all was a blank; and annoyed at this apparently +vexatious conduct of his horse, he spoke sharply:-- + + "Why thus again disturb my rest, + When sleep had softly soothed my breast? + I told thee, if thou chanced to see + Another dangerous enemy, + To sound the alarm; but not to keep + Depriving me of needful sleep; + When nothing meets the eye nor ear, + Nothing to cause a moment's fear! + But if again my rest is broke, + On thee shall fall the fatal stroke, + And I myself will drag this load + Of ponderous arms along the road; + Yes, I will go, a lonely man, + Without thee, to Mázinderán." + +Rustem again went to sleep, and Rakush was resolved this time not to +move a step from his side, for his heart was grieved and afflicted by +the harsh words that had been addressed to him. The dragon again +appeared, and the faithful horse almost tore up the earth with his +heels, to rouse his sleeping master. Rustem again awoke, and sprang to +his feet, and was again angry; but fortunately at that moment sufficient +light was providentially given for him to see the prodigious cause of +alarm. + + Then swift he drew his sword, and closed in strife + With that huge monster.--Dreadful was the shock + And perilous to Rustem; but when Rakush + Perceived the contest doubtful, furiously, + With his keen teeth, he bit and tore away + The dragon's scaly hide; whilst quick as thought + The Champion severed off the ghastly head, + And deluged all the plain with horrid blood. + Amazed to see a form so hideous + Breathless stretched out before him, he returned + Thanks to the Omnipotent for his success, + Saying--"Upheld by thy protecting arm, + What is a lion's strength, a demon's rage, + Or all the horrors of the burning desert, + With not one drop to quench devouring thirst? + Nothing, since power and might proceed from Thee." + +Fourth Stage.--Rustem having resumed the saddle, continued his journey +through an enchanted territory, and in the evening came to a beautifully +green spot, refreshed by flowing rivulets, where he found, to his +surprise, a ready-roasted deer, and some bread and salt. He alighted, +and sat down near the enchanted provisions, which vanished at the sound +of his voice, and presently a tambourine met his eyes, and a flask of +wine. Taking up the instrument he played upon it, and chanted a ditty +about his own wanderings, and the exploits which he most loved. He said +that he had no pleasure in banquets, but only in the field fighting with +heroes and crocodiles in war. The song happened to reach the ears of a +sorceress, who, arrayed in all the charms of beauty, suddenly approached +him, and sat down by his side. The champion put up a prayer of gratitude +for having been supplied with food and wine, and music, in the desert of +Mázinderán, and not knowing that the enchantress was a demon in +disguise, he placed in her hands a cup of wine in the name of God; but +at the mention of the Creator, the enchanted form was converted into a +black fiend. Seeing this, Rustem threw his kamund, and secured the +demon; and, drawing his sword, at once cut the body in two! + +Fifth Stage.-- + + From thence proceeding onward, he approached + A region destitute of light, a void + Of utter darkness. Neither moon nor star + Peep'd through the gloom; no choice of path remained, + And therefore, throwing loose the rein, he gave + Rakush the power to travel on, unguided. + At length the darkness was dispersed, the earth + Became a scene, joyous and light, and gay, + Covered with waving corn--there Rustem paused + And quitting his good steed among the grass, + Laid himself gently down, and, wearied, slept; + His shield beneath his head, his sword before him. + +When the keeper of the forest saw the stranger and his horse, he went to +Rustem, then asleep, and struck his staff violently on the ground, and +having thus awakened the hero, he asked him, devil that he was, why he +had allowed his horse to feed upon the green corn-field. Angry at these +words, Rustem, without uttering a syllable, seized hold of the keeper by +the ears, and wrung them off. The mutilated wretch, gathering up his +severed ears, hurried away, covered with blood, to his master, Aúlád, +and told him of the injury he had sustained from a man like a black +demon, with a tiger-skin cuirass and an iron helmet; showing at the same +time the bleeding witnesses of his sufferings. Upon being informed of +this outrageous proceeding, Aúlád, burning with wrath, summoned together +his fighting men, and hastened by the directions of the keeper to the +place where Rustem had been found asleep. The champion received the +angry lord of the land, fully prepared, on horseback, and heard him +demand his name, that he might not slay a worthless antagonist, and why +he had torn off the ears of his forest-keeper! Rustem replied that the +very sound of his name would make him shudder with horror. Aúlád then +ordered his troops to attack Rustem, and they rushed upon him with great +fury; but their leader was presently killed by the master-hand, and +great numbers were also scattered lifeless over the plain. The survivors +running away, Rustem's next object was to follow and secure, by his +kamund, the person of Aúlád, and with admirable address and ingenuity, +he succeeded in dismounting him and taking him alive. He then bound his +hands, and said to him:-- + + "If thou wilt speak the truth unmixed with lies, + Unmixed with false prevaricating words, + And faithfully point out to me the caves + Of the White Demon and his warrior chiefs-- + And where Káús is prisoned--thy reward + Shall be the kingdom of Mázinderán; + For I, myself, will place thee on that throne. + But if thou play'st me false--thy worthless blood + Shall answer for the foul deception." + + "Stay, + Be not in wrath," Aúlád at once replied-- + "Thy wish shall be fulfilled--and thou shalt know + Where king Káús is prisoned--and, beside, + Where the White Demon reigns. Between two dark + And lofty mountains, in two hundred caves + Immeasurably deep, his people dwell. + Twelve hundred Demons keep the watch by night + And Baid, and Sinja. Like a reed, the hills + Tremble whenever the White Demon moves. + But dangerous is the way. A stony desert + Lies full before thee, which the nimble deer + Has never passed. Then a prodigious stream + Two farsangs wide obstructs thy path, whose banks + Are covered with a host of warrior-Demons, + Guarding the passage to Mázinderán; + And thou art but a single man--canst thou + O'ercome such fearful obstacles as these?" + + At this the Champion smiled. "Show but the way, + And thou shalt see what one man can perform, + With power derived from God! Lead on, with speed, + To royal Káús." With obedient haste + Aúlád proceeded, Rustem following fast, + Mounted on Rakush. Neither dismal night + Nor joyous day they rested--on they went + Until at length they reached the fatal field, + Where Káús was o'ercome. At midnight hour, + Whilst watching with attentive eye and ear, + A piercing clamor echoed all around, + And blazing fires were seen, and numerous lamps + Burnt bright on every side. Rustem inquired + What this might be. "It is Mázinderán," + Aúlád rejoined, "and the White Demon's chiefs + Are gathered there." Then Rustem to a tree + Bound his obedient guide--to keep him safe, + And to recruit his strength, laid down awhile + And soundly slept. + + When morning dawned, he rose, + And mounting Rakush, put his helmet on, + The tiger-skin defended his broad chest, + And sallying forth, he sought the Demon chief, + Arzang, and summoned him with such a roar + That stream and mountain shook. Arzang sprang up, + Hearing a human voice, and from his tent + Indignant issued--him the champion met, + And clutched his arms and ears, and from his body + Tore off the gory head, and cast it far + Amidst the shuddering Demons, who with fear + Shrunk back and fled, precipitate, lest they + Should likewise feel that dreadful punishment. + +Sixth Stage.--After this achievement Rustem returned to the place where +he had left Aúlád, and having released him, sat down under the tree and +related what he had done. He then commanded his guide to show the way to +the place where Kai-káús was confined; and when the champion entered the +city of Mázinderán, the neighing of Rakush was so loud that the sound +distinctly reached the ears of the captive monarch. Káús rejoiced, and +said to his people: "I have heard the voice of Rakush, and my +misfortunes are at an end;" but they thought he was either insane or +telling them a dream. The actual appearance of Rustem, however, soon +satisfied them. Gúdarz, and Tús, and Báhrám, and Gíw, and Gustahem, were +delighted to meet him, and the king embraced him with great warmth and +affection, and heard from him with admiration the story of his wonderful +progress and exploits. But Káús and his warriors, under the influence +and spells of the Demons, were still blind, and he cautioned Rustem +particularly to conceal Rakush from the sight of the sorcerers, for if +the White Demon should hear of the slaughter of Arzang, and the +conqueror being at Mázinderán, he would immediately assemble an +overpowering army of Demons, and the consequences might be terrible. + + "But thou must storm the cavern of the Demons + And their gigantic chief--great need there is + For sword and battle-axe--and with the aid + Of Heaven, these miscreant sorcerers may fall + Victims to thy avenging might. The road + Is straight before thee--reach the Seven Mountains, + And there thou wilt discern the various groups, + Which guard the awful passage. Further on, + Within a deep and horrible recess, + Frowns the White Demon--conquer him--destroy + That fell magician, and restore to sight + Thy suffering king, and all his warrior train. + The wise in cures declare, that the warm blood + From the White Demon's heart, dropped in the eye, + Removes all blindness--it is, then, my hope, + Favored by God, that thou wilt slay the fiend, + And save us from the misery we endure, + The misery of darkness without end." + +Rustem accordingly, after having warned his friends and companions in +arms to keep on the alert, prepared for the enterprise, and guided by +Aúlád, hurried on till he came to the Haft-koh, or Seven Mountains. +There he found numerous companies of Demons; and coming to one of the +caverns, saw it crowded with the same awful beings. And now consulting +with Aúlád, he was informed that the most advantageous time for attack +would be when the sun became hot, for then all the Demons were +accustomed to go to sleep, with the exception of a very small number who +were appointed to keep watch. He therefore waited till the sun rose high +in the firmament; and as soon as he had bound Aúlád to a tree hand and +foot, with the thongs of his kamund, drew his sword, and rushed among +the prostrate Demons, dismembering and slaying all that fell in his way. +Dreadful was the carnage, and those who survived fled in the wildest +terror from the champion's fury. + +Seventh Stage.--Rustem now hastened forward to encounter the White +Demon. + + Advancing to the cavern, he looked down + And saw a gloomy place, dismal as hell; + But not one cursed, impious sorcerer + Was visible in that infernal depth. + Awhile he stood--his falchion in his grasp, + And rubbed his eyes to sharpen his dim sight, + And then a mountain-form, covered with hair, + Filling up all the space, rose into view. + The monster was asleep, but presently + The daring shouts of Rustem broke his rest, + And brought him suddenly upon his feet, + When seizing a huge mill-stone, forth he came, + And thus accosted the intruding chief: + "Art thou so tired of life, that reckless thus + Thou dost invade the precincts of the Demons? + Tell me thy name, that I may not destroy + A nameless thing!" The champion stern replied, + "My name is Rustem--sent by Zál, my father, + Descended from the champion Sám Súwár, + To be revenged on thee--the King of Persia + Being now a prisoner in Mázinderán." + When the accursed Demon heard the name + Of Sám Súwár, he, like a serpent, writhed + In agony of spirit; terrified + At that announcement--then, recovering strength, + He forward sprang, and hurled the mill-stone huge + Against his adversary, who fell back + And disappointed the prodigious blow. + Black frowned the Demon, and through Rustem's heart + A wild sensation ran of dire alarm; + But, rousing up, his courage was revived, + And wielding furiously his beaming sword, + He pierced the Demon's thigh, and lopped the limb; + Then both together grappled, and the cavern + Shook with the contest--each, at times, prevailed; + The flesh of both was torn, and streaming blood + Crimsoned the earth. "If I survive this day," + Said Rustem in his heart, in that dread strife, + "My life must be immortal." The White Demon, + With equal terror, muttered to himself: + "I now despair of life--sweet life; no more + Shall I be welcomed at Mázinderán." + And still they struggled hard--still sweat and blood + Poured down at every strain. Rustem, at last, + Gathering fresh power, vouchsafed by favouring Heaven + And bringing all his mighty strength to bear, + Raised up the gasping Demon in his arms, + And with such fury dashed him to the ground, + That life no longer moved his monstrous frame. + Promptly he then tore out the reeking heart, + And crowds of demons simultaneous fell + As part of him, and stained the earth with gore; + Others who saw this signal overthrow, + Trembled, and hurried from the scene of blood. + Then the great victor, issuing from that cave + With pious haste--took off his helm, and mail, + And royal girdle--and with water washed + His face and body--choosing a pure place + For prayer--to praise his Maker--Him who gave + The victory, the eternal source of good; + Without whose grace and blessing, what is man! + With it his armor is impregnable. + +The Champion having finished his prayer, resumed his war habiliments, +and going to Aúlád, released him from the tree, and gave into his charge +the heart of the White Demon. He then pursued his journey back to Káús +at Mázinderán. On the way Aúlád solicited some reward for the services +he had performed, and Rustem again promised that he should be appointed +governor of the country. + + "But first the monarch of Mázinderán, + The Demon-king, must be subdued, and cast + Into the yawning cavern--and his legions + Of foul enchanters, utterly destroyed." + +Upon his arrival at Mázinderán, Rustem related to his sovereign all that +he had accomplished, and especially that he had torn out and brought +away the White Demon's heart, the blood of which was destined to restore +Kai-káús and his warriors to sight. Rustem was not long in applying the +miraculous remedy, and the moment the blood touched their eyes, the +fearful blindness was perfectly cured. + + The champion brought the Demon's heart, + And squeezed the blood from every part, + Which, dropped upon the injured sight, + Made all things visible and bright; + One moment broke that magic gloom, + Which seemed more dreadful than the tomb. + +The monarch immediately ascended his throne surrounded by all his +warriors, and seven days were spent in mutual congratulations and +rejoicing. On the eighth day they all resumed the saddle, and proceeded +to complete the destruction of the enemy. They set fire to the city, and +burnt it to the ground, and committed such horrid carnage among the +remaining magicians that streams of loathsome blood crimsoned all the +place. + +Káús afterwards sent Ferhád as an ambassador to the king of Mázinderán, +suggesting to him the expediency of submission, and representing to him +the terrible fall of Arzang, and of the White Demon with all his host, +as a warning against resistance to the valor of Rustem. But when the +king of Mázinderán heard from Ferhád the purpose of his embassy, he +expressed great astonishment, and replied that he himself was superior +in all respects to Káús; that his empire was more extensive, and his +warriors more numerous and brave. "Have I not," said he, "a hundred +war-elephants, and Káús not one? Wherever I move, conquest marks my way; +why then should I fear the sovereign of Persia? Why should I submit to +him?" + +This haughty tone made a deep impression upon Ferhád, who returning +quickly, told Káús of the proud bearing and fancied power of the ruler +of Mázinderán. Rustem was immediately sent for; and so indignant was he +on hearing the tidings, that "every hair on his body started up like a +spear," and he proposed to go himself with a second dispatch. The king +was too much pleased to refuse, and another letter was written more +urgent than the first, threatening the enemy to hang up his severed head +on the walls of his own fort, if he persisted in his contumacy and scorn +of the offer made. + +As soon as Rustem had come within a short distance of the court of the +king of Mázinderán, accounts reached his majesty of the approach of +another ambassador, when a deputation of warriors was sent to receive +him. Rustem observing them, and being in sight of the hostile army, with +a view to show his strength, tore up a large tree on the road by the +roots, and dexterously wielded it in his hand like a spear. Tilting +onwards, he flung it down before the wondering enemy, and one of the +chiefs then thought it incumbent upon him to display his own prowess. He +advanced, and offered to grasp hands with Rustem: they met; but the +gripe of the champion was so excruciating that the sinews of his +adversary cracked, and in agony he fell from his horse. Intelligence of +this discomfiture was instantly conveyed to the king, who then summoned +his most valiant and renowned chieftain, Kálahúr, and directed him to go +and punish, signally, the warrior who had thus presumed to triumph over +one of his heroes. Accordingly Kálahúr appeared, and boastingly +stretched out his hand, which Rustem wrung with such grinding force, +that the very nails dropped off, and blood started from his body. This +was enough, and Kálahúr hastily returned to the king, and anxiously +recommended him to submit to terms, as it would be in vain to oppose +such invincible strength. The king was both grieved and angry at this +situation of affairs, and invited the ambassador to his presence. After +inquiring respecting Káús and the Persian army, he said: + + "And thou art Rustem, clothed with mighty power, + Who slaughtered the White Demon, and now comest + To crush the monarch of Mázinderán!" + "No!" said the champion, "I am but his servant, + And even unworthy of that noble station; + My master being a warrior, the most valiant + That ever graced the world since time began. + Nothing am I; but what doth he resemble! + What is a lion, elephant, or demon! + Engaged in fight, he is himself a host!" + +The ambassador then tried to convince the king of the folly of +resistance, and of his certain defeat if he continued to defy the power +of Káús and the bravery of Rustem; but the effort was fruitless, and +both states prepared for battle. + +The engagement which ensued was obstinate and sanguinary, and after +seven days of hard fighting, neither army was victorious, neither +defeated. Afflicted at this want of success, Káús grovelled in the dust, +and prayed fervently to the Almighty to give him the triumph. He +addressed all his warriors, one by one, and urged them to increased +exertions; and on the eighth day, when the battle was renewed, prodigies +of valor were performed. Rustem singled out, and encountered the king of +Mázinderán, and fiercely they fought together with sword and javelin; +but suddenly, just as he was rushing on with overwhelming force, his +adversary, by his magic art, transformed himself into a stony rock. +Rustem and the Persian warriors were all amazement. The fight had been +suspended for some time, when Káús came forward to inquire the cause; +and hearing with astonishment of the transformation, ordered his +soldiers to drag the enchanted mass towards his own tent; but all the +strength that could be applied was unequal to move so great a weight, +till Rustem set himself to the task, and amidst the wondering army, +lifted up the rock and conveyed it to the appointed place. He then +addressed the work of sorcery, and said: "If thou dost not resume thy +original shape, I will instantly break thee, flinty-rock as thou now +art, into atoms, and scatter thee in the dust." The magician-king was +alarmed by this threat, and reappeared in his own form, and then Rustem, +seizing his hand, brought him to Káús, who, as a punishment for his +wickedness and atrocity, ordered him to be slain, and his body to be cut +into a thousand pieces! The wealth of the country was immediately +afterwards secured; and at the recommendation of Rustem, Aúlád was +appointed governor of Mázinderán. After the usual thanksgivings and +rejoicings on account of the victory, Káús and his warriors returned to +Persia, where splendid honors and rewards were bestowed on every soldier +for his heroic services. Rustem having received the highest +acknowledgments of his merit, took leave, and returned to his father Zál +at Zábulistán. + +Suddenly an ardent desire arose in the heart of Káús to survey all the +provinces and states of his empire. He wished to visit Túrán, and Chín, +and Mikrán, and Berber, and Zirra. Having commenced his royal tour of +inspection, he found the King of Berberistán in a state of rebellion, +with his army prepared to dispute his authority. A severe battle was the +consequence; but the refractory sovereign was soon compelled to retire, +and the elders of the city came forward to sue for mercy and protection. +After this triumph, Káús turned towards the mountain Káf, and visited +various other countries, and in his progress became the guest of the son +of Zál in Zábulistán where he stayed a month, enjoying the pleasures of +the festive board and the sports of the field. + +The disaffection of the King of Hámáverán, in league with the King of +Misser and Shám, and the still hostile King of Berberistán, soon, +however, drew him from Ním-rúz, and quitting the principality of Rustem, +his arms were promptly directed against his new enemy, who in the +contest which ensued, made an obstinate resistance, but was at length +overpowered, and obliged to ask for quarter. After the battle, Káús was +informed that the Sháh had a daughter of great beauty, named Súdáveh, +possessing a form as graceful as the tall cypress, musky ringlets, and +all the charms of Heaven. From the description of this damsel he became +enamoured, and through the medium of a messenger, immediately offered +himself to be her husband. The father did not seem to be glad at this +proposal, observing to the messenger, that he had but two things in life +valuable to him, and those were his daughter and his property; one was +his solace and delight, and the other his support; to be deprived of +both would be death to him; still he could not gainsay the wishes of a +king of such power, and his conqueror. He then sorrowfully communicated +the overture to his child, who, however, readily consented; and in the +course of a week, the bride was sent escorted by soldiers, and +accompanied by a magnificent cavalcade, consisting of a thousand horses +and mules, a thousand camels, and numerous female attendants. When +Súdáveh descended from her litter, glowing with beauty, with her rich +dark tresses flowing to her feet, and cheeks like the rose, Káús +regarded her with admiration and rapture; and so impatient was he to +possess that lovely treasure, that the marriage rites were performed +according to the laws of the country without delay. + +The Sháh of Hámáverán, however, was not satisfied, and he continually +plotted within himself how he might contrive to regain possession of +Súdáveh, as well as be revenged upon the king. With this view he invited +Káús to be his guest for a while; but Súdáveh cautioned the king not to +trust to the treachery which dictated the invitation, as she apprehended +from it nothing but mischief and disaster. The warning, however, was of +no avail, for Káús accepted the proffered hospitality of his new +father-in-law. He accordingly proceeded with his bride and his most +famous warriors to the city, where he was received and entertained in +the most sumptuous manner, seated on a gorgeous throne, and felt +infinitely exhilarated with the magnificence and the hilarity by which +he was surrounded. Seven days were passed in this glorious banqueting +and delight; but on the succeeding night, the sound of trumpets and the +war-cry was heard. The intrusion of soldiers changed the face of the +scene; and the king, who had just been waited on, and pampered with such +respect and devotion, was suddenly seized, together with his principal +warriors, and carried off to a remote fortress, situated on a high +mountain, where they were imprisoned, and guarded by a thousand valiant +men. His tents were plundered, and all his treasure taken away. At this +event his wife was inconsolable and deaf to all entreaties from her +father, declaring that she preferred death to separation from her +husband; upon which she was conveyed to the same dungeon, to mingle +groans with the captive king. + + Alas! how false and fickle is the world, + Friendship nor pleasure, nor the ties of blood, + Can check the headlong course of human passions; + Treachery still laughs at kindred;--who is safe + In this tumultuous sphere of strife and sorrow? + + + +INVASION OF IRÁN BY AFRÁSIYÁB + +The intelligence of Káús's imprisonment was very soon spread through the +world, and operated as a signal to all the inferior states to get +possession of Irán. Afrásiyáb was the most powerful aspirant to the +throne; and gathering an immense army, he hurried from Túrán, and made a +rapid incursion into the country, which after three months he succeeded +in conquering, scattering ruin and desolation wherever he came. + +Some of those who escaped from the field bent their steps towards +Zábulistán, by whom Rustem was informed of the misfortunes in which Káús +was involved; it therefore became necessary that he should again +endeavor to effect the liberation of his sovereign; and accordingly, +after assembling his troops from different quarters, the first thing he +did was to despatch a messenger to Hámáverán, with a letter, demanding +the release of the prisoners; and in the event of a refusal, declaring +the king should suffer the same fate as the White Demon and the +magician-monarch of Mázinderán. Although this threat produced +considerable alarm in the breast of the king of Hámáverán, he arrogantly +replied, that if Rustem wished to be placed in the same situation as +Káús, he was welcome to come as soon as he liked. + +Upon hearing this defiance, Rustem left Zábulistán, and after an arduous +journey by land and water, arrived at the confines of Hámáverán. The +king of that country, roused by the noise and uproar, and bold aspect of +the invading army, drew up his own forces, and a battle ensued, but he +was unequal to stand his ground before the overwhelming courage of +Rustem. His troops fled in confusion, and then almost in despair he +anxiously solicited assistance from the chiefs of Berber and Misser, +which was immediately given. Thus three kings and their armies were +opposed to the power and resources of one man. Their formidable array +covered an immense space. + + Each proud his strongest force to bring, + The eagle of valour flapped his wing. + +But when the King of Hámáverán beheld the person of Rustem in all its +pride and strength, and commanding power, he paused with apprehension +and fear, and intrenched himself well behind his own troops. Rustem, on +the contrary, was full of confidence. + + "What, though there be a hundred thousand men + Pitched against one, what use is there in numbers + When Heaven is on my side: with Heaven my friend, + The foe will soon be mingled with the dust." + +Having ordered the trumpets to sound, he rushed on the enemy, mounted on +Rakush, and committed dreadful havoc among them. + + It would be difficult to tell + How many heads, dissevered, fell, + Fighting his dreadful way; + On every side his falchion gleamed, + Hot blood in every quarter streamed + On that tremendous day. + +The chief of Hámáverán and his legions were the first to shrink from the +conflict; and then the King of Misser, ashamed of their cowardice, +rapidly advanced towards the champion with the intention of punishing +him for his temerity, but he had no sooner received one of Rustem's hard +blows on his head, than he turned to flight, and thus hoped to escape +the fury of his antagonist. That fortune, however, was denied him, for +being instantly pursued, he was caught with the kamund, or noose, thrown +round his loins, dragged from his horse, and safely delivered into the +hands of Báhrám, who bound him, and kept him by his side. + + Ring within ring the lengthening kamund flew, + And from his steed the astonished monarch drew. + +Having accomplished this signal capture, Rustem proceeded against the +troops under the Sháh of Berberistán, which, valorously aided as he was, +by Zúára, he soon vanquished and dispatched; and impelling Rakush +impetuously forward upon the sháh himself, made him and forty of his +principal chiefs prisoners of war. The King of Hámáverán, seeing the +horrible carnage, and the defeat of all his expectations, speedily sent +a messenger to Rustem, to solicit a suspension of the fight, offering to +deliver up Káús and all his warriors, and all the regal property and +treasure which had been plundered from him. The troops of the three +kingdoms also urgently prayed for quarter and protection, and Rustem +readily agreed to the proffered conditions. + + "Káús to liberty restore, + With all his chiefs, I ask no more; + For him alone I conquering came; + Than him no other prize I claim." + + + +THE RETURN OF KAI-KÁÚS + +It was a joyous day when Káús and his illustrious heroes were released +from their fetters, and removed from the mountain-fortress in which they +were confined. Rustem forthwith reseated him on his throne, and did not +fail to collect for the public treasury all the valuables of the three +states which had submitted to his power. The troops of Misser, +Berberistán, and Hámáverán, having declared their allegiance to the +Persian king, the accumulated numbers increased Káús's army to upwards +of three hundred thousand men, horse and foot, and with this immense +force he moved towards Irán. Before marching, however, he sent a message +to Afrásiyáb, commanding him to quit the country he had so unjustly +invaded, and recommending him to be contented with the territory of +Túrán. + + "Hast thou forgotten Rustem's power, + When thou wert in that perilous hour + By him overthrown? Thy girdle broke, + Or thou hadst felt the conqueror's yoke. + Thy crowding warriors proved thy shield, + They saved and dragged thee from the field; + By them unrescued then, wouldst thou + Have lived to vaunt thy prowess now?" + +This message was received with bitter feelings of resentment by +Afrásiyáb, who prepared his army for battle without delay, and promised +to bestow his daughter in marriage and a kingdom upon the man who should +succeed in taking Rustem alive. + +This proclamation was a powerful excitement: and when the engagement +took place, mighty efforts were made for the reward; but those who +aspired to deserve it were only the first to fall. Afrásiyáb beholding +the fall of so many of his chiefs, dashed forward to cope with the +champion: but his bravery was unavailing; for, suffering sharply under +the overwhelming attacks of Rustem, he was glad to effect his escape, +and retire from the field. In short, he rapidly retraced his steps to +Túrán, leaving Káús in full possession of the kingdom. + + With anguish stricken, he regained his home, + After a wild and ignominious flight; + The world presenting nothing to his lips + But poison-beverage; all was death to him. + +Káús being again seated on the throne of Persia, he resumed the +administration of affairs with admirable justice and liberality, and +despatched some of his most distinguished warriors to secure the welfare +and prosperity of the states of Mervi, and Balkh, and Níshapúr, and +Hírát. At the same time he conferred on Rustem the title of Jaháni +Pahlván, or, Champion of the World. + +In safety now from foreign and domestic enemies, Káús turned his +attention to pursuits very different from war and conquest. He directed +the Demons to construct two splendid palaces on the mountain Alberz, and +separate mansions for the accommodation of his household, which he +decorated in the most magnificent manner. All the buildings were +beautifully arranged both for convenience and pleasure; and gold and +silver and precious stones were used so lavishly, and the brilliancy +produced by their combined effect was so great, that night and day +appeared to be the same. + +Iblís, ever active, observing the vanity and ambition of the king, was +not long in taking advantage of the circumstance, and he soon persuaded +the Demons to enter into his schemes. Accordingly one of them, disguised +as a domestic servant, was instructed to present a nosegay to Káús; and +after respectfully kissing the ground, say to him:-- + + "Thou art great as king can be, + Boundless in thy majesty; + What is all this earth to thee, + All beneath the sky? + Peris, mortals, demons, hear + Thy commanding voice with fear; + Thou art lord of all things here, + But, thou canst not fly! + + "That remains for thee; to know + Things above, as things below, + How the planets roll; + How the sun his light displays, + How the moon darts forth her rays; + How the nights succeed the days; + What the secret cause betrays, + And who directs the whole!" + +This artful address of the Demon satisfied Káús of the imperfection of +his nature, and the enviable power which he had yet to obtain. To him, +therefore, it became matter of deep concern, how he might be enabled to +ascend the Heavens without wings, and for that purpose he consulted his +astrologers, who presently suggested a way in which his desires might be +successfully accomplished. + +They contrived to rob an eagle's nest of its young, which they reared +with great care, supplying them well with invigorating food, till they +grew large and strong. A framework of aloes-wood was then prepared; and +at each of the four corners was fixed perpendicularly, a javelin, +surmounted on the point with flesh of a goat. At each corner again one +of the eagles was bound, and in the middle Káús was seated in great pomp +with a goblet of wine before him. As soon as the eagles became hungry, +they endeavored to get at the goat's flesh upon the javelins, and by +flapping their wings and flying upwards, they quickly raised up the +throne from the ground. Hunger still pressing them, and still being +distant from their prey, they ascended higher and higher in the clouds, +conveying the astonished king far beyond his own country; but after long +and fruitless exertion their strength failed them, and unable to keep +their way, the whole fabric came tumbling down from the sky, and fell +upon a dreary solitude in the kingdom of Chín. There Káús was left, a +prey to hunger, alone, and in utter despair, until he was discovered by +a band of Demons, whom his anxious ministers had sent in search of him. + +Rustem, and Gúdarz, and Tús, at length heard of what had befallen the +king, and with feelings of sorrow not unmixed with indignation, set off +to his assistance. "Since I was born," said Gúdarz, "never did I see +such a man as Káús. He seems to be entirely destitute of reason and +understanding; always in distress and affliction. This is the third +calamity in which he has wantonly involved himself. First at Mázinderán, +then at Hámáverán, and now he is being punished for attempting to +discover the secrets of the Heavens!" When they reached the wilderness +into which Káús had fallen, Gúdarz repeated to him the same +observations, candidly telling him that he was fitter for a mad-house +than a throne, and exhorting him to be satisfied with his lot and be +obedient to God, the creator of all things. The miserable king was +softened to tears, acknowledged his folly; and as soon as he was +escorted back to his palace, he shut himself up, remaining forty days, +unseen, prostrating himself in shame and repentance. After that he +recovered his spirits, and resumed the administration of affairs with +his former liberality, clemency, and justice, almost rivalling the glory +of Feridún and Jemshíd. + +One day Rustem made a splendid feast; and whilst he and his brother +warriors, Gíw and Gúdarz, and Tús, were quaffing their wine, it was +determined upon to form a pretended hunting party, and repair to the +sporting grounds of Afrásiyáb. The feast lasted seven days; and on the +eighth, preparations were made for the march, an advance party being +pushed on to reconnoitre the motions of the enemy. Afrásiyáb was soon +informed of what was going on, and flattered himself with the hopes of +getting Rustem and his seven champions into his thrall, for which +purpose he called together his wise men and warriors, and said to them: +"You have only to secure these invaders, and Káús will soon cease to be +the sovereign of Persia." To accomplish this object, a Túránian army of +thirty thousand veterans was assembled, and ordered to occupy all the +positions and avenues in the vicinity of the sporting grounds. An +immense clamor, and thick clouds of dust, which darkened the skies, +announced their approach; and when intelligence of their numbers was +brought to Rustem, the undaunted champion smiled, and said to Garáz: +"Fortune favors me; what cause is there to fear the king of Túrán? his +army does not exceed a hundred thousand men. Were I alone, with Rakush, +with my armor, and battle-axe, I would not shrink from his legions. Have +I not seven companions in arms, and is not one of them equal to five +hundred Túránian heroes? Let Afrásiyáb dare to cross the boundary-river, +and the contest will presently convince him that he has only sought his +own defeat." Promptly at a signal the cup-bearer produced goblets of the +red wine of Zábul; and in one of them Rustem pledged his royal master +with loyalty, and Tús and Zúára joined in the convivial and social +demonstration of attachment to the king. + +The champion arrayed in his buburiyán, mounted Rakush, and advanced +towards the Túránian army. Afrásiyáb, when he beheld him in all his +terrible strength and vigor, was amazed and disheartened, accompanied, +as he was, by Tús, and Gúdarz, and Gurgín, and Gíw, and Báhrám, and +Berzín, and Ferhád. The drums and trumpets of Rustem were now heard, and +immediately the hostile forces engaged with dagger, sword, and javelin. +Dreadful was the onset, and the fury with which the conflict was +continued. In truth, so sanguinary and destructive was the battle that +Afrásiyáb exclaimed in grief and terror: "If this carnage lasts till the +close of day, not a man of my army will remain alive. Have I not one +warrior endued with sufficient bravery to oppose and subdue this mighty +Rustem? What! not one fit to be rewarded with a diadem, with my own +throne and kingdom, which I will freely give to the victor!" Pílsum +heard the promise, and was ambitious of earning the reward; but fate +decreed it otherwise. His prodigious efforts were of no avail. Alkús was +equally unsuccessful, though the bravest of the brave among the Túránian +warriors. Encountering Rustem, his brain was pierced by a javelin +wielded by the Persian hero, and he fell dead from his saddle. This +signal achievement astonished and terrified the Túránians, who, however, +made a further despairing effort against the champion and his seven +conquering companions, but with no better result than before, and +nothing remained to them excepting destruction or flight. Choosing the +latter they wheeled round, and endeavored to escape from the sanguinary +fate that awaited them. + +Seeing this precipitate movement of the enemy, Rustem impelled Rakush +forward in pursuit, addressing his favorite horse with fondness and +enthusiasm:-- + + "My valued friend--put forth thy speed, + This is a time of pressing need; + Bear me away amidst the strife, + That I may take that despot's life; + And with my mace and javelin, flood + This dusty plain with foe-man's blood." + + Excited by his master's cry, + The war-horse bounded o'er the plain, + So swiftly that he seemed to fly, + Snorting with pride, and tossing high + His streaming mane. + + And soon he reached that despot's side, + "Now is the time!" the Champion cried, + "This is the hour to victory given," + And flung his noose--which bound the king + Fast for a moment in its ring; + But soon, alas! the bond was riven. + + Haply the Tartar-monarch slipt away, + Not doomed to suffer on that bloody day; + And freed from thrall, he hurrying led + His legions cross the boundary-stream, + Leaving his countless heaps of dead + To rot beneath the solar beam. + + Onward he rushed with heart opprest, + And broken fortunes; he had quaffed + Bright pleasure's cup--but now, unblest, + Poison was mingled with the draught! + +The booty in horses, treasure, armor, pavilions, and tents, was immense; +and when the whole was secured, Rustem and his companions fell back to +the sporting-grounds already mentioned, from whence he informed Kai-káús +by letter of the victory that had been gained. After remaining two weeks +there, resting from the toils of war and enjoying the pleasures of +hunting, the party returned home to pay their respects to the Persian +king: + + And this is life! Thus conquest and defeat, + Vary the lights and shades of human scenes, + And human thought. Whilst some, immersed in pleasure, + Enjoy the sweets, others again endure + The miseries of the world. Hope is deceived + In this frail dwelling; certainty and safety + Are only dreams which mock the credulous mind; + Time sweeps o'er all things; why then should the wise + Mourn o'er events which roll resistless on, + And set at nought all mortal opposition? + + + +STORY OF SOHRÁB + + O ye, who dwell in Youth's inviting bowers, + Waste not, in useless joy, your fleeting hours, + But rather let the tears of sorrow roll, + And sad reflection fill the conscious soul. + For many a jocund spring has passed away, + And many a flower has blossomed, to decay; + And human life, still hastening to a close, + Finds in the worthless dust its last repose. + Still the vain world abounds in strife and hate, + And sire and son provoke each other's fate; + And kindred blood by kindred hands is shed, + And vengeance sleeps not--dies not, with the dead. + All nature fades--the garden's treasures fall, + Young bud, and citron ripe--all perish, all. + + And now a tale of sorrow must be told, + A tale of tears, derived from Múbid old, + And thus remembered.-- + + With the dawn of day, + Rustem arose, and wandering took his way, + Armed for the chase, where sloping to the sky, + Túrán's lone wilds in sullen grandeur lie; + There, to dispel his melancholy mood, + He urged his matchless steed through glen and wood. + Flushed with the noble game which met his view, + He starts the wild-ass o'er the glistening dew; + And, oft exulting, sees his quivering dart, + Plunge through the glossy skin, and pierce the heart. + Tired of the sport, at length, he sought the shade, + Which near a stream embowering trees displayed, + And with his arrow's point, a fire he raised, + And thorns and grass before him quickly blazed. + The severed parts upon a bough he cast, + To catch the flames; and when the rich repast + Was drest; with flesh and marrow, savory food, + He quelled his hunger; and the sparkling flood + That murmured at his feet, his thirst represt; + Then gentle sleep composed his limbs to rest. + + Meanwhile his horse, for speed and form renown'd, + Ranged o'er the plain with flowery herbage crown'd, + Encumbering arms no more his sides opprest, + No folding mail confined his ample chest,[12] + Gallant and free, he left the Champion's side, + And cropp'd the mead, or sought the cooling tide; + When lo! it chanced amid that woodland chase, + A band of horsemen, rambling near the place, + Saw, with surprise, superior game astray, + And rushed at once to seize the noble prey; + But, in the imminent struggle, two beneath + His steel-clad hoofs received the stroke of death; + One proved a sterner fate--for downward borne, + The mangled head was from the shoulders torn. + Still undismayed, again they nimbly sprung, + And round his neck the noose entangling flung: + Now, all in vain, he spurns the smoking ground, + In vain the tumult echoes all around; + They bear him off, and view, with ardent eyes, + His matchless beauty and majestic size; + Then soothe his fury, anxious to obtain, + A bounding steed of his immortal strain. + + When Rustem woke, and miss'd his favourite horse, + The loved companion of his glorious course; + Sorrowing he rose, and, hastening thence, began + To shape his dubious way to Samengán; + "Reduced to journey thus, alone!" he said, + "How pierce the gloom which thickens round my head; + Burthen'd, on foot, a dreary waste in view, + Where shall I bend my steps, what path pursue? + The scoffing Turks will cry, 'Behold our might! + We won the trophy from the Champion-knight! + From him who, reckless of his fame and pride, + Thus idly slept, and thus ignobly died,'" + Girding his loins he gathered from the field, + His quivered stores, his beamy sword and shield, + Harness and saddle-gear were o'er him slung. + Bridle and mail across his shoulders hung.[13] + Then looking round, with anxious eye, to meet, + The broad impression of his charger's feet, + The track he hail'd, and following, onward prest. + While grief and hope alternate filled his breast. + + O'er vale and wild-wood led, he soon descries. + The regal city's shining turrets rise. + And when the Champion's near approach is known, + The usual homage waits him to the throne. + The king, on foot, received his welcome guest + With preferred friendship, and his coming blest: + But Rustem frowned, and with resentment fired, + Spoke of his wrongs, the plundered steed required. + "I've traced his footsteps to your royal town, + Here must he be, protected by your crown; + But if retained, if not from fetters freed, + My vengeance shall o'ertake the felon-deed." + "My honored guest!" the wondering King replied-- + "Shall Rustem's wants or wishes be denied? + But let not anger, headlong, fierce, and blind, + O'ercloud the virtues of a generous mind. + If still within the limits of my reign, + The well known courser shall be thine again: + For Rakush never can remain concealed, + No more than Rustem in the battle-field! + Then cease to nourish useless rage, and share + With joyous heart my hospitable fare." + + The son of Zál now felt his wrath subdued, + And glad sensations in his soul renewed. + The ready herald by the King's command, + Convened the Chiefs and Warriors of the land; + And soon the banquet social glee restored, + And China wine-cups glittered on the board; + And cheerful song, and music's magic power, + And sparkling wine, beguiled the festive hour. + The dulcet draughts o'er Rustem's senses stole, + And melting strains absorbed his softened soul. + But when approached the period of repose, + All, prompt and mindful, from the banquet rose; + A couch was spread well worthy such a guest, + Perfumed with rose and musk; and whilst at rest, + In deep sound sleep, the wearied Champion lay, + Forgot were all the sorrows of the way. + + One watch had passed, and still sweet slumber shed + Its magic power around the hero's head-- + When forth Tahmíneh came--a damsel held + An amber taper, which the gloom dispelled, + And near his pillow stood; in beauty bright, + The monarch's daughter struck his wondering sight. + Clear as the moon, in glowing charms arrayed, + Her winning eyes the light of heaven displayed; + Her cypress form entranced the gazer's view, + Her waving curls, the heart, resistless, drew, + Her eye-brows like the Archer's bended bow; + Her ringlets, snares; her cheek, the rose's glow, + Mixed with the lily--from her ear-tips hung + Rings rich and glittering, star-like; and her tongue, + And lips, all sugared sweetness--pearls the while + Sparkled within a mouth formed to beguile. + Her presence dimmed the stars, and breathing round + Fragrance and joy, she scarcely touched the ground, + So light her step, so graceful--every part + Perfect, and suited to her spotless heart. + + Rustem, surprised, the gentle maid addressed, + And asked what lovely stranger broke his rest. + "What is thy name," he said--"what dost thou seek + Amidst the gloom of night? Fair vision, speak!" + + "O thou," she softly sigh'd, "of matchless fame! + With pity hear, Tahmíneh is my name! + The pangs of love my anxious heart employ, + And flattering promise long-expected joy; + No curious eye has yet these features seen, + My voice unheard, beyond the sacred screen.[14] + How often have I listened with amaze, + To thy great deeds, enamoured of thy praise; + How oft from every tongue I've heard the strain, + And thought of thee--and sighed, and sighed again. + The ravenous eagle, hovering o'er his prey, + Starts at thy gleaming sword and flies away: + Thou art the slayer of the Demon brood, + And the fierce monsters of the echoing wood. + Where'er thy mace is seen, shrink back the bold, + Thy javelin's flash all tremble to behold. + Enchanted with the stories of thy fame, + My fluttering heart responded to thy name; + And whilst their magic influence I felt, + In prayer for thee devotedly I knelt; + And fervent vowed, thus powerful glory charms, + No other spouse should bless my longing arms. + Indulgent heaven propitious to my prayer, + Now brings thee hither to reward my care. + Túrán's dominions thou hast sought, alone, + By night, in darkness--thou, the mighty one! + O claim my hand, and grant my soul's desire; + Ask me in marriage of my royal sire; + Perhaps a boy our wedded love may crown, + Whose strength like thine may gain the world's renown. + Nay more--for Samengán will keep my word-- + Rakush to thee again shall be restored." + + The damsel thus her ardent thought expressed, + And Rustem's heart beat joyous in his breast, + Hearing her passion--not a word was lost, + And Rakush safe, by him still valued most; + He called her near; with graceful step she came, + And marked with throbbing pulse his kindled flame. + + And now a Múbid, from the Champion-knight, + Requests the royal sanction to the rite; + O'erjoyed, the King the honoured suit approves, + O'erjoyed to bless the doting child he loves, + And happier still, in showering smiles around, + To be allied to warrior so renowned. + When the delighted father, doubly blest, + Resigned his daughter to his glorious guest, + The people shared the gladness which it gave, + The union of the beauteous and the brave. + To grace their nuptial day--both old and young, + The hymeneal gratulations sung: + "May this young moon bring happiness and joy, + And every source of enmity destroy." + The marriage-bower received the happy pair, + And love and transport shower'd their blessings there. + + Ere from his lofty sphere the morn had thrown + His glittering radiance, and in splendour shone, + The mindful Champion, from his sinewy arm, + His bracelet drew, the soul-ennobling charm; + And, as he held the wondrous gift with pride, + He thus address'd his love-devoted bride! + "Take this," he said, "and if, by gracious heaven, + A daughter for thy solace should be given, + Let it among her ringlets be displayed, + And joy and honour will await the maid; + But should kind fate increase the nuptial-joy, + And make thee mother of a blooming boy, + Around his arm this magic bracelet bind, + To fire with virtuous deeds his ripening mind; + The strength of Sám will nerve his manly form, + In temper mild, in valour like the storm; + His not the dastard fate to shrink, or turn + From where the lions of the battle burn; + To him the soaring eagle from the sky + Will stoop, the bravest yield to him, or fly; + Thus shall his bright career imperious claim + The well-won honours of immortal fame!" + Ardent he said, and kissed her eyes and face, + And lingering held her in a fond embrace. + + When the bright sun his radiant brow displayed, + And earth in all its loveliest hues arrayed, + The Champion rose to leave his spouse's side, + The warm affections of his weeping bride. + For her, too soon the winged moments flew, + Too soon, alas! the parting hour she knew; + Clasped in his arms, with many a streaming tear, + She tried, in vain, to win his deafen'd ear; + Still tried, ah fruitless struggle! to impart, + The swelling anguish of her bursting heart. + + The father now with gratulations due + Rustem approaches, and displays to view + The fiery war-horse--welcome as the light + Of heaven, to one immersed in deepest night; + The Champion, wild with joy, fits on the rein, + And girds the saddle on his back again; + Then mounts, and leaving sire and wife behind, + Onward to Sístán rushes like the wind. + + But when returned to Zábul's friendly shade, + None knew what joys the Warrior had delayed; + Still, fond remembrance, with endearing thought, + Oft to his mind the scene of rapture brought. + + When nine slow-circling months had roll'd away, + Sweet-smiling pleasure hailed the brightening day-- + A wondrous boy Tahmíneh's tears supprest, + And lull'd the sorrows of her heart to rest; + To him, predestined to be great and brave, + The name Sohráb his tender mother gave; + And as he grew, amazed, the gathering throng, + View'd his large limbs, his sinews firm and strong; + His infant years no soft endearment claimed: + Athletic sports his eager soul inflamed; + Broad at the chest and taper round the loins, + Where to the rising hip the body joins; + Hunter and wrestler; and so great his speed, + He could overtake, and hold the swiftest steed. + His noble aspect, and majestic grace, + Betrayed the offspring of a glorious race. + How, with a mother's ever anxious love, + Still to retain him near her heart she strove! + For when the father's fond inquiry came, + Cautious, she still concealed his birth and name, + And feign'd a daughter born, the evil fraught + With misery to avert--but vain the thought; + Not many years had passed, with downy flight, + Ere he, Tahmíneh's wonder and delight, + With glistening eye, and youthful ardour warm, + Filled her foreboding bosom with alarm. + "O now relieve my heart!" he said, "declare, + From whom I sprang and breathe the vital air. + Since, from my childhood I have ever been, + Amidst my play-mates of superior mien; + Should friend or foe demand my father's name, + Let not my silence testify my shame! + If still concealed, you falter, still delay, + A mother's blood shall wash the crime away." + + "This wrath forego," the mother answering cried, + "And joyful hear to whom thou art allied. + A glorious line precedes thy destined birth, + The mightiest heroes of the sons of earth. + The deeds of Sám remotest realms admire, + And Zál, and Rustem thy illustrious sire!" + + In private, then, she Rustem's letter placed + Before his view, and brought with eager haste + Three sparkling rubies, wedges three of gold, + From Persia sent--"Behold," she said, "behold + Thy father's gifts, will these thy doubts remove + The costly pledges of paternal love! + Behold this bracelet charm, of sovereign power + To baffle fate in danger's awful hour; + But thou must still the perilous secret keep, + Nor ask the harvest of renown to reap; + For when, by this peculiar signet known, + Thy glorious father shall demand his son, + Doomed from her only joy in life to part, + O think what pangs will rend thy mother's heart!-- + Seek not the fame which only teems with woe; + Afrásiyáb is Rustem's deadliest foe! + And if by him discovered, him I dread, + Revenge will fail upon thy guiltless head." + + The youth replied: "In vain thy sighs and tears, + The secret breathes and mocks thy idle fears. + No human power can fate's decrees control, + Or check the kindled ardour of my soul. + Then why from me the bursting truth conceal? + My father's foes even now my vengeance feel; + Even now in wrath my native legions rise, + And sounds of desolation strike the skies; + Káús himself, hurled from his ivory throne, + Shall yield to Rustem the imperial crown, + And thou, my mother, still in triumph seen, + Of lovely Persia hailed the honoured queen! + Then shall Túrán unite beneath my hand, + And drive this proud oppressor from the land! + Father and Son, in virtuous league combined, + No savage despot shall enslave mankind; + When Sun and Moon o'er heaven refulgent blaze, + Shall little stars obtrude their feeble rays?"[15] + + He paused, and then: "O mother, I must now + My father seek, and see his lofty brow; + Be mine a horse, such as a prince demands, + Fit for the dusty field, a warrior's hands; + Strong as an elephant his form should be, + And chested like the stag, in motion free, + And swift as bird, or fish; it would disgrace + A warrior bold on foot to show his face." + + The mother, seeing how his heart was bent, + His day-star rising in the firmament, + Commands the stables to be searched to find + Among the steeds one suited to his mind; + Pressing their backs he tries their strength and nerve, + Bent double to the ground their bellies curve; + Not one, from neighbouring plain and mountain brought, + Equals the wish with which his soul is fraught; + Fruitless on every side he anxious turns, + Fruitless, his brain with wild impatience burns, + But when at length they bring the destined steed, + From Rakush bred, of lightning's winged speed, + Fleet, as the arrow from the bow-string flies, + Fleet, as the eagle darting through the skies, + Rejoiced he springs, and, with a nimble bound, + Vaults in his seat, and wheels the courser round; + "With such a horse--thus mounted, what remains? + Káús, the Persian King, no longer reigns!" + High flushed he speaks--with youthful pride elate, + Eager to crush the Monarch's glittering state; + He grasps his javelin with a hero's might, + And pants with ardour for the field of fight. + + Soon o'er the realm his fame expanding spread, + And gathering thousands hasten'd to his aid. + His Grand-sire, pleased, beheld the warrior-train + Successive throng and darken all the plain; + And bounteously his treasures he supplied, + Camels, and steeds, and gold.--In martial pride, + Sohráb was seen--a Grecian helmet graced + His brow--and costliest mail his limbs embraced. + + Afrásiyáb now hears with ardent joy, + The bold ambition of the warrior-boy, + Of him who, perfumed with the milky breath + Of infancy, was threatening war and death, + And bursting sudden from his mother's side, + Had launched his bark upon the perilous tide. + + The insidious King sees well the tempting hour, + Favouring his arms against the Persian power, + And thence, in haste, the enterprise to share, + Twelve thousand veterans selects with care; + To Húmán and Bármán the charge consigns, + And thus his force with Samengán combines; + But treacherous first his martial chiefs he prest, + To keep the secret fast within their breast:-- + "For this bold youth must not his father know, + Each must confront the other as his foe-- + Such is my vengeance! With unhallowed rage, + Father and Son shall dreadful battle wage! + Unknown the youth shall Rustem's force withstand, + And soon o'erwhelm the bulwark of the land. + Rustem removed, the Persian throne is ours, + An easy conquest to confederate powers; + And then, secured by some propitious snare, + Sohráb himself our galling bonds shall wear. + Or should the Son by Rustem's falchion bleed, + The father's horror at that fatal deed, + Will rend his soul, and 'midst his sacred grief, + Káús in vain will supplicate relief." + + The tutored chiefs advance with speed, and bring + Imperial presents to the future king; + In stately pomp the embassy proceeds; + Ten loaded camels, ten unrivalled steeds, + A golden crown, and throne, whose jewels bright + Gleam in the sun, and shed a sparkling light, + A letter too the crafty tyrant sends, + And fraudful thus the glorious aim commends.-- + "If Persia's spoils invite thee to the field, + Accept the aid my conquering legions yield; + Led by two Chiefs of valour and renown, + Upon thy head to place the kingly crown." + + Elate with promised fame, the youth surveys + The regal vest, the throne's irradiant blaze, + The golden crown, the steeds, the sumptuous load + Of ten strong camels, craftily bestowed; + Salutes the Chiefs, and views on every side, + The lengthening ranks with various arms supplied. + The march begins--the brazen drums resound,[16] + His moving thousands hide the trembling ground; + For Persia's verdant land he wields the spear, + And blood and havoc mark his groaning rear.[17] + + To check the Invader's horror-spreading course, + The barrier-fort opposed unequal force; + That fort whose walls, extending wide, contained + The stay of Persia, men to battle trained. + Soon as Hujír the dusky crowd descried, + He on his own presumptuous arm relied, + And left the fort; in mail with shield and spear, + Vaunting he spoke--"What hostile force is here? + What Chieftain dares our war-like realms invade?" + "And who art thou?" Sohráb indignant said, + Rushing towards him with undaunted look-- + "Hast thou, audacious! nerve and soul to brook + The crocodile in fight, that to the strife + Singly thou comest, reckless of thy life?" + + To this the foe replied--"A Turk and I + Have never yet been bound in friendly tie; + And soon thy head shall, severed by my sword, + Gladden the sight of Persia's mighty lord, + While thy torn limbs to vultures shall be given, + Or bleach beneath the parching blast of heaven." + + The youthful hero laughing hears the boast, + And now by each continual spears are tost, + Mingling together; like a flood of fire + The boaster meets his adversary's ire; + The horse on which he rides, with thundering pace, + Seems like a mountain moving from its base; + Sternly he seeks the stripling's loins to wound, + But the lance hurtless drops upon the ground; + Sohráb, advancing, hurls his steady spear + Full on the middle of the vain Hujír, + Who staggers in his seat. With proud disdain + The youth now flings him headlong on the plain, + And quick dismounting, on his heaving breast + Triumphant stands, his Khunjer firmly prest, + To strike the head off--but the blow was stayed--Trembling, + for life, the craven boaster prayed. + That mercy granted eased his coward mind, + Though, dire disgrace, in captive bonds confined, + And sent to Húmán, who amazed beheld + How soon Sohráb his daring soul had quelled. + + When Gúrd-afríd, a peerless warrior-dame, + Heard of the conflict, and the hero's shame, + Groans heaved her breast, and tears of anger flowed, + Her tulip cheek with deeper crimson glowed; + Speedful, in arms magnificent arrayed, + A foaming palfrey bore the martial maid; + The burnished mail her tender limbs embraced, + Beneath her helm her clustering locks she placed; + Poised in her hand an iron javelin gleamed, + And o'er the ground its sparkling lustre streamed; + Accoutred thus in manly guise, no eye + However piercing could her sex descry; + Now, like a lion, from the fort she bends, + And 'midst the foe impetuously descends; + Fearless of soul, demands with haughty tone, + The bravest chief, for war-like valour known, + To try the chance of fight. In shining arms, + Again Sohráb the glow of battle warms; + With scornful smiles, "Another deer!" he cries, + "Come to my victor-toils, another prize!" + The damsel saw his noose insidious spread, + And soon her arrows whizzed around his head; + With steady skill the twanging bow she drew, + And still her pointed darts unerring flew; + For when in forest sports she touched the string, + Never escaped even bird upon the wing; + Furious he burned, and high his buckler held, + To ward the storm, by growing force impell'd; + And tilted forward with augmented wrath, + But Gúrd-áfríd aspires to cross his path; + Now o'er her back the slacken'd bow resounds; + She grasps her lance, her goaded courser bounds, + Driven on the youth with persevering might-- + Unconquer'd courage still prolongs the fight; + The stripling Chief shields off the threaten'd blow, + Reins in his steed, then rushes on the foe; + With outstretch'd arm, he bending backwards hung, + And, gathering strength, his pointed javelin flung; + Firm through her girdle belt the weapon went, + And glancing down the polish'd armour rent. + Staggering, and stunned by his superior force, + She almost tumbled from her foaming horse, + Yet unsubdued, she cut the spear in two, + And from her side the quivering fragment drew, + Then gain'd her seat, and onward urged her steed, + But strong and fleet Sohráb arrests her speed: + Strikes off her helm, and sees--a woman's face, + Radiant with blushes and commanding grace! + Thus undeceived, in admiration lost, + He cries, "A woman, from the Persian host! + If Persian damsels thus in arms engage, + Who shall repel their warrior's fiercer rage?" + Then from his saddle thong--his noose he drew, + And round her waist the twisted loop he threw-- + "Now seek not to escape," he sharply said, + "Such is the fate of war, unthinking maid! + And, as such beauty seldom swells our pride, + Vain thy attempt to cast my toils aside." + + In this extreme, but one resource remained, + Only one remedy her hope sustained-- + Expert in wiles each siren-art she knew, + And thence exposed her blooming face to view; + Raising her full black orbs, serenely bright, + In all her charms she blazed before his sight; + And thus addressed Sohráb--"O warrior brave, + Hear me, and thy imperilled honour save, + These curling tresses seen by either host, + A woman conquered, whence the glorious boast? + Thy startled troops will know, with inward grief, + A woman's arm resists their towering chief, + Better preserve a warrior's fair renown, + And let our struggle still remain unknown, + For who with wanton folly would expose + A helpless maid, to aggravate her woes; + The fort, the treasure, shall thy toils repay, + The chief, and garrison, thy will obey, + And thine the honours of this dreadful day." + + Raptured he gazed, her smiles resistless move + The wildest transports of ungoverned love. + Her face disclosed a paradise to view, + Eyes like the fawn, and cheeks of rosy hue-- + Thus vanquished, lost, unconscious of her aim, + And only struggling with his amorous flame, + He rode behind, as if compelled by fate, + And heedless saw her gain the castle-gate. + + Safe with her friends, escaped from brand and spear, + Smiling she stands, as if unknown to fear. + --The father now, with tearful pleasure wild, + Clasps to his heart his fondly-foster'd child; + The crowding warriors round her eager bend, + And grateful prayers to favouring heaven ascend. + + Now from the walls, she, with majestic air, + Exclaims: "Thou warrior of Túrán! forbear, + Why vex thy soul, and useless strife demand! + Go, and in peace enjoy thy native land." + Stern he rejoins: "Thou beauteous tyrant! say, + Though crown'd with charms, devoted to betray, + When these proud walls, in dust and ruins laid, + Yield no defence, and thou a captive maid, + Will not repentance through thy bosom dart, + And sorrow soften that disdainful heart?" + + Quick she replied: "O'er Persia's fertile fields + The savage Turk in vain his falchion wields; + When King Káús this bold invasion hears, + And mighty Rustem clad in arms appears! + Destruction wide will glut the slippery plain, + And not one man of all thy host remain. + Alas! that bravery, high as thine, should meet + Amidst such promise, with a sure defeat, + But not a gleam of hope remains for thee, + Thy wondrous valour cannot keep thee free. + Avert the fate which o'er thy head impends, + Return, return, and save thy martial friends!" + + Thus to be scorned, defrauded of his prey, + With victory in his grasp--to lose the day! + Shame and revenge alternate filled his mind; + The suburb-town to pillage he consigned, + And devastation--not a dwelling spared; + The very owl was from her covert scared; + Then thus: "Though luckless in my aim to-day, + To-morrow shall behold a sterner fray; + This fort, in ashes, scattered o'er the plain." + He ceased--and turned towards his troops again; + There, at a distance from the hostile power, + He brooding waits the slaughter-breathing hour. + + Meanwhile the sire of Gúrd-afríd, who now + Governed the fort, and feared the warrior's vow; + Mournful and pale, with gathering woes opprest, + His distant Monarch trembling thus addrest. + But first invoked the heavenly power to shed + Its choicest blessings o'er his royal head. + "Against our realm with numerous foot and horse, + A stripling warrior holds his ruthless course. + His lion-breast unequalled strength betrays, + And o'er his mien the sun's effulgence plays: + Sohráb his name; like Sám Suwár he shows, + Or Rustem terrible amidst his foes. + The bold Hujír lies vanquished on the plain, + And drags a captive's ignominious chain; + Myriads of troops besiege our tottering wall, + And vain the effort to suspend its fall. + Haste, arm for fight, this Tartar-power withstand, + Let sweeping Vengeance lift her flickering brand; + Rustem alone may stem the roaring wave, + And, prompt as bold, his groaning country save. + Meanwhile in flight we place our only trust, + Ere the proud ramparts crumble in the dust." + + Swift flies the messenger through secret ways, + And to the King the dreadful tale conveys, + Then passed, unseen, in night's concealing shade, + The mournful heroes and the warrior maid. + + Soon as the sun with vivifying ray, + Gleams o'er the landscape, and renews the day; + The flaming troops the lofty walls surround, + With thundering crash the bursting gates resound. + Already are the captives bound, in thought, + And like a herd before the conqueror brought; + Sohráb, terrific o'er the ruin, views + His hopes deceived, but restless still pursues. + An empty fortress mocks his searching eye, + No steel-clad chiefs his burning wrath defy; + No warrior-maid reviving passion warms, + And soothes his soul with fondly-valued charms. + Deep in his breast he feels the amorous smart, + And hugs her image closer to his heart. + "Alas! that Fate should thus invidious shroud + The moon's soft radiance in a gloomy cloud; + Should to my eyes such winning grace display, + Then snatch the enchanter of my soul away! + A beauteous roe my toils enclosed in vain, + Now I, her victim, drag the captive's chain; + Strange the effects that from her charms proceed, + I gave the wound, and I afflicted bleed! + Vanquished by her, I mourn the luckless strife; + Dark, dark, and bitter, frowns my morn of life. + A fair unknown my tortured bosom rends, + Withers each joy, and every hope suspends." + + Impassioned thus Sohráb in secret sighed, + And sought, in vain, o'er-mastering grief to hide. + Can the heart bleed and throb from day to day, + And yet no trace its inmost pangs betray? + Love scorns control, and prompts the labouring sigh, + Pales the red lip, and dims the lucid eye; + His look alarmed the stern Túránian Chief, + Closely he mark'd his heart-corroding grief;-- + And though he knew not that the martial dame, + Had in his bosom lit the tender flame[18]; + Full well he knew such deep repinings prove, + The hapless thraldom of disastrous love. + Full well he knew some idol's musky hair, + Had to his youthful heart become a snare, + But still unnoted was the gushing tear, + Till haply he had gained his private ear:-- + "In ancient times, no hero known to fame, + Not dead to glory e'er indulged the flame; + Though beauty's smiles might charm a fleeting hour, + The heart, unsway'd, repelled their lasting power. + A warrior Chief to trembling love a prey? + What! weep for woman one inglorious day? + Canst thou for love's effeminate control, + Barter the glory of a warrior's soul? + Although a hundred damsels might be gained, + The hero's heart shall still be free, unchained. + Thou art our leader, and thy place the field + Where soldiers love to fight with spear and shield; + And what hast thou to do with tears and smiles, + The silly victim to a woman's wiles? + Our progress, mark! from far Túrán we came, + Through seas of blood to gain immortal fame; + And wilt thou now the tempting conquest shun, + When our brave arms this Barrier-fort have won? + Why linger here, and trickling sorrows shed, + Till mighty Káús thunders o'er thy head! + Till Tús, and Gíw, and Gúdarz, and Báhrám, + And Rustem brave, Ferámurz, and Rehám, + Shall aid the war! A great emprise is thine, + At once, then, every other thought resign; + For know the task which first inspired thy zeal, + Transcends in glory all that love can feel. + Rise, lead the war, prodigious toils require + Unyielding strength, and unextinguished fire; + Pursue the triumph with tempestuous rage, + Against the world in glorious strife engage, + And when an empire sinks beneath thy sway + (O quickly may we hail the prosperous day), + The fickle sex will then with blooming charms, + Adoring throng to bless thy circling arms!" + + Húmán's warm speech, the spirit-stirring theme, + Awoke Sohráb from his inglorious dream. + No more the tear his faded cheek bedewed, + Again ambition all his hopes renewed: + Swell'd his bold heart with unforgotten zeal, + The noble wrath which heroes only feel; + Fiercely he vowed at one tremendous stroke, + To bow the world beneath the tyrant's yoke! + "Afrásiyáb," he cried, "shall reign alone, + The mighty lord of Persia's gorgeous throne!" + + Burning, himself, to rule this nether sphere, + These welcome tidings charmed the despot's ear. + Meantime Káús, this dire invasion known, + Had called his chiefs around his ivory throne: + There stood Gurgín, and Báhrám, and Gushwád, + And Tús, and Gíw, and Gúdárz, and Ferhád; + To them he read the melancholy tale, + Gust'hem had written of the rising bale; + Besought their aid and prudent choice, to form + Some sure defence against the threatening storm. + With one consent they urge the strong request, + To summon Rustem from his rural rest.-- + Instant a warrior-delegate they send, + And thus the King invites his patriot-friend, + + "To thee all praise, whose mighty arm alone, + Preserves the glory of the Persian throne! + Lo! Tartar hordes our happy realms invade; + The tottering state requires thy powerful aid; + A youthful Champion leads the ruthless host, + His savage country's widely-rumoured boast. + The Barrier-fortress sinks beneath his sway, + Hujír is vanquished, ruin tracks his way; + Strong as a raging elephant in fight, + No arm but thine can match his furious might. + Mázinderán thy conquering prowess knew; + The Demon-king thy trenchant falchion slew, + The rolling heavens, abash'd with fear, behold + Thy biting sword, thy mace adorned with gold! + Fly to the succour of a King distress'd, + Proud of thy love, with thy protection blest. + When o'er the nation dread misfortunes lower, + Thou art the refuge, thou the saving power. + The chiefs assembled claim thy patriot vows, + Give to thy glory all that life allows; + And while no whisper breathes the direful tale, + O, let thy Monarch's anxious prayers prevail." + + Closing the fragrant page[19] o'ercome with dread, + The afflicted King to Gíw, the warrior, said:-- + "Go, bind the saddle on thy fleetest horse, + Outstrip the tempest in thy rapid course, + To Rustem swift his country's woes convey, + Too true art thou to linger on the way; + Speed, day and night--and not one instant wait, + Whatever hour may bring thee to his gate." + + Followed no pause--to Gíw enough was said, + Nor rest, nor taste of food, his speed delayed. + And when arrived, where Zábul's bowers exhale + Ambrosial sweets and scent the balmy gale, + The sentinel's loud voice in Rustem's ear, + Announced a messenger from Persia, near; + The Chief himself amidst his warriors stood, + Dispensing honours to the brave and good, + And soon as Gíw had joined the martial ring, + (The sacred envoy of the Persian King), + He, with becoming loyalty inspired, + Asked what the monarch, what the state required; + But Gíw, apart, his secret mission told-- + The written page was speedily unrolled. + + Struck with amazement, Rustem--"Now on earth + A warrior-knight of Sám's excelling worth? + Whence comes this hero of the prosperous star? + I know no Turk renowned, like him, in war; + He bears the port of Rustem too, 'tis said, + Like Sám, like Narímán, a warrior bred! + He cannot be my son, unknown to me; + Reason forbids the thought--it cannot be! + At Samengán, where once affection smiled, + To me Tahmíneh bore her only child, + That was a daughter?" Pondering thus he spoke, + And then aloud--"Why fear the invader's yoke? + Why trembling shrink, by coward thoughts dismayed, + Must we not all in dust, at length, be laid? + But come, to Nírum's palace, haste with me, + And there partake the feast--from sorrow free; + Breathe, but awhile--ere we our toils renew, + And moisten the parched lip with needful dew. + Let plans of war another day decide, + We soon shall quell this youthful hero's pride. + The force of fire soon flutters and decays + When ocean, swelled by storms, its wrath displays. + What danger threatens! whence the dastard fear! + Rest, and at leisure share a warrior's cheer." + + In vain the Envoy prest the Monarch's grief; + The matchless prowess of the stripling chief; + How brave Hujír had felt his furious hand; + What thickening woes beset the shuddering land. + But Rustem, still, delayed the parting day, + And mirth and feasting rolled the hours away; + Morn following morn beheld the banquet bright, + Music and wine prolonged the genial rite; + Rapt by the witchery of the melting strain, + No thought of Káús touch'd his swimming brain.[20] + + The trumpet's clang, on fragrant breezes borne, + Now loud salutes the fifth revolving morn; + The softer tones which charm'd the jocund feast, + And all the noise of revelry, had ceased, + The generous horse, with rich embroidery deckt, + Whose gilded trappings sparkling light reflect, + Bears with majestic port the Champion brave, + And high in air the victor-banners wave. + Prompt at the martial call, Zúára leads + His veteran troops from Zábul's verdant meads.[21] + + Ere Rustem had approached his journey's end, + Tús, Gúdarz, Gushwád, met their champion-friend + With customary honours; pleased to bring + The shield of Persia to the anxious King. + But foaming wrath the senseless monarch swayed; + His friendship scorned, his mandate disobeyed, + Beneath dark brows o'er-shadowing deep, his eye + Red gleaming shone, like lightning through the sky + And when the warriors met his sullen view, + Frowning revenge, still more enraged he grew:-- + Loud to the Envoy thus he fiercely cried:-- + "Since Rustem has my royal power defied, + Had I a sword, this instant should his head + Roll on the ground; but let him now be led + Hence, and impaled alive."[22] Astounded Gíw + Shrunk from such treatment of a knight so true; + But this resistance added to the flame, + And both were branded with revolt and shame; + Both were condemned, and Tús, the stern decree + Received, to break them on the felon-tree. + Could daring insult, thus deliberate given, + Escape the rage of one to frenzy driven? + No, from his side the nerveless Chief was flung, + Bent to the ground. Away the Champion sprung; + Mounted his foaming horse, and looking round-- + His boiling wrath thus rapid utterance found:-- + "Ungrateful King, thy tyrant acts disgrace + The sacred throne, and more, the human race; + Midst clashing swords thy recreant life I saved, + And am I now by Tús contemptuous braved?[23] + On me shall Tús, shall Káús dare to frown? + On me, the bulwark of the regal crown? + Wherefore should fear in Rustem's breast have birth, + Káús, to me, a worthless clod of earth! + Go, and thyself Sohráb's invasion stay, + Go, seize the plunderers growling o'er their prey! + Wherefore to others give the base command? + Go, break him on the tree with thine own hand. + Know, thou hast roused a warrior, great and free, + Who never bends to tyrant Kings like thee! + Was not this untired arm triumphant seen, + In Misser, Rúm, Mázinderán, and Chín! + And must I shrink at thy imperious nod! + Slave to no Prince, I only bow to God. + Whatever wrath from thee, proud King! may fall, + For thee I fought, and I deserve it all. + The regal sceptre might have graced my hand, + I kept the laws, and scorned supreme command. + When Kai-kobád and Alberz mountain strayed, + I drew him thence, and gave a warrior's aid; + Placed on his brows the long-contested crown, + Worn by his sires, by sacred right his own; + Strong in the cause, my conquering arms prevailed, + Wouldst thou have reign'd had Rustem's valour failed + When the White Demon raged in battle-fray, + Wouldst thou have lived had Rustem lost the day?" + Then to his friends: "Be wise, and shun your fate, + Fly the wide ruin which o'erwhelms the state; + The conqueror comes--the scourge of great and small, + And vultures, following fast, will gorge on all. + Persia no more its injured Chief shall view"-- + He said, and sternly from the court withdrew. + + The warriors now, with sad forebodings wrung, + Torn from that hope to which they proudly clung, + On Gúdarz rest, to soothe with gentle sway, + The frantic King, and Rustem's wrath allay. + With bitter grief they wail misfortune's shock, + No shepherd now to guard the timorous flock. + Gúdarz at length, with boding cares imprest, + Thus soothed the anger in the royal breast. + "Say, what has Rustem done, that he should be + Impaled upon the ignominious tree? + Degrading thought, unworthy to be bred + Within a royal heart, a royal head. + Hast thou forgot when near the Caspian-wave, + Defeat and ruin had appalled the brave, + When mighty Rustem struck the dreadful blow, + And nobly freed thee from the savage foe? + Did Demons huge escape his flaming brand? + Their reeking limbs bestrew'd the slippery strand. + Shall he for this resign his vital breath? + What! shall the hero's recompense be death? + But who will dare a threatening step advance, + What earthly power can bear his withering glance? + Should he to Zábul fired with wrongs return, + The plunder'd land will long in sorrow mourn! + This direful presage all our warriors feel, + For who can now oppose the invader's steel; + Thus is it wise thy champion to offend, + To urge to this extreme thy warrior-friend? + Remember, passion ever scorns control, + And wisdom's mild decrees should rule a Monarch's soul."[24] + Káús, relenting, heard with anxious ear, + And groundless wrath gave place to shame and fear; + "Go then," he cried, "his generous aid implore, + And to your King the mighty Chief restore!" + + When Gúdarz rose, and seized his courser's rein, + A crowd of heroes followed in his train. + To Rustem, now (respectful homage paid), + The royal prayer he anxious thus conveyed. + "The King, repentant, seeks thy aid again, + Grieved to the heart that he has given thee pain; + But though his anger was unjust and strong, + Thy country still is guiltless of the wrong, + And, therefore, why abandoned thus by thee? + Thy help the King himself implores through me." + Rustem rejoined: "Unworthy the pretence, + And scorn and insult all my recompense? + Must I be galled by his capricious mood? + I, who have still his firmest champion stood? + But all is past, to heaven alone resigned, + No human cares shall more disturb my mind!" + Then Gúdarz thus (consummate art inspired + His prudent tongue, with all that zeal required); + "When Rustem dreads Sohráb's resistless power, + Well may inferiors fly the trying hour! + The dire suspicion now pervades us all, + Thus, unavenged, shall beauteous Persia fall! + Yet, generous still, avert the lasting shame, + O, still preserve thy country's glorious fame! + Or wilt thou, deaf to all our fears excite, + Forsake thy friends, and shun the pending fight? + And worse, O grief! in thy declining days, + Forfeit the honours of thy country's praise?" + This artful censure set his soul on fire, + But patriot firmness calm'd his burning ire; + And thus he said--"Inured to war's alarms, + Did ever Rustem shun the din of arms? + Though frowns from Káús I disdain to bear, + My threatened country claims a warrior's care." + He ceased, and prudent joined the circling throng, + And in the public good forgot the private wrong. + + From far the King the generous Champion viewed, + And rising, mildly thus his speech pursued:-- + "Since various tempers govern all mankind, + Me, nature fashioned of a froward mind;[25] + And what the heavens spontaneously bestow, + Sown by their bounty must for ever grow. + The fit of wrath which burst within me, soon + Shrunk up my heart as thin as the new moon;[26] + Else had I deemed thee still my army's boast, + Source of my regal power, beloved the most, + Unequalled. Every day, remembering thee, + I drain the wine cup, thou art all to me; + I wished thee to perform that lofty part, + Claimed by thy valour, sanctioned by my heart; + Hence thy delay my better thoughts supprest, + And boisterous passions revelled in my breast; + But when I saw thee from my Court retire + In wrath, repentance quenched my burning ire. + O, let me now my keen contrition prove, + Again enjoy thy fellowship and love: + And while to thee my gratitude is known, + Still be the pride and glory of my throne." + + Rustem, thus answering said:--"Thou art the King, + Source of command, pure honour's sacred spring; + And here I stand to follow thy behest, + Obedient ever--be thy will expressed, + And services required--Old age shall see + My loins still bound in fealty to thee." + + To this the King:--"Rejoice we then to-day, + And on the morrow marshal our array." + The monarch quick commands the feast of joy, + And social cares his buoyant mind employ, + Within a bower, beside a crystal spring,[27] + Where opening flowers, refreshing odours fling, + Cheerful he sits, and forms the banquet scene, + In regal splendour on the crowded green; + And as around he greets his valiant bands, + Showers golden presents from his bounteous hands;[28] + Voluptuous damsels trill the sportive lay, + Whose sparkling glances beam celestial day; + Fill'd with delight the heroes closer join, + And quaff till midnight cups of generous wine. + + Soon as the Sun had pierced the veil of night, + And o'er the prospect shed his earliest light, + Káús, impatient, bids the clarions sound, + The sprightly notes from hills and rocks rebound; + His treasure gates are opened:--and to all + A largess given; obedient to the call, + His subjects gathering crowd the mountain's brow, + And following thousands shade the vales below; + With shields, in armor, numerous legions bend; + And troops of horse the threatening lines extend. + Beneath the tread of heroes fierce and strong, + By war's tumultuous fury borne along, + The firm earth shook: the dust, in eddies driven, + Whirled high in air, obscured the face of heaven; + Nor earth, nor sky appeared--all, seeming lost, + And swallowed up by that wide-spreading host. + The steely armour glitter'd o'er the fields,[29] + And lightnings flash'd from gold emblazoned shields; + Thou wouldst have said, the clouds had burst in showers, + Of sparkling amber o'er the martial powers.[30] + Thus, close embodied, they pursued their way, + And reached the Barrier-fort in terrible array. + + The legions of Túrán, with dread surprise, + Saw o'er the plain successive myriads rise; + And showed them to Sohráb; he, mounting high + The fort, surveyed them with a fearless eye; + To Húmán, who, with withering terror pale, + Had marked their progress through the distant vale, + He pointed out the sight, and ardent said:-- + "Dispel these woe-fraught broodings from thy head, + I wage the war, Afrásiyáb! for thee, + And make this desert seem a rolling sea." + Thus, while amazement every bosom quell'd, + Sohráb, unmoved, the coming storm beheld, + And boldly gazing on the camp around, + Raised high the cup with wine nectareous crowned: + O'er him no dreams of woe insidious stole, + No thought but joy engaged his ardent soul. + + The Persian legions had restrained their course, + Tents and pavilions, countless foot and horse, + Clothed all the spacious plain, and gleaming threw + Terrific splendours on the gazer's view. + But when the Sun had faded in the west, + And night assumed her ebon-coloured vest, + The mighty Chief approached the sacred throne, + And generous thus made danger all his own: + "The rules of war demand a previous task, + To watch this dreadful foe I boldly ask; + With wary step the wondrous youth to view, + And mark the heroes who his path pursue." + The King assents: "The task is justly thine, + Favourite of heaven, inspired by power divine." + In Turkish habit, secretly arrayed, + The lurking Champion wandered through the shade + And, cautious, standing near the palace gate, + Saw how the chiefs were ranged in princely state. + + What time Sohráb his thoughts to battle turned, + And for the first proud fruits of conquest burned, + His mother called a warrior to his aid, + And Zinda-ruzm his sister's call obeyed. + To him Tahmineh gave her only joy, + And bade him shield the bold adventurous boy: + "But, in the dreadful strife, should danger rise, + Present my child before his father's eyes! + By him protected, war may rage in vain, + Though he may never bless these arms again!" + This guardian prince sat on the stripling's right, + Viewing the imperial banquet with delight. + Húmán and Bármán, near the hero placed, + In joyous pomp the full assembly graced; + A hundred valiant Chiefs begirt the throne, + And, all elate, were chaunting his renown. + Closely concealed, the gay and splendid scene, + Rustem contemplates with astonished mien; + When Zind, retiring, marks the listener nigh, + Watching the festal train with curious eye; + And well he knew, amongst his Tartar host, + Such towering stature not a Chief could boast-- + "What spy is here, close shrouded by the night? + Art thou afraid to face the beams of light?" + But scarcely from his lips these words had past, + Ere, fell'd to earth, he groaning breathed his last; + Unseen he perish'd, fate decreed the blow, + To add fresh keenness to a parent's woe. + + Meantime Sohráb, perceiving the delay + In Zind's return, looked round him with dismay; + The seat still vacant--but the bitter truth, + Full soon was known to the distracted youth; + Full soon he found that Zinda-ruzm was gone, + His day of feasting and of glory done; + Speedful towards the fatal spot he ran, + Where slept in bloody vest the slaughtered man. + + The lighted torches now displayed the dead, + Stiff on the ground his graceful limbs were spread; + Sad sight to him who knew his guardian care, + Now doom'd a kinsman's early loss to bear; + Anguish and rage devour his breast by turns, + He vows revenge, then o'er the warrior mourns: + And thus exclaims to each afflicted Chief:-- + "No time, to-night, my friends, for useless grief; + The ravenous wolf has watched his helpless prey, + Sprung o'er the fold, and borne its flower away; + But if the heavens my lifted arm befriend, + Upon the guilty shall my wrath descend-- + Unsheathed, this sword shall dire revenge pursue, + And Persian blood the thirsty land bedew." + Frowning he paused, and check'd the spreading woe, + Resumed the feast, and bid the wine-cup flow! + + The valiant Gíw was sentinel that night, + And marking dimly by the dubious light, + A warrior form approach, he claps his hands, + With naked sword and lifted shield he stands, + To front the foe; but Rustem now appears, + And Gíw the secret tale astonished hears; + From thence the Champion on the Monarch waits. + The power and splendour of Sohráb relates: + "Circled by Chiefs this glorious youth was seen, + Of lofty stature and majestic mien; + No Tartar region gave the hero birth: + Some happier portion of the spacious earth; + Tall, as the graceful cypress he appears; + Like Sám, the brave, his warrior-front he rears!" + Then having told how, while the banquet shone, + Unhappy Zind had sunk, without a groan; + He forms his conquering bands in close array, + And, cheer'd by wine, awaits the coming day. + + When now the Sun his golden buckler raised, + And genial light through heaven diffusive blazed, + Sohráb in mail his nervous limbs attired, + For dreadful wrath his soul to vengeance fired; + With anxious haste he bent the yielding cord, + Ring within ring, more fateful than the sword; + Around his brows a regal helm he bound; + His dappled steed impatient stampt the ground. + Thus armed, ascending where the eye could trace + The hostile force, and mark each leader's place, + He called Hujír, the captive Chief addressed, + And anxious thus, his soul's desire expressed: + "A prisoner thou, if freedom's voice can charm, + And dungeon darkness fill thee with alarm, + That freedom merit, shun severest woe, + And truly answer what I ask to know! + If rigid truth thy ready speech attend, + Honours and wealth shall dignify my friend." + + "Obedient to thy wish," Hujír replied, + "Truth thou shalt hear, whatever chance betide; + For what on earth to praise has better claim? + Falsehood but leads to sorrow and to shame!" + + "Then say, what heroes lead the adverse host, + Where they command, what dignities they boast; + Say, where does Káús hold his kingly state, + Where Tús, and Gúdarz, on his bidding wait; + Gíw, Gust'hem, and Báhrám--all known to thee, + And where is mighty Rustem, where is he? + Look round with care, their names and power display + Or instant death shall end thy vital day." + + "Where yonder splendid tapestries extend, + And o'er pavilions bright infolding bend, + A throne triumphal shines with sapphire rays, + And golden suns upon the banners blaze; + Full in the centre of the hosts--and round + The tent a hundred elephants are bound, + As if, in pomp, he mocked the power of fate; + There royal Káús holds his kingly state. + + "In yonder tent which numerous guards protect, + Where front and rear illustrious Chiefs collect; + Where horsemen wheeling seem prepared for fight, + Their golden armour glittering in the light; + Tús lifts his banners, deck'd with royal pride, + Feared by the brave, the soldier's friend and guide.[31] + + "That crimson tent where spear-men frowning stand, + And steel-clad veterans form a threatening band, + Holds mighty Gúdarz, famed for martial fire, + Of eighty valiant sons the valiant sire; + Yet strong in arms, he shuns inglorious ease, + His lion-banners floating in the breeze. + + "But mark, that green pavilion; girt around + By Persian nobles, speaks the Chief renowned; + Fierce on the standard, worked with curious art, + A hideous dragon writhing seems to start; + Throned in his tent the warrior's form is seen, + Towering above the assembled host between! + A generous horse before him snorts and neighs, + The trembling earth the echoing sound conveys. + Like him no Champion ever met my eyes, + No horse like that for majesty and size; + What Chief illustrious bears a port so high? + Mark, how his standard flickers through the sky!" + + Thus ardent spoke Sohráb. Hujír dismayed, + Paused ere reply the dangerous truth betrayed. + Trembling for Rustem's life the captive groaned; + Basely his country's glorious boast disowned, + And said the Chief from distant China came-- + Sohráb abrupt demands the hero's name; + The name unknown, grief wrings his aching heart, + And yearning anguish speeds her venom'd dart; + To him his mother gave the tokens true, + He sees them all, and all but mock his view. + When gloomy fate descends in evil hour, + Can human wisdom bribe her favouring power? + Yet, gathering hope, again with restless mien + He marks the Chiefs who crowd the warlike scene. + + "Where numerous heroes, horse and foot, appear, + And brazen trumpets thrill the listening ear, + Behold the proud pavilion of the brave! + With wolves emboss'd the silken banners wave. + The throne's bright gems with radiant lustre glow, + Slaves rank'd around with duteous homage bow. + What mighty Chieftain rules his cohorts there? + His name and lineage, free from guile, declare!" + + "Gíw, son of Gúdarz, long a glorious name, + Whose prowess even transcends his father's fame."[32] + + "Mark yonder tent of pure and dazzling white, + Whose rich brocade reflects a quivering light; + An ebon seat surmounts the ivory throne; + There frowns in state a warrior of renown. + The crowding slaves his awful nod obey, + And silver moons around his banners play; + What Chief, or Prince, has grasped the hostile sword? + Fríburz, the son of Persia's mighty lord." + Again: "These standards show one champion more, + Upon their centre flames the savage boar;[33] + The saffron-hued pavilion bright ascends, + Whence many a fold of tasselled fringe depends; + Who there presides?" + + "Guráz, from heroes sprung, + Whose praise exceeds the power of mortal tongue." + + Thus, anxious, he explored the crowded field, + Nor once the secret of his birth revealed;[34] + Heaven will'd it so. Pressed down by silent grief, + Surrounding objects promised no relief. + This world to mortals still denies repose, + And life is still the scene of many woes. + Again his eye, instinctive turned, descried + The green pavilion, and the warrior's pride. + Again he cries: "O tell his glorious name; + Yon gallant horse declares the hero's fame!" + But false Hujír the aspiring hope repelled, + Crushed the fond wish, the soothing balm withheld, + "And why should I conceal his name from thee? + His name and title are unknown to me." + + Then thus Sohráb--"In all that thou hast said, + No sign of Rustem have thy words conveyed; + Thou sayest he leads the Persian host to arms, + With him has battle lost its boisterous charms? + Of him no trace thy guiding hand has shown; + Can power supreme remain unmark'd, unknown?" + + "Perhaps returned to Zábul's verdant bowers, + He undisturbed enjoys his peaceful hours, + The vernal banquets may constrain his stay, + And rural sports invite prolonged delay." + + "Ah! say not thus; the Champion of the world, + Shrink from the kindling war with banners furled! + It cannot be! Say where his lightnings dart, + Show me the warrior, all thou know'st impart; + Treasures uncounted shall be thy reward, + Death changed to life, my friendship more than shared. + Dost thou not know what, in the royal ear, + The Múbid said--befitting Kings to hear? + 'Untold, a secret is a jewel bright, + Yet profitless whilst hidden from the light; + But when revealed, in words distinctly given, + It shines refulgent as the sun through heaven.'"[35] + + To him, Hujír evasive thus replies: + "Through all the extended earth his glory flies! + Whenever dangers round the nation close, + Rustem approaches, and repels its foes; + And shouldst thou see him mix in mortal strife, + Thou'dst think 'twere easier to escape with life + From tiger fell, or demon--or the fold + Of the chafed dragon, than his dreadful hold-- + When fiercest battle clothes the fields with fire, + Before his rage embodied hosts retire!" + + "And where didst thou encountering armies see? + Why Rustem's praise so proudly urge to me? + Let us but meet and thou shalt trembling know, + How fierce that wrath which bids my bosom glow: + If living flames express his boundless ire, + O'erwhelming waters quench consuming fire! + And deepest darkness, glooms of ten-fold night, + Fly from the piercing beams of radiant light." + + Hujír shrunk back with undissembled dread, + And thus communing with himself, he said-- + "Shall I, regardless of my country, guide + To Rustem's tent this furious homicide? + And witness there destruction to our host? + The bulwark of the land for ever lost! + What Chief can then the Tartar power restrain! + Káús dethroned, the mighty Rustem slain! + Better a thousand deaths should lay me low, + Than, living, yield such triumph to the foe. + For in this struggle should my blood be shed, + No foul dishonour can pursue me, dead; + No lasting shame my father's age oppress, + Whom eighty sons of martial courage bless![36] + They for their brother slain, incensed will rise, + And pour their vengeance on my enemies." + Then thus aloud--"Can idle words avail? + Why still of Rustem urge the frequent tale? + Why for the elephant-bodied hero ask? + Thee, he will find--no uncongenial task. + Why seek pretences to destroy my life? + Strike, for no Rustem views th' unequal strife!" + + Sohráb confused, with hopeless anguish mourned, + Back from the lofty walls he quick returned, + And stood amazed. + + Now war and vengeance claim, + Collected thought and deeds of mighty name; + The jointed mail his vigorous body clasps, + His sinewy hand the shining javelin grasps; + Like a mad elephant he meets the foe, + His steed a moving mountain--deeply glow + His cheeks with passionate ardour, as he flies + Resistless onwards, and with sparkling eyes, + Full on the centre drives his daring horse--[37] + The yielding Persians fly his furious course; + As the wild ass impetuous springs away, + When the fierce lion thunders on his prey. + By every sign of strength and martial power, + They think him Rustem in his direst hour; + On Káús now his proud defiance falls, + Scornful to him the stripling warrior calls: + "And why art thou misnamed of royal strain? + What work of thine befits the tented plain? + This thirsty javelin seeks thy coward breast; + Thou and thy thousands doomed to endless rest. + True to my oath, which time can never change, + On thee, proud King! I hurl my just revenge. + The blood of Zind inspires my burning hate, + And dire resentment hurries on thy fate; + Whom canst thou send to try the desperate strife? + What valiant Chief, regardless of his life? + Where now can Fríburz, Tús, Gíw, Gúdarz, be, + And the world-conquering Rustem, where is he?" + + No prompt reply from Persian lip ensued-- + Then rushing on, with demon-strength endued, + Sohráb elate his javelin waved around, + And hurled the bright pavilion to the ground; + With horror Káús feels destruction nigh, + And cries: "For Rustem's needful succour fly! + This frantic Turk, triumphant on the plain, + Withers the souls of all my warrior train." + That instant Tús the mighty Champion sought, + And told the deeds the Tartar Chief had wrought; + "'Tis ever thus, the brainless Monarch's due! + Shame and disaster still his steps pursue!" + This saying, from his tent he soon descried, + The wild confusion spreading far and wide; + And saddled Rakush--whilst, in deep dismay, + Girgín incessant cried--"Speed, speed, away." + Rehám bound on the mace, Tús promptly ran, + And buckled on the broad Burgustuwán. + Rustem, meanwhile, the thickening tumult hears + And in his heart, untouched by human fears, + Says: "What is this, that feeling seems to stun! + This battle must be led by Ahirmun,[38] + The awful day of doom must have begun." + In haste he arms, and mounts his bounding steed, + The growing rage demands redoubled speed; + The leopard's skin he o'er his shoulders throws, + The regal girdle round his middle glows.[39] + High wave his glorious banners; broad revealed, + The pictured dragons glare along the field + Borne by Zúára. When, surprised, he views + Sohráb, endued with ample breast and thews, + Like Sám Suwár, he beckons him apart; + The youth advances with a gallant heart, + Willing to prove his adversary's might, + By single combat to decide the fight; + And eagerly, "Together brought," he cries, + "Remote from us be foemen, and allies, + And though at once by either host surveyed, + Ours be the strife which asks no mortal aid." + + Rustem, considerate, view'd him o'er and o'er, + So wondrous graceful was the form he bore, + And frankly said: "Experience flows with age, + And many a foe has felt my conquering rage; + Much have I seen, superior strength and art + Have borne my spear thro' many a demon's heart; + Only behold me on the battle plain, + Wait till thou see'st this hand the war sustain, + And if on thee should changeful fortune smile, + Thou needst not fear the monster of the Nile![40] + But soft compassion melts my soul to save, + A youth so blooming with a mind so brave!" + + The generous speech Sohráb attentive heard, + His heart expanding glowed at every word: + "One question answer, and in answering show, + That truth should ever from a warrior flow; + Art thou not Rustem, whose exploits sublime, + Endear his name thro' every distant clime?" + + "I boast no station of exalted birth, + No proud pretensions to distinguished worth; + To him inferior, no such powers are mine, + No offspring I of Nírum's glorious line!"[41] + + The prompt denial dampt his filial joy, + All hope at once forsook the Warrior-boy, + His opening day of pleasure, and the bloom + Of cherished life, immersed in shadowy gloom. + Perplexed with what his mother's words implied;-- + A narrow space is now prepared, aside, + For single combat. With disdainful glance + Each boldly shakes his death-devoting lance, + And rushes forward to the dubious fight; + Thoughts high and brave their burning souls excite; + Now sword to sword; continuous strokes resound, + Till glittering fragments strew the dusty ground. + Each grasps his massive club with added force,[42] + The folding mail is rent from either horse; + It seemed as if the fearful day of doom + Had, clothed in all its withering terrors, come. + Their shattered corslets yield defence no more-- + At length they breathe, defiled with dust and gore; + Their gasping throats with parching thirst are dry, + Gloomy and fierce they roll the lowering eye, + And frown defiance. Son and Father driven + To mortal strife! are these the ways of Heaven? + The various swarms which boundless ocean breeds, + The countless tribes which crop the flowery meads, + All know their kind, but hapless man alone + Has no instinctive feeling for his own! + Compell'd to pause, by every eye surveyed, + Rustem, with shame, his wearied strength betrayed; + Foil'd by a youth in battle's mid career, + His groaning spirit almost sunk with fear; + Recovering strength, again they fiercely meet; + Again they struggle with redoubled heat; + With bended bows they furious now contend; + And feather'd shafts in rattling showers descend; + Thick as autumnal leaves they strew the plain, + Harmless their points, and all their fury vain. + And now they seize each other's girdle-band; + Rustem, who, if he moved his iron hand, + Could shake a mountain, and to whom a rock + Seemed soft as wax, tried, with one mighty stroke, + To hurl him thundering from his fiery steed, + But Fate forbids the gallant youth should bleed; + Finding his wonted nerves relaxed, amazed + That hand he drops which never had been raised + Uncrowned with victory, even when demons fought, + And pauses, wildered with despairing thought. + Sohráb again springs with terrific grace, + And lifts, from saddle-bow, his ponderous mace; + With gather'd strength the quick-descending blow + Wounds in its fall, and stuns the unwary foe; + Then thus contemptuous: "All thy power is gone; + Thy charger's strength exhausted as thy own; + Thy bleeding wounds with pity I behold; + O seek no more the combat of the bold!" + + Rustem to this reproach made no reply, + But stood confused--meanwhile, tumultuously + The legions closed; with soul-appalling force, + Troop rushed on troop, o'erwhelming man and horse; + Sohráb, incensed, the Persian host engaged, + Furious along the scattered lines he raged; + Fierce as a wolf he rode on every side, + The thirsty earth with streaming gore was dyed. + Midst the Túránians, then, the Champion sped, + And like a tiger heaped the fields with dead. + But when the Monarch's danger struck his thought, + Returning swift, the stripling youth he sought; + Grieved to the soul, the mighty Champion view'd + His hands and mail with Persian blood imbrued; + And thus exclaimed with lion-voice--"O say, + Why with the Persians dost thou war to-day? + Why not with me alone decide the fight, + Thou'rt like a wolf that seek'st the fold by night." + + To this Sohráb his proud assent expressed-- + And Rustem, answering, thus the youth addressed. + "Night-shadows now are thickening o'er the plain, + The morrow's sun must see our strife again; + In wrestling let us then exert our might!" + He said, and eve's last glimmer sunk in night + + Thus as the skies a deeper gloom displayed, + The stripling's life was hastening into shade! + + The gallant heroes to their tents retired, + The sweets of rest their wearied limbs required: + Sohráb, delighted with his brave career, + Describes the fight in Húmán's anxious ear: + Tells how he forced unnumbered Chiefs to yield, + And stood himself the victor of the field! + "But let the morrow's dawn," he cried, "arrive, + And not one Persian shall the day survive; + Meanwhile let wine its strengthening balm impart, + And add new zeal to every drooping heart." + The valiant Gíw with Rustem pondering stood, + And, sad, recalled the scene of death and blood; + Grief and amazement heaved the frequent sigh, + And almost froze the crimson current dry. + Rustem, oppressed by Gíw's desponding thought, + Amidst his Chiefs the mournful Monarch sought; + To him he told Sohráb's tremendous sway, + The dire misfortunes of this luckless day; + Told with what grasping force he tried, in vain, + To hurl the wondrous stripling to the plain: + "The whispering zephyr might as well aspire + To shake a mountain--such his strength and fire. + But night came on--and, by agreement, we + Must meet again to-morrow--who shall be + Victorious, Heaven knows only:--for by Heaven, + Victory or death to man is ever given." + This said, the King, o'erwhelmed in deep despair, + Passed the dread night in agony and prayer. + + The Champion, silent, joined his bands at rest, + And spurned at length despondence from his breast; + Removed from all, he cheered Zúára's heart, + And nerved his soul to bear a trying part:-- + "Ere early morning gilds the ethereal plain, + In martial order range my warrior-train; + And when I meet in all his glorious pride, + This valiant Turk whom late my rage defied, + Should fortune's smiles my arduous task requite, + Bring them to share the triumph of my might; + But should success the stripling's arm attend, + And dire defeat and death my glories end, + To their loved homes my brave associates guide; + Let bowery Zábul all their sorrows hide-- + Comfort my venerable father's heart; + In gentlest words my heavy fate impart. + The dreadful tidings to my mother bear, + And soothe her anguish with the tenderest care; + Say, that the will of righteous Heaven decreed, + That thus in arms her mighty son should bleed. + Enough of fame my various toils acquired, + When warring demons, bathed in blood, expired. + Were life prolonged a thousand lingering years, + Death comes at last and ends our mortal fears; + Kirshásp, and Sám, and Narímán, the best + And bravest heroes, who have ever blest + This fleeting world, were not endued with power, + To stay the march of fate one single hour; + The world for them possessed no fixed abode, + The path to death's cold regions must be trod; + Then, why lament the doom ordained for all? + Thus Jemshíd fell, and thus must Rustem fall." + + When the bright dawn proclaimed the rising day, + The warriors armed, impatient of delay; + But first Sohráb, his proud confederate nigh, + Thus wistful spoke, as swelled the boding sigh-- + "Now, mark my great antagonist in arms! + His noble form my filial bosom warms; + My mother's tokens shine conspicuous here, + And all the proofs my heart demands, appear; + Sure this is Rustem, whom my eyes engage! + Shall I, O grief! provoke my Father's rage? + Offended Nature then would curse my name, + And shuddering nations echo with my shame." + He ceased, then Húmán: "Vain, fantastic thought, + Oft have I been where Persia's Champion fought; + And thou hast heard, what wonders he performed, + When, in his prime, Mázinderán was stormed; + That horse resembles Rustem's, it is true, + But not so strong, nor beautiful to view." + + Sohráb now buckles on his war attire, + His heart all softness, and his brain all fire; + Around his lips such smiles benignant played, + He seemed to greet a friend, as thus he said:-- + "Here let us sit together on the plain, + Here, social sit, and from the fight refrain; + Ask we from heaven forgiveness of the past, + And bind our souls in friendship that may last; + Ours be the feast--let us be warm and free, + For powerful instinct draws me still to thee; + Fain would my heart in bland affection join, + Then let thy generous ardour equal mine; + And kindly say, with whom I now contend-- + What name distinguished boasts my warrior-friend! + Thy name unfit for champion brave to hide, + Thy name so long, long sought, and still denied; + Say, art thou Rustem, whom I burn to know? + Ingenuous say, and cease to be my foe!" + + Sternly the mighty Champion cried, "Away-- + Hence with thy wiles--now practised to delay; + The promised struggle, resolute, I claim, + Then cease to move me to an act of shame." + Sohráb rejoined--"Old man! thou wilt not hear + The words of prudence uttered in thine ear; + Then, Heaven! look on." + + Preparing for the shock, + Each binds his charger to a neighbouring rock; + And girds his loins, and rubs his wrists, and tries + Their suppleness and force, with angry eyes; + And now they meet--now rise, and now descend, + And strong and fierce their sinewy arms extend; + Wrestling with all their strength they grasp and strain, + And blood and sweat flow copious on the plain; + Like raging elephants they furious close; + Commutual wounds are given, and wrenching blows. + Sohráb now clasps his hands, and forward springs + Impatiently, and round the Champion clings; + Seizes his girdle belt, with power to tear + The very earth asunder; in despair + Rustem, defeated, feels his nerves give way, + And thundering falls. Sohráb bestrides his prey: + Grim as the lion, prowling through the wood, + Upon a wild ass springs, and pants for blood. + His lifted sword had lopt the gory head, + But Rustem, quick, with crafty ardour said:-- + "One moment, hold! what, are our laws unknown? + A Chief may fight till he is twice o'erthrown; + The second fall, his recreant blood is spilt, + These are our laws, avoid the menaced guilt." + + Proud of his strength, and easily deceived, + The wondering youth the artful tale believed; + Released his prey, and, wild as wind or wave, + Neglecting all the prudence of the brave, + Turned from the place, nor once the strife renewed, + But bounded o'er the plain and other cares pursued, + As if all memory of the war had died, + All thoughts of him with whom his strength was tried. + + Húmán, confounded at the stripling's stay, + Went forth, and heard the fortune of the day; + Amazed to find the mighty Rustem freed, + With deepest grief he wailed the luckless deed. + "What! loose a raging lion from the snare, + And let him growling hasten to his lair? + Bethink thee well; in war, from this unwise, + This thoughtless act what countless woes may rise; + Never again suspend the final blow, + Nor trust the seeming weakness of a foe!"[43] + "Hence with complaint," the dauntless youth replied, + "To-morrow's contest shall his fate decide." + + When Rustem was released, in altered mood + He sought the coolness of the murmuring flood; + There quenched his thirst; and bathed his limbs, and prayed, + Beseeching Heaven to yield its strengthening aid. + His pious prayer indulgent Heaven approved, + And growing strength through all his sinews moved;[44] + Such as erewhile his towering structure knew, + When his bold arm unconquered demons slew. + Yet in his mien no confidence appeared, + No ardent hope his wounded spirits cheered. + + Again they met. A glow of youthful grace, + Diffused its radiance o'er the stripling's face, + And when he saw in renovated guise, + The foe so lately mastered; with surprise, + He cried--"What! rescued from my power, again + Dost thou confront me on the battle plain? + Or, dost thou, wearied, draw thy vital breath, + And seek, from warrior bold, the shaft of death? + Truth has no charms for thee, old man; even now, + Some further cheat may lurk upon thy brow; + Twice have I shown thee mercy, twice thy age + Hath been thy safety--twice it soothed my rage." + Then mild the Champion: "Youth is proud and vain! + The idle boast a warrior would disdain; + This aged arm perhaps may yet control, + The wanton fury that inflames thy soul!" + + Again, dismounting, each the other viewed + With sullen glance, and swift the fight renewed; + Clenched front to front, again they tug and bend, + Twist their broad limbs as every nerve would rend; + With rage convulsive Rustem grasps him round; + Bends his strong back, and hurls him to the ground; + Him, who had deemed the triumph all his own; + But dubious of his power to keep him down, + Like lightning quick he gives the deadly thrust, + And spurns the Stripling weltering in the dust. + --Thus as his blood that shining steel imbrues, + Thine too shall flow, when Destiny pursues;[45] + For when she marks the victim of her power, + A thousand daggers speed the dying hour. + Writhing with pain Sohráb in murmurs sighed-- + And thus to Rustem--"Vaunt not, in thy pride; + Upon myself this sorrow have I brought, + Thou but the instrument of fate--which wrought + My downfall; thou are guiltless--guiltless quite; + O! had I seen my father in the fight, + My glorious father! Life will soon be o'er, + And his great deeds enchant my soul no more! + Of him my mother gave the mark and sign, + For him I sought, and what an end is mine! + My only wish on earth, my constant sigh, + Him to behold, and with that wish I die. + But hope not to elude his piercing sight, + In vain for thee the deepest glooms of night; + Couldst thou through Ocean's depths for refuge fly, + Or midst the star-beams track the upper sky! + Rustem, with vengeance armed, will reach thee there, + His soul the prey of anguish and despair." + + An icy horror chills the Champion's heart, + His brain whirls round with agonizing smart; + O'er his wan cheek no gushing sorrows flow, + Senseless he sinks beneath the weight of woe; + Relieved at length, with frenzied look, he cries: + "Prove thou art mine, confirm my doubting eyes! + For I am Rustem!" Piercing was the groan, + Which burst from his torn heart--as wild and lone, + He gazed upon him. Dire amazement shook + The dying youth, and mournful thus he spoke: + "If thou art Rustem, cruel is thy part, + No warmth paternal seems to fill thy heart; + Else hadst thou known me when, with strong desire, + I fondly claimed thee for my valiant sire; + Now from my body strip the shining mail, + Untie these bands, ere life and feeling fail; + And on my arm the direful proof behold! + Thy sacred bracelet of refulgent gold! + When the loud brazen drums were heard afar, + And, echoing round, proclaimed the pending war, + Whilst parting tears my mother's eyes o'erflowed, + This mystic gift her bursting heart bestowed: + 'Take this,' she said, 'thy father's token wear, + And promised glory will reward thy care.' + The hour is come, but fraught with bitterest woe, + We meet in blood to wail the fatal blow." + + The loosened mail unfolds the bracelet bright, + Unhappy gift! to Rustem's wildered sight, + Prostrate he falls--"By my unnatural hand, + My son, my son is slain--and from the land + Uprooted."--Frantic, in the dust his hair + He rends in agony and deep despair; + The western sun had disappeared in gloom, + And still, the Champion wept his cruel doom; + His wondering legions marked the long delay, + And, seeing Rakush riderless astray, + The rumour quick to Persia's Monarch spread, + And there described the mighty Rustem dead. + Káús, alarmed, the fatal tidings hears; + His bosom quivers with increasing fears. + "Speed, speed, and see what has befallen to-day + To cause these groans and tears--what fatal fray! + If he be lost, if breathless on the ground, + And this young warrior, with the conquest crowned-- + Then must I, humbled, from my kingdom torn, + Wander like Jemshíd, through the world forlorn."[46] + + The army roused, rushed o'er the dusty plain, + Urged by the Monarch to revenge the slain; + Wild consternation saddened every face, + Tús winged with horror sought the fatal place, + And there beheld the agonizing sight-- + The murderous end of that unnatural fight. + Sohráb, still breathing, hears the shrill alarms, + His gentle speech suspends the clang of arms: + "My light of life now fluttering sinks in shade, + Let vengeance sleep, and peaceful vows be made. + Beseech the King to spare this Tartar host, + For they are guiltless, all to them is lost; + I led them on, their souls with glory fired, + While mad ambition all my thoughts inspired. + In search of thee, the world before my eyes, + War was my choice, and thou the sacred prize; + With thee, my sire! in virtuous league combined, + No tyrant King should persecute mankind. + That hope is past--the storm has ceased to rave-- + My ripening honours wither in the grave; + Then let no vengeance on my comrades fall, + Mine was the guilt, and mine the sorrow, all; + How often have I sought thee--oft my mind + Figured thee to my sight--o'erjoyed to find + My mother's token; disappointment came, + When thou denied thy lineage and thy name; + Oh! still o'er thee my soul impassioned hung, + Still to my father fond affection clung! + But fate, remorseless, all my hopes withstood, + And stained thy reeking hands in kindred blood." + + His faltering breath protracted speech denied: + Still from his eye-lids flowed a gushing tide; + Through Rustem's soul redoubled horror ran, + Heart-rending thoughts subdued the mighty man, + And now, at last, with joy-illumined eye, + The Zábul bands their glorious Chief descry; + But when they saw his pale and haggard look, + Knew from what mournful cause he gazed and shook, + With downcast mien they moaned and wept aloud; + While Rustem thus addressed the weeping crowd + "Here ends the war! let gentle peace succeed, + Enough of death, I--I have done the deed!" + Then to his brother, groaning deep, he said-- + "O what a curse upon a parent's head! + But go--and to the Tartar say--no more, + Let war between us steep the earth with gore." + Zúára flew and wildly spoke his grief, + To crafty Húmán, the Túránian Chief, + Who, with dissembled sorrow, heard him tell + The dismal tidings which he knew too well; + "And who," he said, "has caused these tears to flow? + Who, but Hujír? He might have stayed the blow, + But when Sohráb his Father's banners sought; + He still denied that here the Champion fought; + He spread the ruin, he the secret knew, + Hence should his crime receive the vengeance due!" + Zúára, frantic, breathed in Rustem's ear, + The treachery of the captive Chief, Hujír; + Whose headless trunk had weltered on the strand, + But prayers and force withheld the lifted hand. + Then to his dying son the Champion turned, + Remorse more deep within his bosom burned; + A burst of frenzy fired his throbbing brain; + He clenched his sword, but found his fury vain; + The Persian Chiefs the desperate act represt, + And tried to calm the tumult in his breast: + Thus Gúdarz spoke--"Alas! wert thou to give + Thyself a thousand wounds, and cease to live; + What would it be to him thou sorrowest o'er? + It would not save one pang--then weep no more; + For if removed by death, O say, to whom + Has ever been vouchsafed a different doom? + All are the prey of death--the crowned, the low, + And man, through life, the victim still of woe." + Then Rustem: "Fly! and to the King relate, + The pressing horrors which involve my fate; + And if the memory of my deeds e'er swayed + His mind, O supplicate his generous aid; + A sovereign balm he has whose wondrous power, + All wounds can heal, and fleeting life restore;[47] + Swift from his tent the potent medicine bring." + --But mark the malice of the brainless King! + Hard as the flinty rock, he stern denies + The healthful draught, and gloomy thus replies: + "Can I forgive his foul and slanderous tongue? + The sharp disdain on me contemptuous flung? + Scorned 'midst my army by a shameless boy, + Who sought my throne, my sceptre to destroy! + Nothing but mischief from his heart can flow, + Is it, then, wise to cherish such a foe? + The fool who warms his enemy to life, + Only prepares for scenes of future strife." + + Gúdarz, returning, told the hopeless tale-- + And thinking Rustem's presence might prevail; + The Champion rose, but ere he reached the throne, + Sohráb had breathed the last expiring groan. + + Now keener anguish rack'd the father's mind, + Reft of his son, a murderer of his kind; + His guilty sword distained with filial gore, + He beat his burning breast, his hair he tore; + The breathless corse before his shuddering view, + A shower of ashes o'er his head he threw; + "In my old age," he cried, "what have I done? + Why have I slain my son, my innocent son! + Why o'er his splendid dawning did I roll + The clouds of death--and plunge my burthened soul + In agony? My son! from heroes sprung; + Better these hands were from my body wrung; + And solitude and darkness, deep and drear, + Fold me from sight than hated linger here. + But when his mother hears, with horror wild, + That I have shed the life-blood of her child, + So nobly brave, so dearly loved, in vain, + How can her heart that rending shock sustain?" + + Now on a bier the Persian warriors place + The breathless Youth, and shade his pallid face; + And turning from that fatal field away, + Move towards the Champion's home in long array. + Then Rustem, sick of martial pomp and show, + Himself the spring of all this scene of woe, + Doomed to the flames the pageantry he loved, + Shield, spear, and mace, so oft in battle proved; + Now lost to all, encompassed by despair; + His bright pavilion crackling blazed in air; + The sparkling throne the ascending column fed; + In smoking fragments fell the golden bed; + The raging fire red glimmering died away, + And all the Warrior's pride in dust and ashes lay. + + Káús, the King, now joins the mournful Chief, + And tries to soothe his deep and settled grief; + For soon or late we yield our vital breath, + And all our worldly troubles end in death! + "When first I saw him, graceful in his might, + He looked far other than a Tartar knight; + Wondering I gazed--now Destiny has thrown + Him on thy sword--he fought, and he is gone; + And should even Heaven against the earth be hurled, + Or fire inwrap in crackling flames the world, + That which is past--we never can restore, + His soul has travelled to some happier shore. + Alas! no good from sorrow canst thou reap, + Then wherefore thus in gloom and misery weep?" + + But Rustem's mighty woes disdained his aid, + His heart was drowned in grief, and thus he said: + "Yes, he is gone! to me for ever lost! + O then protect his brave unguided host; + From war removed and this detested place, + Let them, unharmed, their mountain-wilds retrace; + Bid them secure my brother's will obey, + The careful guardian of their weary way,[48] + To where the Jihún's distant waters stray." + To this the King: "My soul is sad to see + Thy hopeless grief--but, since approved by thee, + The war shall cease--though the Túránian brand + Has spread dismay and terror through the land." + + The King, appeased, no more with vengeance burned, + The Tartar legions to their homes returned; + The Persian warriors, gathering round the dead, + Grovelled in dust, and tears of sorrow shed; + Then back to loved Irán their steps the monarch led. + + But Rustem, midst his native bands, remained, + And further rites of sacrifice maintained; + A thousand horses bled at his command, + And the torn drums were scattered o'er the sand; + And now through Zábul's deep and bowery groves, + In mournful pomp the sad procession moves. + The mighty Chief on foot precedes the bier; + His Warrior-friends, in grief assembled near: + The dismal cadence rose upon the gale, + And Zál astonished heard the piercing wail; + He and his kindred joined the solemn train; + Hung round the bier and wondering viewed the slain. + "There gaze, and weep!" the sorrowing Father said, + "For there, behold my glorious offspring dead!" + The hoary Sire shrunk backward with surprise, + And tears of blood o'erflowed his aged eyes; + And now the Champion's rural palace gate + Receives the funeral group in gloomy state; + Rúdábeh loud bemoaned the Stripling's doom; + Sweet flower, all drooping in the hour of bloom, + His tender youth in distant bowers had past, + Sheltered at home he felt no withering blast; + In the soft prison of his mother's arms, + Secure from danger and the world's alarms. + O ruthless Fortune! flushed with generous pride, + He sought his sire, and thus unhappy, died. + + Rustem again the sacred bier unclosed; + Again Sohráb to public view exposed; + Husbands, and wives, and warriors, old and young, + Struck with amaze, around the body hung, + With garments rent and loosely flowing hair; + Their shrieks and clamours filled the echoing air; + Frequent they cried: "Thus Sám the Champion slept! + Thus sleeps Sohráb!" Again they groaned, and wept. + + Now o'er the corpse a yellow robe is spread, + The aloes bier is closed upon the dead; + And, to preserve the hapless hero's name, + Fragrant and fresh, that his unblemished fame + Might live and bloom through all succeeding days, + A mound sepulchral on the spot they raise, + Formed like a charger's hoof. + + In every ear + The story has been told--and many a tear, + Shed at the sad recital. Through Túrán, + Afrásiyáb's wide realm, and Samengán, + Deep sunk the tidings--nuptial bower, and bed, + And all that promised happiness, had fled! + + But when Tahmíneh heard this tale of woe, + Think how a mother bore the mortal blow! + Distracted, wild, she sprang from place to place; + With frenzied hands deformed her beauteous face; + The musky locks her polished temples crowned. + Furious she tore, and flung upon the ground; + Starting, in agony of grief, she gazed-- + Her swimming eyes to Heaven imploring raised; + And groaning cried: "Sole comfort of my life! + Doomed the sad victim of unnatural strife, + Where art thou now with dust and blood defiled? + Thou darling boy, my lost, my murdered child! + When thou wert gone--how, night and lingering day, + Did thy fond mother watch the time away; + For hope still pictured all I wished to see, + Thy father found, and thou returned to me, + Yes--thou, exulting in thy father's fame! + And yet, nor sire nor son, nor tidings, came: + How could I dream of this? ye met--but how? + That noble aspect--that ingenuous brow, + Moved not a nerve in him--ye met--to part, + Alas! the life-blood issuing from the heart + Short was the day which gave to me delight, + Soon, soon, succeeds a long and dismal night; + On whom shall now devolve my tender care? + Who, loved like thee, my bosom-sorrows share? + Whom shall I take to fill thy vacant place, + To whom extend a mother's soft embrace? + Sad fate! for one so young, so fair, so brave, + Seeking thy father thus to find a grave. + These arms no more shall fold thee to my breast, + No more with thee my soul be doubly blest; + No, drowned in blood thy lifeless body lies, + For ever torn from these desiring eyes; + Friendless, alone, beneath a foreign sky, + Thy mail thy death-clothes--and thy father, by; + Why did not I conduct thee on the way, + And point where Rustem's bright pavilion lay? + Thou hadst the tokens--why didst thou withhold + Those dear remembrances--that pledge of gold? + Hadst thou the bracelet to his view restored, + Thy precious blood had never stained his sword." + + The strong emotion choked her panting breath, + Her veins seemed withered by the cold of death: + The trembling matrons hastening round her mourned, + With piercing cries, till fluttering life returned; + Then gazing up, distraught, she wept again, + And frantic, seeing 'midst her pitying train, + The favourite steed--now more than ever dear, + The hoofs she kissed, and bathed with many a tear; + Clasping the mail Sohráb in battle wore, + With burning lips she kissed it o'er and o'er; + His martial robes she in her arms comprest, + And like an infant strained them to her breast; + The reins, and trappings, club, and spear, were brought, + The sword, and shield, with which the Stripling fought, + These she embraced with melancholy joy, + In sad remembrance of her darling boy. + And still she beat her face, and o'er them hung, + As in a trance--or to them wildly clung-- + Day after day she thus indulged her grief, + Night after night, disdaining all relief; + At length worn out--from earthly anguish riven, + The mother's spirit joined her child in Heaven. + + + +THE STORY OF SAIÁWUSH + +Early one morning as the cock crew, Tús arose, and accompanied by Gíw +and Gúdarz and a company of horsemen, proceeded on a hunting excursion, +not far from the banks of the Jihún, where, after ranging about the +forest for some time, they happened to fall in with a damsel of extreme +beauty, with smiling lips, blooming cheeks, and fascinating mien. They +said to her: + + "Never was seen so sweet a flower, + In garden, vale, or fairy bower; + The moon is on thy lovely face, + Thy cypress-form is full of grace; + But why, with charms so soft and meek, + Dost thou the lonely forest seek?" + +She replied that her father was a violent man, and that she had left her +home to escape his anger. She had crossed the river Jihún, and had +travelled several leagues on foot, in consequence of her horse being too +much fatigued to bear her farther. She had at that time been three days +in the forest. On being questioned respecting her parentage, she said +her father's name was Shíwer, of the race of Feridún. Many sovereigns +had been suitors for her hand, but she did not approve of one of them. +At last he wanted to marry her to Poshang, the ruler of Túrán, but she +refused him on account of his ugliness and bad temper! This she said was +the cause of her father's violence, and of her flight from home. + + "But when his angry mood is o'er, + He'll love his daughter as before; + And send his horsemen far and near, + To take me to my mother dear; + Therefore, I would not further stray, + But here, without a murmur, stay." + +The hearts of both Tús and Gíw were equally inflamed with love for the +damsel, and each was equally determined to support his own pretensions, +in consequence of which a quarrel arose between them. At length it was +agreed to refer the matter to the king, and to abide by his decision. +When, however, the king beheld the lovely object of contention, he was +not disposed to give her to either claimant, but without hesitation took +her to himself, after having first ascertained that she was of +distinguished family and connection. In due time a son was born to him, +who was, according to the calculations of the astrologers, of wonderful +promise, and named Saiáwush. The prophecies about his surprising +virtues, and his future renown, made Káús anxious that justice should be +done to his opening talents, and he was highly gratified when Rustem +agreed to take him to Zábulistán, and there instruct him in all the +accomplishments which were suitable to his illustrious rank. He was +accordingly taught horsemanship and archery, how to conduct himself at +banquets, how to hunt with the falcon and the leopard, and made familiar +with the manners and duty of kings, and the hardy chivalry of the age. +His progress in the attainment of every species of knowledge and science +was surprising, and in hunting he never stooped to the pursuit of +animals inferior to the lion or the tiger. It was not long before the +youth felt anxious to pay a visit to his father, and Rustem willingly +complying with his wishes, accompanied his accomplished pupil to the +royal court, where they were both received with becoming distinction, +Saiáwush having fulfilled Káús's expectations in the highest degree, and +the king's gratitude to the champion being in proportion to the eminent +merit of his services on the interesting occasion. After this, however, +preceptors were continued to enlighten his mind seven years longer, and +then he was emancipated from further application and study. + +One day Súdáveh, the daughter of the Sháh of Hámáverán, happening to see +Saiáwush sitting with his father, the beauty of his person made an +instantaneous impression on her heart, + + The fire of love consumed her breast, + The thoughts of him denied her rest. + For him alone she pined in grief, + From him alone she sought relief, + And called him to her secret bower, + To while away the passing hour: + But Saiáwush refused the call, + He would not shame his father's hall. + +The enamoured Súdáveh, however, was not to be disappointed without +further effort, and on a subsequent day she boldly went to the king, and +praising the character and attainments of his son, proposed that he +should be united in marriage to one of the damsels of royal lineage +under her care. For the pretended purpose therefore of making his +choice, she requested he might be sent to the harem, to see all the +ladies and fix on one the most suited to his taste. The king approved of +the proposal, and intimated it to Saiáwush; but Saiáwush was modest, +timid, and bashful, and mentally suspected in this overture some +artifice of Súdáveh. He accordingly hesitated, but the king overcame his +scruples, and the youth at length repaired to the shubistán, as the +retired apartments of the women are called, with fear and trembling. +When he entered within the precincts of the sacred place, he was +surprised by the richness and magnificence of everything that struck his +sight. He was delighted with the company of beautiful women, and he +observed Súdáveh sitting on a splendid throne in an interior chamber, +like Heaven in beauty and loveliness, with a coronet on her head, and +her hair floating round her in musky ringlets. Seeing him she descended +gracefully, and clasping him in her arms, kissed his eyes and face with +such ardor and enthusiasm that he thought proper to retire from her +endearments and mix among the other damsels, who placed him on a golden +chair and kept him in agreeable conversation for some time. After this +pleasing interview he returned to the king, and gave him a very +favorable account of his reception, and the heavenly splendor of the +retirement, worthy of Jemshíd, Feridún, or Húsheng, which gladdened his +father's heart. Káús repeated to him his wish that he would at once +choose one of the lights of the harem for his wife, as the astrologers +had prophesied on his marriage the birth of a prince. But Saiáwush +endeavored to excuse himself from going again to Súdáveh's apartments. +The king smiled at his weakness, and assured him that Súdáveh was alone +anxious for his happiness, upon which the youth found himself again in +her power. She was surrounded by the damsels as before, but, whilst his +eyes were cast down, they shortly disappeared, leaving him and the +enamoured Súdáveh together. She soon approached him, and lovingly +said:-- + + "O why the secret keep from one, + Whose heart is fixed on thee alone! + Say who thou art, from whom descended, + Some Peri with a mortal blended. + For every maid who sees that face, + That cypress-form replete with grace, + Becomes a victim to the wiles + Which nestle in those dimpled smiles; + Becomes thy own adoring slave, + Whom nothing but thy love can save." + +To this Saiáwush made no reply. The history of the adventure of Káús at +Hámáverán, and what the king and his warriors endured in consequence of +the treachery of the father of Súdáveh, flashed upon his mind. He +therefore was full of apprehension, and breathed not a word in answer to +her fondness. Súdáveh observing his silence and reluctance, threw away +from herself the veil of modesty, + + And said: "O be my own, for I am thine, + And clasp me in thy arms!" And then she sprang + To the astonished boy, and eagerly + Kissed his deep crimsoned cheek, which filled his soul + With strange confusion. "When the king is dead, + O take me to thyself; see how I stand, + Body and soul devoted unto thee." + In his heart he said: "This never can be: + This is a demon's work--shall I be treacherous? + What! to my own dear father? Never, never; + I will not thus be tempted by the devil; + Yet must I not be cold to this wild woman, + For fear of further folly." + +Saiáwush then expressed his readiness to be united in marriage to her +daughter, and to no other; and when this intelligence was conveyed to +Káús by Súdáveh herself, His Majesty was extremely pleased, and +munificently opened his treasury on the happy occasion. But Súdáveh +still kept in view her own design, and still laboring for its success, +sedulously read her own incantations to prevent disappointment, at any +rate to punish the uncomplying youth if she failed. On another day she +sent for him, and exclaimed:-- + + "I cannot now dissemble; since I saw thee + I seem to be as dead--my heart all withered. + Seven years have passed in unrequited love-- + Seven long, long years. O! be not still obdurate, + But with the generous impulse of affection, + Oh, bless my anxious spirit, or, refusing, + Thy life will be in peril; thou shalt die!" + "Never," replied the youth; "O, never, never; + Oh, ask me not, for this can never be." + +Saiáwush then rose to depart precipitately, but Súdáveh observing him, +endeavored to cling round him and arrest his flight. The endeavor, +however, was fruitless; and finding at length her situation desperate, +she determined to turn the adventure into her own favor, by accusing +Saiáwush of an atrocious outrage on her own person and virtue. She +accordingly tore her dress, screamed aloud, and rushed out of her +apartment to inform Káús of the indignity she had suffered. Among her +women the most clamorous lamentations arose, and echoed on every side. +The king, on hearing that Saiáwush had preferred Súdáveh to her +daughter, and that he had meditated so abominable an offence, thought +that death alone could expiate his crime. He therefore summoned him to +his presence; but satisfied that it would be difficult, if not +impossible, to ascertain the truth of the case from either party +concerned, he had recourse to a test which he thought would be +infallible and conclusive. He first smelt the hands of Saiáwush, and +then his garments, which had the scent of rose-water; and then he took +the garments of Súdáveh, which, on the contrary, had a strong flavor of +wine and musk. Upon this discovery, the king resolved on the death of +Súdáveh, being convinced of the falsehood of the accusation she had made +against his son. But when his indignation subsided, he was induced on +various accounts to forego that resolution. Yet he said to her, "I am +sure that Saiáwush is innocent, but let that remain concealed."--Súdáveh, +however, persisted in asserting his guilt, and continually urged him to +punish the reputed offender, but without being attended to. + +At length he resolved to ascertain the innocence of Saiáwush by the +ordeal of fire; and the fearless youth prepared to undergo the terrible +trial to which he was sentenced, telling his father to be under no +alarm. + + "The truth (and its reward I claim), + Will bear me safe through fiercest flame." + +A tremendous fire was accordingly lighted on the adjacent plain, which +blazed to an immense distance. The youth was attired in his golden +helmet and a white robe, and mounted on a black horse. He put up a +prayer to the Almighty for protection, and then rushed amidst the +conflagration, as collectedly as if the act had been entirely free from +peril. When Súdáveh heard the confused exclamations that were uttered at +that moment, she hurried upon the terrace of the palace and witnessed +the appalling sight, and in the fondness of her heart, wished even that +she could share his fate, the fate of him of whom she was so deeply +enamoured. The king himself fell from his throne in horror on seeing him +surrounded and enveloped in the flames, from which there seemed no +chance of extrication; but the gallant youth soon rose up, like the moon +from the bursting element, and went through the ordeal unharmed and +untouched by the fire. Káús, on coming to his senses, rejoiced +exceedingly on the happy occasion, and his severest anger was directed +against Súdáveh, whom he now determined to put to death, not only for +her own guilt, but for exposing his son to such imminent danger. The +noble youth, however, interceded for her. Súdáveh, notwithstanding, +still continued to practise her charms and incantations in secret, to +the end that Saiáwush might be put out of the way; and in this pursuit +she was indeed indefatigable. + +Suddenly intelligence was received that Afrásiyáb had assembled another +army, for the purpose of making an irruption into Irán; and Káús, seeing +that a Tartar could neither be bound by promise nor oath, resolved that +he would on this occasion take the field himself, penetrate as far as +Balkh, and seizing the country, make an example of the inhabitants. But +Saiáwush perceiving in this prospect of affairs an opportunity of +becoming free from the machinations and witchery of Súdáveh, earnestly +requested to be employed, adding that, with the advice and bravery of +Rustem, he would be sure of success. The king referred the matter to +Rustem, who candidly declared that there was no necessity whatever for +His Majesty proceeding personally to the war; and upon this assurance he +threw open his treasury, and supplied all the resources of the empire to +equip the troops appointed to accompany them. After one month the army +marched toward Balkh, the point of attack. + +On the other side Gersíwaz, the ruler of Balghar, joined the Tartar +legions at Balkh, commanded by Bármán, who both sallied forth to oppose +the Persian host, and after a conflict of three days were defeated, and +obliged to abandon the fort. When the accounts of this calamity reached +Afrásiyáb, he was seized with the utmost terror, which was increased by +a dreadful dream. He thought he was in a forest abounding with serpents, +and that the air was darkened by the appearance of countless eagles. The +ground was parched up with heat, and a whirlwind hurled down his tent +and overthrew his banners. On every side flowed a river of blood, and +the whole of his army had been defeated and butchered in his sight. He +was afterwards taken prisoner, and ignominiously conducted to Káús, in +whose company he beheld a gallant youth, not more than fourteen years of +age, who, the moment he saw him, plunged a dagger in his loins, and with +the scream of agony produced by the wound, he awoke. Gersíwaz had in the +meantime returned with the remnant of his force; and being informed of +these particulars, endeavored to console Afrásiyáb, by assuring him that +the true interpretation of dreams was the reverse of appearances. But +Afrásiyáb was not to be consoled in this manner. He referred to his +astrologers, who, however, hesitated, and were unwilling to afford an +explanation of the mysterious vision. At length one of them, upon the +solicited promise that the king would not punish him for divulging the +truth, described the nature of the warning implied in what had been +witnessed. + + "And now I throw aside the veil, + Which hides the darkly shadowed tale. + Led by a prince of prosperous star, + The Persian legions speed to war, + And in his horoscope we scan + The lordly victor of Túrán. + If thou shouldst to the conflict rush, + Opposed to conquering Saiáwush, + Thy Turkish cohorts will be slain, + And all thy saving efforts vain. + For if he, in the threatened strife, + Should haply chance to lose his life; + Thy country's fate will be the same, + Stripped of its throne and diadem." + +Afrásiyáb was satisfied with this interpretation, and felt the prudence +of avoiding a war so pregnant with evil consequences to himself and his +kingdom. He therefore deputed Gersíwaz to the headquarters of Saiáwush, +with splendid presents, consisting of horses richly caparisoned, armor, +swords, and other costly articles, and a written dispatch, proposing a +termination to hostilities. + +In the meantime Saiáwush was anxious to pursue the enemy across the +Jihún, but was dissuaded by his friends. When Gersíwaz arrived on his +embassy he was received with distinction, and the object of his mission +being understood, a secret council was held upon what answer should be +given. It was then deemed proper to demand: first, one hundred +distinguished heroes as hostages; and secondly, the restoration of all +the provinces which the Túránians had taken from Irán. Gersíwaz sent +immediately to Afrásiyáb to inform him of the conditions required, and +without the least delay they were approved. A hundred warriors were soon +on their way; and Bokhára, and Samerkánd, and Haj, and the Punjáb, were +faithfully delivered over to Saiáwush. Afrásiyáb himself retired towards +Gungduz, saying, "I have had a terrible dream, and I will surrender +whatever may be required from me, rather than go to war." + +The negotiations being concluded, Saiáwush sent a letter to his father +by the hands of Rustem. Rumor, however, had already told Káús of +Afrásiyáb's dream, and the terror he had been thrown into in +consequence. The astrologers in his service having prognosticated from +it the certain ruin of the Túránian king, the object of Rustem's mission +was directly contrary to the wishes of Káús; but Rustem contended that +the policy was good, and the terms were good, and he thereby incurred +His Majesty's displeasure. On this account Káús appointed Tús the leader +of the Persian army, and commanded him to march against Afrásiyáb, +ordering Saiáwush at the same time to return, and bring with him his +hundred hostages. At this command Saiáwush was grievously offended, and +consulted with his chieftains, Báhrám, and Zinga, and Sháwerán, on the +fittest course to be pursued, saying, "I have pledged my word to the +fulfilment of the terms, and what will the world say if I do not keep my +faith?" The chiefs tried to quiet his mind, and recommended him to write +again to Káús, expressing his readiness to renew the war, and return the +hundred hostages. But Saiáwush was in a different humor, and thought as +Tús had been actually appointed to the command of the Persian army, it +would be most advisable for him to abandon his country and join +Afrásiyáb. The chiefs, upon hearing this singular resolution, +unanimously attempted to dissuade him from pursuing so wild a course as +throwing himself into the power of his enemy; but he was deaf to their +entreaties, and in the stubbornness of his spirit, wrote to Afrásiyáb, +informing him that Káús had refused to ratify the treaty of peace, that +he was compelled to return the hostages, and even himself to seek +protection in Túrán from the resentment of his father, the warrior Tús +having been already entrusted with the charge of the army. This +unexpected intelligence excited considerable surprise in the mind of +Afrásiyáb, but he had no hesitation in selecting the course to be +followed. The ambassadors, Zinga and Sháwerán, were soon furnished with +a reply, which was to this effect:--"I settled the terms of peace with +thee, not with thy father. With him I have nothing to do. If thy choice +be retirement and tranquillity, thou shalt have a peaceful and +independent province allotted to thee; but if war be thy object, I will +furnish thee with a large army: thy father is old and infirm, and with +the aid of Rustem, Persia will be an easy conquest." Having thus +obtained the promised favor and support of Afrásiyáb, Saiáwush gave in +charge to Báhrám the city of Balkh, the army and treasure, in order that +they might be delivered over to Tús on his arrival; and taking with him +three hundred chosen horsemen, passed the Jihún, in progress to the +court of Afrásiyáb. On taking this decisive step, he again wrote to +Káús, saying:-- + + "From my youth upward I have suffered wrong. + At first Súdáveh, false and treacherous, + Sought to destroy my happiness and fame; + And thou hadst nearly sacrificed my life + To glut her vengeance. The astrologers + Were all unheeded, who pronounced me innocent, + And I was doomed to brave devouring fire, + To testify that I was free from guilt; + But God was my deliverer! Victory now + Has marked my progress. Balkh, and all its spoils, + Are mine, and so reduced the enemy, + That I have gained a hundred hostages, + To guarantee the peace which I have made; + And what my recompense! a father's anger, + Which takes me from my glory. Thus deprived + Of thy affection, whither can I fly? + Be it to friend or foe, the will of fate + Must be my only guide--condemned by thee." + +The reception of Saiáwush by Afrásiyáb was warm and flattering. From the +gates of the city to the palace, gold and incense were scattered over +his head in the customary manner, and exclamations of welcome uttered on +every side. + + "Thy presence gives joy to the land, + Which awaits thy command; + It is thine! it is thine! + All the chiefs of the state have assembled to meet thee, + All the flowers of the land are in blossom to greet thee!" + +The youth was placed on a golden throne next to Afrásiyáb, and a +magnificent banquet prepared in honor of the stranger, and music and the +songs of beautiful women enlivened the festive scene. They chanted the +praises of Saiáwush, distinguished, as they said, among men for three +things: first, for being of the line of Kai-kobád; secondly, for his +faith and honor; and, thirdly, for the wonderful beauty of his person, +which had gained universal love and admiration. The favorable sentiments +which characterized the first introduction of Saiáwush to Afrásiyáb +continued to prevail, and indeed the king of Túrán seemed to regard him +with increased attachment and friendship, as the time passed away, and +showed him all the respect and honor to which his royal birth would have +entitled him in his own country. After the lapse of a year, Pírán-wísah, +one of Afrásiyáb's generals, said to him: "Young prince, thou art now +high in the favor of the king, and at a great distance from Persia, and +thy father is old; would it not therefore be better for thee to marry +and take up thy residence among us for life?" The suggestion was a +rational one, and Saiáwush readily expressed his acquiescence; +accordingly, the lovely Gúlshaher, who was also named Jaríra, having +been introduced to him, he was delighted with her person, and both +consenting to a union, the marriage ceremony was immediately performed. + + And many a warm delicious kiss, + Told how he loved the wedded bliss. + +Some time after this union, Pírán suggested another alliance, for the +purpose of strengthening his political interest and power, and this was +with Ferangís, the daughter of Afrásiyáb. But Saiáwush was so devoted to +Gúlshaher that he first consulted with her on the subject, although the +hospitality and affection of the king constituted such strong claims on +his gratitude that refusal was impossible. Gúlshaher, however, was a +heroine, and willingly sacrificed her own feelings for the good of +Saiáwush, saying she would rather condescend to be the very handmaid of +Ferangís than that the happiness and prosperity of her lord should be +compromised. The second marriage accordingly took place, and Afrásiyáb +was so pleased with the match that he bestowed on the bride and her +husband the sovereignty of Khoten, together with countless treasure in +gold, and a great number of horses, camels, and elephants. In a short +time they proceeded to the seat of the new government. + +Meanwhile Káús suffered the keenest distress and sorrow when he heard of +the flight of Saiáwush into Túrán, and Rustem felt such strong +indignation at the conduct of the king that he abruptly quitted the +court, without permission, and retired to Sístán. Káús thus found +himself in an embarrassed condition, and deemed it prudent to recall +both Tús and the army from Balkh, and relinquish further hostile +measures against Afrásiyáb. + +The first thing that Saiáwush undertook after his arrival at Khoten, was +to order the selection of a beautiful site for his residence, and Pírán +devoted his services to fulfil that object, exploring all the provinces, +hills, and dales, on every side. At last he discovered a beautiful spot, +at the distance of about a month's journey, which combined all the +qualities and advantages required by the anxious prince. It was situated +on a mountain, and surrounded by scenery of exquisite richness and +variety. The trees were fresh and green, birds warbled on every spray, +transparent rivulets murmured through the meadows, the air was neither +oppressively hot in summer, nor cold in winter, so that the temperature, +and the attractive objects which presented themselves at every glance, +seemed to realize the imagined charms and fascinations of Paradise. The +inhabitants enjoyed perpetual health, and every breeze was laden with +music and perfume. So lovely a place could not fail to yield pleasure to +Saiáwush, who immediately set about building a palace there, and +garden-temples, in which he had pictures painted of the most remarkable +persons of his time, and also the portraits of ancient kings. The walls +were decorated with the likenesses of Kai-kobád, of Kai-káús, Poshang, +Afrásiyáb, and Sám, and Zál, and Rustem, and other champions of Persia +and Túrán. When completed, it was a gorgeous retreat, and the sight of +it sufficient to give youthful vigor to the withered faculties of age. +And yet Saiáwush was not happy! Tears started into his eyes and sorrow +weighed upon his heart, whenever he thought upon his own estrangement +from home! + +It happened that the lovely Gúlshaher, who had been left in the house of +her father, was delivered of a son in due time, and he was named Ferúd. + +Afrásiyáb, on being informed of the proceedings of Saiáwush, and of the +heart-expanding residence he had chosen, was highly gratified; and to +show his affectionate regard, despatched to him with the intelligence of +the birth of a son, presents of great value and variety. Gersíwaz, the +brother of Afrásiyáb, and who had from the first looked upon Saiáwush +with a jealous and malignant eye, being afraid of his interfering with +his own prospects in Túrán, was the person sent on this occasion. But he +hid his secret thoughts under the veil of outward praise and +approbation. Saiáwush was pleased with the intelligence and the +presents, but failed to pay the customary respect to Gersíwaz on his +arrival, and, in consequence, the lurking indignation and hatred +formerly felt by the latter were considerably augmented. The attention +of Saiáwush respecting his army and the concerns of the state, was +unremitting, and noted by the visitor with a jealous and scrutinizing +eye, so that Gersíwaz, on his return to the court of Afrásiyáb, artfully +talked much of the pomp and splendor of the prince, and added: "Saiáwush +is far from being the amiable character thou hast supposed; he is artful +and ambitious, and he has collected an immense army; he is in fact +dissatisfied. As a proof of his haughtiness, he paid me but little +attention, and doubtless very heavy calamity will soon befall Túrán, +should he break out, as I apprehend he will, into open rebellion:-- + + "For he is proud, and thou has yet to learn + The temper of thy daughter Ferangís, + Now bound to him in duty and affection; + Their purpose is the same, to overthrow + The kingdom of Túrán, and thy dominion; + To merge the glory of this happy realm + Into the Persian empire!" + +But plausible and persuasive as were the observations and positive +declarations of Gersíwaz, Afrásiyáb would not believe the imputed +ingratitude and hostility of Saiáwush. "He has sought my protection," +said he; "he has thrown himself upon my generosity, and I cannot think +him treacherous. But if he has meditated anything unmerited by me, and +unworthy of himself, it will be better to send him back to Kai-káús, his +father." The artful Gersíwaz, however, was not to be diverted from his +object: he said that Saiáwush had become personally acquainted with +Túrán, its position, its weakness, its strength, and resources, and +aided by Rustem, would soon be able to overrun the country if he was +suffered to return, and therefore he recommended Afrásiyáb to bring him +from Khoten by some artifice, and secure him. In conformity with this +suggestion, Gersíwaz was again deputed to the young prince, and a letter +of a friendly nature written for the purpose of blinding him to the real +intentions of his father-in-law. The letter was no sooner read than +Saiáwush expressed his desire to comply with the request contained in +it, saying that Afrásiyáb had been a father to him, and that he would +lose no time in fulfilling in all respects the wishes he had received. + +This compliance and promptitude, however, was not in harmony with the +sinister views of Gersíwaz, for he foresaw that the very fact of +answering the call immediately would show that some misrepresentation +had been practised, and consequently it was his business now to promote +procrastination, and an appearance of evasive delay. He therefore said +to him privately that it would be advisable for him to wait a little, +and not manifest such implicit obedience to the will of Afrásiyáb; but +Saiáwush replied, that both his duty and affection urged him to a ready +compliance. Then Gersíwaz pressed him more warmly, and represented how +inconsistent, how unworthy of his illustrious lineage it would be to +betray so meek a spirit, especially as he had a considerable army at his +command, and could vindicate his dignity and his rights. And he +addressed to him these specious arguments so incessantly and with such +earnestness, that the deluded prince was at last induced to put off his +departure, on account of his wife Ferangís pretending that she was ill, +and saying that the moment she was better he would return to Túrán. This +was quite enough for treachery to work upon; and as soon as the dispatch +was sealed, Gersíwaz conveyed it with the utmost expedition to +Afrásiyáb. Appearances, at least, were thus made strong against +Saiáwush, and the tyrant of Túrán, now easily convinced of his +falsehood, and feeling in consequence his former enmity renewed, +forthwith assembled an army to punish his refractory son-in-law. +Gersíwaz was appointed the leader of that army, which was put in motion +without delay against the unoffending youth. The news of Afrásiyáb's +warlike preparations satisfied the mind of Saiáwush that Gersíwaz had +given him good advice, and that he had been a faithful monitor, for +immediate compliance, he now concluded, would have been his utter ruin. +When he communicated this unwelcome intelligence to Ferangís, she was +thrown into the greatest alarm and agitation; but ever fruitful in +expedients, suggested the course that it seemed necessary he should +instantly adopt, which was to fly by a circuitous route back to Irán. To +this he expressed no dissent, provided she would accompany him; but she +said it was impossible to do so on account of the condition she was in. +"Leave me," she added, "and save thy own life!" He therefore called +together his three hundred Iránians, and requesting Ferangís, if she +happened to be delivered of a son, to call him Kai-khosráu, set off on +his journey. + + "I go, surrounded by my enemies; + The hand of merciless Afrásiyáb + Lifted against me." + +It was not the fortune of Saiáwush, however, to escape so easily as had +been anticipated by Ferangís. Gersíwaz was soon at his heels, and in the +battle that ensued, all the Iránians were killed, and also the horse +upon which the unfortunate prince rode, so that on foot he could make +but little progress. In the meantime Afrásiyáb came up, and surrounding +him, wanted to shoot him with an arrow, but he was restrained from the +violent act by the intercession of his people, who recommended his being +taken alive, and only kept in prison. Accordingly he was again attacked +and secured, and still Afrásiyáb wished to put him to death; but Pílsam, +one of his warriors, and the brother of Pírán, induced him to relinquish +that diabolical intention, and to convey him back to his own palace. +Saiáwush was then ignominiously fettered and conducted to the royal +residence, which he had himself erected and ornamented with such +richness and magnificence. The sight of the city and its splendid +buildings filled every one with wonder and admiration. Upon the arrival +of Afrásiyáb, Ferangís hastened to him in a state of the deepest +distress, and implored his clemency and compassion in favor of Saiáwush. + + "O father, he is not to blame, + Still pure and spotless is his name; + Faithful and generous still to me, + And never--never false to thee. + This hate to Gersíwaz he owes, + The worst, the bitterest of his foes; + Did he not thy protection seek, + And wilt thou overpower the weak? + Spill royal blood thou shouldest bless, + In cruel sport and wantonness? + And earn the curses of mankind, + Living, in this precarious state, + And dead, the torments of the mind, + Which hell inflicts upon the great + Who revel in a murderous course, + And rule by cruelty and force. + + "It scarce becomes me now to tell, + What the accursed Zohák befel, + Or what the punishment which hurled + Sílim and Túr from out the world. + And is not Káús living now, + With rightful vengeance on his brow? + And Rustem, who alone can make + Thy kingdom to its centre quake? + Gúdarz, Zúára, and Fríburz, + And Tús, and Girgín, and Frámurz; + And others too of fearless might, + To challenge thee to mortal fight? + O, from this peril turn away, + Close not in gloom so bright a day; + Some heed to thy poor daughter give, + And let thy guiltless captive live." + +The effect of this appeal, solemnly and urgently delivered, was only +transitory. Afrasiyáb felt a little compunction at the moment, but soon +resumed his ferocious spirit, and to ensure, without interruption, the +accomplishment of his purpose, confined Ferangís in one of the remotest +parts of the palace:-- + + And thus to Gersíwaz unfeeling spoke: + "Off with his head, down with the enemy; + But take especial notice that his blood + Stains not the earth, lest it should cry aloud + For vengeance on us. Take good care of that!" + +Gersíwaz, who was but too ready an instrument, immediately directed +Karú-zíra, a kinsman of Afrásiyáb, who had been also one of the most +zealous in promoting the ruin of the Persian prince, to inflict the +deadly blow; and Saiáwush, whilst under the grasp of the executioner, +had but time to put up a prayer to Heaven, in which he hoped that a son +might be born to him to vindicate his good name, and be revenged on his +murderer. The executioner then seized him by the hair, and throwing him +on the ground, severed the head from the body. A golden vessel was ready +to receive the blood, as commanded by Afrásiyáb; but a few drops +happened to be spilt on the soil, and upon that spot a tree grew up, +which was afterwards called Saiáwush, and believed to possess many +wonderful virtues! The blood was carefully conveyed to Afrásiyáb, the +head fixed on the point of a javelin, and the body was buried with +respect and affection by his friend Pílsam, who had witnessed the +melancholy catastrophe. It is also related that a tremendous tempest +occurred at the time this amiable prince was murdered, and that a total +darkness covered the face of the earth, so that the people could not +distinguish each other's faces. Then was the name of Afrásiyáb truly +execrated and abhorred for the cruel act he had committed, and all the +inhabitants of Khoten long cherished the memory of Saiáwush. + +Ferangís was frantic with grief when she was told of the sad fate of her +husband, and all her household uttered the loudest lamentations. Pílsam +gave the intelligence to Pírán and the proverb was then remembered: "It +is better to be in hell, than under the rule of Afrásiyáb!" When the +deep sorrow of Ferangís reached the ears of her father, he determined on +a summary procedure, and ordered Gersíwaz to have her privately made +away with, so that there might be no issue of her marriage with +Saiáwush. + + Pírán with horror heard this stern command, + And hasten'd to the king, and thus addressed him: + "What! wouldst thou hurl thy vengeance on a woman, + That woman, too, thy daughter? Is it wise, + Or natural, thus to sport with human life? + Already hast thou taken from her arms + Her unoffending husband--that was cruel; + But thus to shed an innocent woman's blood, + And kill her unborn infant--that would be + Too dreadful to imagine! Is she not + Thy own fair daughter, given in happier time + To him who won thy favour and affection? + Think but of that, and from thy heart root out + This demon wish, which leads thee to a crime, + Mocking concealment; vain were the endeavour + To keep the murder secret, and when known, + The world's opprobrium would pursue thy name. + And after death, what would thy portion be! + No more of this--honour me with the charge, + And I will keep her with a father's care, + In my own mansion." Then Afrásiyáb + Readily answered: "Take her to thy home, + But when the child is born, let it be brought + Promptly to me--my will must be obeyed." + +Pírán rejoiced at his success; and assenting to the command of +Afrásiyáb, took Ferangís with him to Khoten, where in due time a child +was born, and being a son, was called Kai-khosráu. As soon as he was +born, Pírán took measures to prevent his being carried off to Afrásiyáb, +and committed him to the care of some peasants on the mountain Kalún. On +the same night Afrásiyáb had a dream, in which he received intimation of +the birth of Kai-khosráu; and upon this intimation he sent for Pírán to +know why his commands had not been complied with. Pírán replied, that he +had cast away the child in the wilderness. "And why was he not sent to +me?" inquired the despot. "Because," said Pírán, "I considered thy own +future happiness; thou hast unjustly killed the father, and God forbid +that thou shouldst also kill the son!" Afrásiyáb was abashed, and it is +said that ever after the atrocious murder of Saiáwush, he had been +tormented with the most terrible and harrowing dreams. Gersíwaz now +became hateful to his sight, and he began at last deeply to repent of +his violence and inhumanity. + +Kai-khosráu grew up under the fostering protection of the peasants, and +showed early marks of surprising talent and activity. He excelled in +manly exercises; and hunting ferocious animals was his peculiar delight. +Instructors had been provided to initiate him in all the arts and +pursuits cultivated by the warriors of those days, and even in his +twelfth year accounts were forwarded to Pírán of several wonderful feats +which he had performed. + + Then smiled the good old man, and joyful said: + "'Tis ever thus--the youth of royal blood + Will not disgrace his lineage, but betray + By his superior mien and gallant deeds + From whence he sprung. 'Tis by the luscious fruit + We know the tree, and glory in its ripeness!" + +Pírán could not resist paying a visit to the youth in his mountainous +retreat, and, happy to find him, beyond all expectation, distinguished +for the elegance of his external appearance, and the superior qualities +of his mind, related to him the circumstances under which he had been +exposed, and the rank and misfortunes of his father. An artifice then +occurred to him which promised to be of ultimate advantage. He +afterwards told Afrásiyáb that the offspring of Ferangís, thrown by him +into the wilderness to perish, had been found by a peasant and brought +up, but that he understood the boy was little better than an idiot. +Afrásiyáb, upon this information, desired that he might be sent for, and +in the meantime Pírán took especial care to instruct Kai-khosráu how he +should act; which was to seem in all respects insane, and he accordingly +appeared before the king in the dress of a prince with a golden crown on +his head, and the royal girdle round his loins. Kai-khosráu proceeded on +horseback to the court of Afrásiyáb, and having performed the usual +salutations, was suitably received, though with strong feelings of shame +and remorse on the part of the tyrant. Afrásiyáb put several questions +to him, which were answered in a wild and incoherent manner, entirely at +variance with the subject proposed. The king could not help smiling, and +supposing him to be totally deranged, allowed him to be sent with +presents to his mother, for no harm, he thought, could possibly be +apprehended from one so forlorn in mind. Pírán triumphed in the success +of his scheme, and lost no time in taking Kai-khosráu to his mother. All +the people of Khoten poured blessings on the head of the youth, and +imprecations on the merciless spirit of Afrásiyáb. The city built by +Saiáwush had been razed to the ground by the exterminating fury of his +enemies, and wild animals and reptiles occupied the place on which it +stood. The mother and son visited the spot where Saiáwush was +barbarously killed, and the tree, which grew up from the soil enriched +by his blood, was found verdant and flourishing, and continued to +possess in perfection its marvellous virtues. + + The tale of Saiáwush is told; + And now the pages bright unfold, + Rustem's revenge--Súdáveh's fate-- + Afrásiyáb's degraded state, + And that terrific curse and ban + Which fell at last upon Túrán! + +When Kai-káús heard of the fate of his son, and all its horrible details +were pictured to his mind, he was thrown into the deepest affliction. +His warriors, Tús, and Gúdarz, and Báhrám, and Fríburz, and Ferhád, felt +with equal keenness the loss of the amiable prince, and Rustem, as soon +as the dreadful intelligence reached Sístán, set off with his troops to +the court of the king, still full of indignation at the conduct of Káús, +and oppressed with sorrow respecting the calamity which had occurred. On +his arrival he thus addressed the weeping and disconsolate father of +Saiáwush, himself at the same time drowned in tears:-- + + "How has thy temper turned to nought, the seed + Which might have grown, and cast a glorious shadow; + How is it scattered to the barren winds! + Thy love for false Súdáveh was the cause + Of all this misery; she, the Sorceress, + O'er whom thou hast so oft in rapture hung, + Enchanted by her charms; she was the cause + Of this destruction. Thou art woman's slave! + Woman, the bane of man's felicity! + Who ever trusted woman? Death were better + Than being under woman's influence; + She places man upon the foamy ridge + Of the tempestuous wave, which rolls to ruin, + Who ever trusted woman?--Woman! woman!" + Káús looked down with melancholy mien, + And, half consenting, thus to Rustem said:-- + "Súdáveh's blandishments absorbed my soul, + And she has brought this wretchedness upon me." + Rustem rejoined--"The world must be revenged + Upon this false Súdáveh;--she must die." + Káús was silent; but his tears flowed fast, + And shame withheld resistance. Rustem rushed + Without a pause towards the shubistán; + Impatient, nothing could obstruct his speed + To slay Súdáveh;--her he quickly found, + And rapidly his sanguinary sword + Performed its office. Thus the Sorceress died. + Such was the punishment her crimes received. + +Having thus accomplished the first part of his vengeance, he proceeded +with the Persian army against Afrásiyáb, and all the Iránian warriors +followed his example. When he had penetrated as far as Túrán, the enemy +sent forward thirty thousand men to oppose his progress; and in the +conflict which ensued, Ferámurz took Sarkhá, the son of Afrásiyáb, +prisoner. Rustem delivered him over to Tús to be put to death precisely +in the same manner as Saiáwush; but the captive represented himself as +the particular friend of Saiáwush, and begged to be pardoned on that +account. Rustem, however, had sworn that he would take his revenge, +without pity or remorse, and accordingly death was inflicted upon the +unhappy prisoner, whose blood was received in a dish, and sent to Káús, +and the severed head suspended over the gates of the king's palace. +Afrásiyáb hearing of this catastrophe, which sealed the fate of his +favorite son, immediately collected together the whole of the Túránian +army, and hastened himself to resist the conquering career of the enemy. + + As on they moved; with loud and dissonant clang; + His numerous troops shut out the prospect round; + No sun was visible by day; no moon, + Nor stars by night. The tramp of men and steeds, + And rattling drums, and shouts, were only heard, + And the bright gleams of armour only seen. + +Ere long the two armies met, when Pílsam, the brother of Pírán, was +ambitious of opposing his single arm against Rustem, upon which +Afrásiyáb said:--"Subdue Rustem, and thy reward shall be my daughter, +and half my kingdom." Pírán, however, observed that he was too young to +be a fit match for the experience and valor of the Persian champion, and +would have dissuaded him from the unequal contest, but the choice was +his own, and he was consequently permitted by Afrásiyáb to put his +bravery to the test. Pílsam accordingly went forth and summoned Rustem +to the fight; but Gíw, hearing the call, accepted the challenge himself, +and had nearly been thrown from his horse by the superior activity of +his opponent. Ferámurz luckily saw him at the perilous moment, and +darting forward, with one stroke of his sword shattered Pílsam's javelin +to pieces, and then a new strife began. Pílsam and Ferámurz fought +together with desperation, till both were almost exhausted, and Rustem +himself was surprised to see the display of so much valor. Perceiving +the wearied state of the two warriors he pushed forward Rakush, and +called aloud to Pílsam:--"Am I not the person challenged?" and +immediately the Túránian chief proceeded to encounter him, striking with +all his might at the head of the champion; but though the sword was +broken by the blow, not a hair of his head was disordered. + + Then Rustem urging on his gallant steed, + Fixed his long javelin in the girdle band + Of his ambitious foe, and quick unhorsed him; + Then dragged him on towards Afrásiyáb, + And, scoffing, cast him at the despot's feet. + "Here comes the glorious conqueror," he said; + "Now give to him thy daughter and thy treasure, + Thy kingdom and thy soldiers; has he not + Done honour to thy country?--Is he not + A jewel in thy crown of sovereignty? + What arrogance inspired the fruitless hope! + Think of thy treachery to Saiáwush; + Thy savage cruelty, and never look + For aught but deadly hatred from mankind; + And in the field of fight defeat and ruin." + Thus scornfully he spoke, and not a man, + Though in the presence of Afrásiyáb, + Had soul to meet him; fear o'ercame them all + Monarch and warriors, for a time. At length + Shame was awakened, and the king appeared + In arms against the champion. Fiercely they + Hurled their sharp javelins--Rustem's struck the head + Of his opponent's horse, which floundering fell, + And overturned his rider. Anxious then + The champion sprang to seize the royal prize; + But Húmán rushed between, and saved his master, + Who vaulted on another horse and fled. + +Having thus rescued Afrásiyáb, the wary chief exercised all his cunning +and adroitness to escape himself, and at last succeeded. Rustem pursued +him, and the Túránian troops, who had followed the example of the king; +but though thousands were slain in the chase which continued for many +farsangs, no further advantage was obtained on that day. Next morning, +however, Rustem resumed his pursuit; and the enemy hearing of his +approach, retreated into Chinese Tartary, to secure, among other +advantages, the person of Kai-khosráu; leaving the kingdom of Túrán at +the mercy of the invader, who mounted the throne, and ruled there, it is +said, about seven years, with memorable severity, proscribing and +putting to death every person who mentioned the name of Afrásiyáb. In +the meantime he made splendid presents to Tús and Gúdarz, suitable to +their rank and services; and Zúára, in revenge for the monstrous outrage +committed upon Saiáwush, burnt and destroyed everything that came in his +way; his wrath being exasperated by the sight of the places in which the +young prince had resided, and recreated himself with hunting and other +sports of the field. The whole realm, in fact, was delivered over to +plunder and devastation; and every individual of the army was enriched +by the appropriation of public and private wealth. The companions of +Rustem, however, grew weary of residing in Túrán, and they strongly +represented to him the neglect which Kai-káús had suffered for so many +years, recommending his return to Persia, as being more honorable than +the exile they endured in an ungenial climate. Rustem's abandonment of +the kingdom was at length carried into effect; and he and his warriors +did not fail to take away with them all the immense property that +remained in jewels and gold; part of which was conveyed by the champion +to Zábul and Sístán, and a goodly proportion to the king of kings in +Persia. + + When to Afrásiyáb was known + The plunder of his realm and throne, + That the destroyer's reckless hand + With fire and sword had scathed the land, + Sorrow and anguish filled his soul, + And passion raged beyond control; + And thus he to his warriors said:-- + "At such a time, is valour dead? + The man who hears the mournful tale, + And is not by his country's bale + Urged on to vengeance, cannot be + Of woman born; accursed is he! + The time will come when I shall reap + The harvest of resentment deep; + And till arrives that fated hour, + Farewell to joy in hall or bower." + +Rustem, in taking revenge for the murder of Saiáwush, had not been +unmindful of Kai-khosráu, and had actually sent to the remote parts of +Tartary in quest of him. + +It is said that Gúdarz beheld in a dream the young prince, who pointed +out to him his actual residence, and intimated that of all the warriors +of Káús, Gíw was the only one destined to restore him to the world and +his birth-right. The old man immediately requested his son Gíw to go to +the place where the stranger would be found. Gíw readily complied, and +in his progress provided himself at every stage successively with a +guide, whom he afterwards slew to prevent discovery, and in this manner +he proceeded till he reached the boundary of Chín, enjoying no comfort +by day, or sleep by night. His only food was the flesh of the wild ass, +and his only covering the skin of the same animal. He went on traversing +mountain and forest, enduring every privation, and often did he +hesitate, often did he think of returning, but honor urged him forward +in spite of the trouble and impediments with which he was continually +assailed. Arriving in a desert one day, he happened to meet with several +persons, who upon being interrogated, said that they were sent by +Pírán-wísah in search of Kai-káús. Gíw kept his own secret, saying that +he was amusing himself with hunting the wild ass, but took care to +ascertain from them the direction in which they were going. During the +night the parties separated, and in the morning Gíw proceeded rapidly on +his route, and after some time discovered a youth sitting by the side of +a fountain, with a cup in his hand, whom he supposed to be Kai-khosráu. +The youth also spontaneously thought "This must be Gíw"; and when the +traveller approached him, and said, "I am sure thou art the son of +Saiáwush"; the youth observed, "I am equally sure that thou art Gíw the +son of Gúdarz." At this Gíw was amazed, and falling to his feet, asked +how, and from what circumstance, he recognized him. The youth replied +that he knew all the warriors of Káús; Rustem, and Kishwád, and Tús, and +Gúdarz, and the rest, from their portraits in his father's gallery, they +being deeply impressed on his mind. He then asked in what way Gíw had +discovered him to be Kai-khosráu, and Gíw answered, "Because I perceived +something kingly in thy countenance. But let me again examine thee!" The +youth, at this request, removed his garments, and Gíw beheld that mark +on his body which was the heritage of the race of Kai-kobád. Upon this +discovery he rejoiced, and congratulating himself and the young prince +on the success of his mission, related to him the purpose for which he +had come. Kai-khosráu was soon mounted on horseback, and Gíw accompanied +him respectfully on foot. They, in the first instance, pursued their way +towards the abode of Ferangís, his mother. The persons sent by +Pírán-wísah did not arrive at the place where Kai-khosráu had been kept +till long after Gíw and the prince departed; and then they were told +that a Persian horseman had come and carried off the youth, upon which +they immediately returned, and communicated to Pírán what had occurred. +Ferangís, in recovering her son, mentioned to Gíw, with the fondness of +a mother, the absolute necessity of going on without delay, and pointed +out to him the meadow in which some of Afrásiyáb's horses were to be met +with, particularly one called Behzád, which once belonged to Saiáwush, +and which her father had kept in good condition for his own riding. Gíw, +therefore, went to the meadow, and throwing his kamund, secured Behzád +and another horse; and all three being thus accommodated, hastily +proceeded on their journey towards Irán. + +Tidings of the escape of Kai-khosráu having reached Afrásiyáb, he +despatched Kulbád with three hundred horsemen after him; and so rapid +were his movements that he overtook the fugitives in the vicinity of +Bulgharia. Khosráu and his mother were asleep, but Gíw being awake, and +seeing an armed force evidently in pursuit of his party, boldly put on +his armor, mounted Behzád, and before the enemy came up, advanced to the +charge. He attacked the horsemen furiously with sword, and mace, for he +had heard the prophecy, which declared that Kai-khosráu was destined to +be the king of kings, and therefore he braved the direst peril with +confidence, and the certainty of success. It was this feeling which +enabled him to perform such a prodigy of valor, in putting Kulbád and +his three hundred horsemen to the rout. They all fled defeated, and +dispersed precipitately before him. After this surprising victory, he +returned to the halting place, and told Kai-khosráu what he had done. +The prince was disappointed at not having been awakened to participate +in the exploit, but Gíw said, "I did not wish to disturb thy sweet +slumbers unnecessarily. It was thy good fortune and prosperous star, +however, which made me triumph over the enemy." The three travellers +then resuming their journey: + + Through dreary track, and pathless waste, + And wood and wild, their way they traced. + +The return of the defeated Kulbád excited the greatest indignation in +the breast of Pírán. "What! three hundred soldiers to fly from the valor +of one man! Had Gíw possessed even the activity and might of Rustem and +Sám, such a shameful discomfiture could scarcely have happened." Saying +this, he ordered the whole force under his command to be got ready, and +set off himself to overtake and intercept the fugitives, who, fatigued +with the toilsome march, were only able to proceed one stage in the day. +Pírán, therefore, who travelled at the rate of one hundred leagues a +day, overtook them before they had passed through Bulgharia. Ferangís, +who saw the enemy's banner floating in the air, knew that it belonged to +Pírán, and instantly awoke the two young men from sleep. Upon this +occasion, Khosráu insisted on acting his part, instead of being left +ignominiously idle; but Gíw was still resolute and determined to +preserve him from all risk, at the peril of his own life. "Thou art +destined to be the king of the world; thou art yet young, and a novice, +and hast never known the toils of war; Heaven forbid that any misfortune +should befall thee: indeed, whilst I live, I will never suffer thee to +go into battle!" Khosráu then proposed to give him assistance; but Gíw +said he wanted no assistance, not even from Rustem; "for," he added, "in +art and strength we are equal, having frequently tried our skill +together." Rustem had given his daughter in marriage to Gíw, he himself +being married to Gíw's sister. "Be of good cheer," resumed he, "get upon +some high place, and witness the battle between us. + + "Fortune will still from Heaven descend, + The god of victory is my friend." + +As soon as he took the field, Pírán thus addressed him: "Thou hast once, +singly, defeated three hundred of my soldiers; thou shalt now see what +punishment awaits thee at my hands. + + "For should a warrior be a rock of steel, + A thousand ants, gathered on every side, + In time will make him but a heap of dust." + +In reply, Gíw said to Pírán, "I am the man who bound thy two women, and +sent them from China to Persia--Rustem and I are the same in battle. +Thou knowest, when he encountered a thousand horsemen, what was the +result, and what he accomplished! Thou wilt find me the same: is not a +lion enough to overthrow a thousand kids? + + "If but a man survive of thy proud host, + Brand me with coward--say I'm not a warrior. + Already have I triumphed o'er Kulbád, + And now I'll take thee prisoner, yea, alive! + And send thee to Káús--there thou wilt be + Slain to avenge the death of Saiáwush; + Túrán shall perish, and Afrásiyáb, + And every earthly hope extinguished quite." + Hearing this awful threat, Pírán turned pale + And shook with terror--trembling like a reed; + And saying: "Go, I will not fight with thee!" + But Gíw asked fiercely: "Why?" And on he rushed + Against the foe, who fled--but 'twas in vain. + The kamund round the old man's neck was thrown, + And he was taken captive. Then his troops + Showered their sharp arrows on triumphant Gíw, + To free their master, who was quickly brought + Before Kai-khosráu, and the kamund placed + Within his royal hands. This service done, + Gíw sped against the Tartars, and full soon + Defeated and dispersed them. + +On his return, Gíw expressed his astonishment that Pírán was still +alive; when Ferangís interposed, and weeping, said how much she had been +indebted to his interposition and the most active humanity on various +occasions, and particularly in saving herself and Kai-khosráu from the +wrath of Afrásiyáb after the death of Saiáwush. "If," said she, "after +so much generosity he has committed one fault, let it be forgiven. + + "Let not the man of many virtues die, + For being guilty of one trifling error. + Let not the friend who nobly saved my life, + And more, the dearer life of Kai-khosráu, + Suffer from us. O, he must never, never, + Feel the sharp pang of foul ingratitude, + From a true prince of the Kaiánian race." + +But Gíw paused, and said, "I have sworn to crimson the earth with his +blood, and I must not pass from my oath." Khosráu then suggested to him +to pierce the lobes of Pírán's ears, and drop the blood on the ground to +stain it, in order that he might not depart from his word; and this +humane fraud was accordingly committed. Khosráu further interceded; and +instead of being sent a captive to Káús, the good old man was set at +liberty. + +When the particulars of this event were described to Afrásiyáb by +Pírán-wísah, he was exceedingly sorrowful, and lamented deeply that +Kai-khosráu had so successfully effected his escape. But he had recourse +to a further expedient, and sent instructions to all the ferrymen of the +Jihún, with a minute description of the three travellers, to prevent +their passing that river, announcing at the same time that he himself +was in pursuit of them. Not a moment was lost in preparing his army for +the march, and he moved forward with the utmost expedition, night and +day. At the period when Gíw arrived on the banks of the Jihún, the +stream was very rapid and formidable, and he requested the ferrymen to +produce their certificates to show themselves equal to their duty. They +pretended that their certificates were lost, but demanded for their fare +the black horse upon which Gíw rode. Gíw replied, that he could not part +with his favorite horse; and they rejoined, "Then give us the damsel who +accompanies you." Gíw answered, and said, "This is not a damsel, but the +mother of that youth!"--"Then," observed they, "give us the youth's +crown." But Gíw told them that he could not comply with their demand; +yet he was ready to reward them with money to any extent. The +pertinacious ferrymen, who were not anxious for money, then demanded his +armor, and this was also refused; and such was their independence or +their effrontery, that they replied, "If not one of these four things +you are disposed to grant, cross the river as best you may." Gíw +whispered to Kai-khosráu, and told him that there was no time for delay. +"When Kavah, the blacksmith," said he, "rescued thy great ancestor, +Feridún, he passed the stream in his armor without impediment; and why +should we, in a cause of equal glory, hesitate for a moment?" Under the +inspiring influence of an auspicious omen, and confiding in the +protection of the Almighty, Kai-khosráu at once impelled his foaming +horse into the river; his mother, Ferangís, followed with equal +intrepidity, and then Gíw; and notwithstanding the perilous passage, +they all successfully overcame the boiling surge, and landed in safety, +to the utter amazement of the ferrymen, who of course had expected they +would be drowned, + +It so happened that at the moment they touched the shore, Afrásiyáb with +his army arrived, and had the mortification to see the fugitives on the +other bank, beyond his reach. His wonder was equal to his +disappointment. + + "What spirits must they have to brave + The terrors of that boiling wave-- + With steed and harness, riding o'er + The billows to the further shore." + + It was a cheering sight, they say, + To see how well they kept their way, + How Ferangís impelled her horse + Across that awful torrent's course, + Guiding him with heroic hand, + To reach unhurt the friendly strand. + +Afrásiyáb continued for some time mute with astonishment and vexation, +and when he recovered, ordered the ferrymen to get ready their boats to +pass him over the river; but Húmán dissuaded him from that measure, +saying that they could only convey a few troops, and they would +doubtless be received by a large force of the enemy on the other side. +At these words, Afrásiyáb seemed to devour his own blood with grief and +indignation, and immediately retracing his steps, returned to Túrán. + +As soon as Gíw entered within the boundary of the Persian empire, he +poured out thanksgivings to God for his protection, and sent +intelligence to Káús of the safe arrival of the party in his dominions. +The king rejoiced exceedingly, and appointed an honorary deputation +under the direction of Gúdarz, to meet the young prince on the road. On +first seeing him, the king moved forward to receive him; and weeping +affectionately, kissed his eyes and face, and had a throne prepared for +him exactly like his own, upon which he seated him; and calling the +nobles and warriors of the land together, commanded them to obey him. +All readily promised their allegiance, excepting Tús, who left the court +in disgust, and repairing forthwith to the house of Fríburz, one of the +sons of Káús, told him that he would only pay homage and obedience to +him, and not to the infant whom Gíw had just brought out of a desert. +Next day the great men and leaders were again assembled to declare +publicly by an official act their fealty to Kai-khosráu, and Tús was +also invited to the banquet, which was held on the occasion, but he +refused to go. Gíw was deputed to repeat the invitation; and he then +said, "I shall pay homage to Fríburz, as the heir to the throne, and to +no other. + + "For is he not the son of Kai-káús, + And worthy of the regal crown and throne? + I want not any of the race of Poshang-- + None of the proud Túránian dynasty-- + Fruitless has been thy peril, Gíw, to bring + A silly child among us, to defraud + The rightful prince of his inheritance!" + +Gíw, in reply, vindicated the character and attainments of Khosráu, but +Tús was not to be appeased. He therefore returned to his father and +communicated to him what had occurred. Gúdarz was roused to great wrath +by this resistance to the will of the king, and at once took twelve +thousand men and his seventy-eight kinsmen, together with Gíw, and +proceeded to support his cause by force of arms. Tús, apprised of his +intentions, prepared to meet him, but was reluctant to commit himself by +engaging in a civil war, and said, internally:-- + + "If I unsheath the sword of strife, + Numbers on either side will fall, + I would not sacrifice the life + Of one who owns my sovereign's thrall. + + "My country would abhor the deed, + And may I never see the hour + When Persia's sons are doomed to bleed, + But when opposed to foreign power. + + "The cause must be both good and true, + And if their blood in war must flow, + Will it not seem of brighter hue, + When shed to crush the Tartar foe?" + +Possessing these sentiments, Tús sent an envoy to Gúdarz, suggesting the +suspension of any hostile proceedings until information on the subject +had been first communicated to the king. Káús was extremely displeased +with Gúdarz for his precipitancy and folly, and directed both him and +Tús to repair immediately to court. Tús there said frankly, "I now owe +honor and allegiance to king Káús; but should he happen to lay aside the +throne and the diadem, my obedience and loyalty will be due to Fríburz +his heir, and not to a stranger." To this, Gúdarz replied, "Saiáwush was +the eldest son of the king, and unjustly murdered, and therefore it +becomes his majesty to appease and rejoice the soul of the deceased, by +putting Kai-khosráu in his place. Kai-khosráu, like Feridún, is worthy +of empire; all the nobles of the land are of this opinion, excepting +thyself, which must arise from ignorance and vanity. + + "From Nauder certainly thou are descended, + Not from a stranger, not from foreign loins; + But though thy ancestor was wise and mighty + Art thou of equal merit? No, not thou! + Regarding Khosráu, thou hast neither shown + Reason nor sense--but most surprising folly!" + To this contemptuous speech, Tús thus replied: + "Ungenerous warrior! wherefore thus employ + Such scornful words to me? Who art thou, pray! + Who, but the low descendant of a blacksmith? + No Khosráu claims thee for his son, no chief + Of noble blood; whilst I can truly boast + Kindred to princes of the highest worth, + And merit not to be obscured by thee!" + To him then Gúdarz: "Hear me for this once, + Then shut thy ears for ever. Need I blush + To be the kinsman of the glorious Kavah? + It is my humour to be proud of him. + Although he was a blacksmith--that same man, + Who, when the world could still boast of valour, + Tore up the name-roll of the fiend Zohák, + And gave the Persians freedom from the fangs + Of the devouring serpents. He it was, + Who raised the banner, and proclaimed aloud, + Freedom for Persia! Need I blush for him? + To him the empire owes its greatest blessing, + The prosperous rule of virtuous Feridún." + Tús wrathfully rejoined: "Old man! thy arrow + May pierce an anvil--mine can pierce the heart + Of the Káf mountain! If thy mace can break + A rock asunder--mine can strike the sun!" + +The anger of the two heroes beginning to exceed all proper bounds, Káús +commanded silence; when Gúdarz came forward, and asked permission to say +one word more: "Call Khosráu and Fríburz before thee, and decide +impartially between them which is the most worthy of sovereignty--let +the wisest and the bravest only be thy successor to the throne of +Persia." Káús replied: + + "The father has no choice among his children, + He loves them all alike--his only care + Is to prevent disunion; to preserve + Brotherly kindness and respect among them." + +After a pause, he requested the attendance of Fríburz and Khosráu, and +told them that there was a demon-fortress in the vicinity of his +dominions called Bahmen, from which fire was continually issuing. "Go, +each of you," said he, "against this fortress, supported by an army with +which you shall each be equally provided, and the conqueror shall be the +sovereign of Persia." Fríburz was not sorry to hear of this probationary +scheme, and only solicited to be sent first on the expedition. He and +Tús looked upon the task as perfectly easy, and promised to be back +triumphant in a short time. + + But when the army reached that awful fort, + The ground seemed all in flames on every side; + One universal fire raged round and round, + And the hot wind was like the scorching breath + Which issues from red furnaces, where spirits + Infernal dwell. Full many a warrior brave, + And many a soldier perished in that heat, + Consumed to ashes. Nearer to the fort + Advancing, they beheld it in mid-air, + But not a living thing--nor gate, nor door; + Yet they remained one week, hoping to find + Some hidden inlet, suffering cruel loss + Hour after hour--but none could they descry. + At length, despairing, they returned, worn out, + Scorched, and half-dead with watching, care, and toil. + And thus Fríburz and Tús, discomfited + And sad, appeared before the Persian king. + + Then was it Khosráu's turn, and him Káús + Despatched with Gíw, and Gúdarz, and the troops + Appointed for that enterprise, and blessed them. + When the young prince approached the destined scene + Of his exploit, he saw the blazing fort + Reddening the sky and earth, and well he knew + This was the work of sorcery, the spell + Of demon-spirits. In a heavenly dream, + He had been taught how to destroy the charms + Of fell magicians, and defy their power, + Though by the devil, the devil himself, sustained, + He wrote the name of God, and piously + Bound it upon his javelin's point, and pressed + Fearlessly forward, showing it on high; + And Gíw displayed it on the magic walls + Of that proud fortress--breathing forth a prayer + Craving the aid of the Almighty arm; + When suddenly the red fires died away, + And all the world was darkness, Khosráu's troops + Following the orders of their prince, then shot + Thick clouds of arrows from ten thousand bows, + In the direction of the enchanted tower. + The arrows fell like rain, and quickly slew + A host of demons--presently bright light + Dispelled the gloom, and as the mist rolled off + In sulphury circles, the surviving fiends + Were seen in rapid flight; the fortress, too, + Distinctly shone, and its prodigious gate, + Through which the conquerors passed. Great wealth they found, + And having sacked the place, Khosráu erected + A lofty temple, to commemorate + His name and victory there, then back returned + Triumphantly to gladden king Káús, + Whose heart expanded at the joyous news. + +The result of Kai-khosráu's expedition against the enchanted castle, +compared with that of Fríburz, was sufficient of itself to establish the +former in the king's estimation, and accordingly it was announced to the +princes and nobles and warriors of the land, that he should succeed to +the throne, and be crowned on a fortunate day. A short time afterwards +the coronation took place with great pomp and splendor; and Khosráu +conducted himself towards men of every rank and station with such +perfect kindness and benevolence, that he gained the affections of all +and never failed daily to pay a visit to his grandfather Káús, and to +familiarize himself with the affairs of the kingdom which he was +destined to govern. + + Justice he spread with equal hand, + Rooting oppression from the land; + And every desert, wood, and wild, + With early cultivation smiled; + And every plain, with verdure clad, + And every Persian heart was glad. + + + +KAI-KHOSRÁU + +The tidings of Khosráu's accession to the throne were received at Sístán +by Zál and Rustem with heartfelt pleasure, and they forthwith hastened +to court with rich presents, to pay him their homage, and congratulate +him on the occasion of his elevation. The heroes were met on the road +with suitable honors, and Khosráu embracing Rustem affectionately, lost +no time in asking for his assistance in taking vengeance for the death +of Saiáwush. The request was no sooner made than granted, and the +champion having delivered his presents, then proceeded with his father +Zál to wait upon Káús, who prepared a royal banquet, and entertained +Khosráu and them in the most sumptuous manner. It was there agreed to +march a large army against Afrásiyáb; and all the warriors zealously +came forward with their best services, except Zál, who on account of his +age requested to remain tranquilly in his own province. Khosráu said to +Káús: + + "The throne can yield no happiness for me, + Nor can I sleep the sleep of health and joy + Till I have been revenged on that destroyer. + The tyrant of Túrán; to please the spirit + Of my poor butchered father." + +Káús, on delivering over to him the imperial army, made him acquainted +with the character and merits of every individual of importance. He +appointed Fríburz, and a hundred warriors, who were the prince's friends +and relatives, to situations of trust and command, and Tús was among +them. Gúdarz and his seventy-eight sons and grandsons were placed on the +right, and Gustahem, the brother of Tús, with an immense levy on the +left. There were also close to Khosráu's person, in the centre of the +hosts, thirty-three warriors of the race of Poshang, and a separate +guard under Byzun. + +In their progress Khosráu said to Fríburz and Tús, "Ferúd, who is my +brother, has built a strong fort in Bokhára, called Kulláb, which stands +on the way to the enemy, and there he resides with his mother, +Gúlshaher. Let him not be molested, for he is also the son of Saiáwush, +but pass on one side of his possessions." Fríburz did pass on one side +as requested; but Tús, not liking to proceed by the way of the desert, +and preferring a cultivated and pleasant country, went directly on +through the places which led to the very fort in question. When Ferúd +was informed of the approach of Tús with an armed force, he naturally +concluded that he was coming to fight him, and consequently determined +to oppose his progress. Tús, however, sent Ríú, his son-in-law, to +explain to Ferúd that he had no quarrel or business with him, and only +wished to pass peaceably through his province; but Ferúd thought this +was merely an idle pretext, and proceeding to hostilities, Ríú was +killed by him in the conflict that ensued. Tús, upon being informed of +this result, drew up his army, and besieged the fort into which Ferúd +had precipitately retired. When Ferúd, however, found that Tús himself +was in the field, he sallied forth from his fastness, and assailed him +with his bow and arrows. One of the darts struck and killed the horse of +Tús, and tumbled his rider to the ground. Upon this occurrence Gíw +rushed forward in the hopes of capturing the prince; but it so happened +that he was unhorsed in the same way. Byzun, the son of Gíw, seeing with +great indignation this signal overthrow, wished to be revenged on the +victor; and though his father endeavored to restrain him, nothing could +control his wrath. He sprung speedily forward to fulfil his menace, but +by the bravery and expertness of Ferúd, his horse was killed, and he too +was thrown headlong from his saddle. Unsubdued, however, he rose upon +his feet, and invited his antagonist to single combat. In consequence of +this challenge, they fought a short time with spears till Ferúd deemed +it advisable to retire into his fort, from the lofty walls of which he +cast down so many stones, that Byzun was desperately wounded, and +compelled to leave the place. When he informed Tús of the misfortune +which had befallen him, that warrior vowed that on the following day not +a man should remain alive in the fort. The mother of Ferúd, who was the +daughter of Wísah, had at this period a dream which informed her that +the fortress had taken fire, and that the whole of the inhabitants had +been consumed to death. This dream she communicated to Ferúd, who said +in reply:-- + + "Mother! I have no dread of death; + What is there in this vital breath? + My sire was wounded, and he died; + And fate may lay me by his side! + Was ever man immortal?--never! + We cannot, mother, live for ever. + Mine be the task in life to claim + In war a bright and spotless name. + What boots it to be pale with fear, + And dread each grief that waits us here? + Protected by the power divine, + Our lot is written--why repine?" + +Tús, according to his threat, attacked the fort, and burst open the +gates. Ferúd defended himself with great valor against Byzun; and whilst +they were engaged in deadly battle, Báhrám, the hero, sprang up from his +ambuscade, and striking furiously upon the head of Ferúd, killed that +unfortunate youth on the spot. The mother, the beautiful Gúlshaher, +seeing what had befallen her son, rushed out of the fort in a state of +frenzy, and flying to him, clasped him in her arms in an agony of grief. +Unable to survive his loss, she plunged a dagger in her own breast, and +died at his feet. The Persians then burst open the gates, and plundered +the city. Báhrám, when he saw what had been done, reproached Tús with +being the cause of this melancholy tragedy, and asked him what account +he would give of his conduct to Kai-khosráu. Tús was extremely +concerned, and remaining three days at that place, erected a lofty +monument to the memory of the unfortunate youth, and scented it with +musk and camphor. He then pushed forward his army to attack another +fort. That fort gave way, the commandant being killed in the attack; and +he then hastened on toward Afrásiyáb, who had ordered Nizád with thirty +thousand horsemen to meet him. Byzun distinguished himself in the +contest which followed, but would have fallen into the hands of the +enemy if he had not been rescued by his men, and conveyed from the field +of battle. Afrásiyáb pushed forward another force of forty thousand +horsemen under Pírán-wísah, who suffered considerable loss in an +engagement with Gíw; and in consequence fell back for the purpose of +retrieving himself by a shubkhún, or night attack. The resolution proved +to be a good one; for when night came on, the Persians were found off +their guard, many of them being intoxicated, and the havoc and +destruction committed among them by the Tartars was dreadful. The +survivors were in a miserable state of despondency, but it was not till +morning dawned that Tús beheld the full extent of his defeat and the +ruin that surrounded him. When Kai-khosráu heard of this heavy reverse, +he wrote to Fríburz, saying, "I warned Tús not to proceed by the way of +Kulláb, because my brother and his mother dwelt in that place, and their +residence ought to have been kept sacred. He has not only despised my +orders, but he has cruelly occasioned the untimely death of both. Let +him be bound, and sent to me a prisoner, and do thou assume the command +of the army." Fríburz accordingly placed Tús in confinement, and sent +him to Khosráu, who received and treated him with reproaches and wrath, +and consigned him to a dungeon. He then wrote to Pírán, reproaching him +for resorting to a night attack so unworthy of a brave man, and +challenging him to resume the battle with him. Pírán said that he would +meet him after the lapse of a month, and at the expiration of that +period both armies were opposed to each other. The contest commenced +with arrows, then swords, and then with javelins; and Gíw and Byzun were +the foremost in bearing down the warriors of the enemy, who suffered so +severely that they turned aside to attack Fríburz, against whom they +hoped to be more successful. The assault which they made was +overwhelming, and vast numbers were slain, so that Fríburz, finding +himself driven to extremity, was obliged to shelter himself and his +remaining troops on the skirts of a mountain. In the meantime Gúdarz and +Gíw determined to keep their ground or perish, and sent Byzun to Fríburz +to desire him to join them, or if that was impracticable, to save the +imperial banner by despatching it to their care. To this message, +Fríburz replied: "The traitors are triumphant over me on every side, and +I cannot go, nor will I give up the imperial banner, but tell Gúdarz to +come to my aid." Upon receiving this answer, Byzun struck the +standard-bearer dead, and snatching up the Derafsh Gávahní, conveyed it +to Gúdarz, who, raising it on high, directed his troops against the +enemy; and so impetuous was the charge, that the carnage on both sides +was prodigious. Only eight of the sons of Gúdarz remained alive, seventy +of his kindred having been slain on that day, and many of the family of +Káús were also killed. Nor did the relations of Afrásiyáb and Pírán +suffer in a less degree, nine hundred of them, warriors and cavaliers, +were sent out of the world; yet victory remained with the Túránians. + +When Afrásiyáb was informed of the result of this battle, he sent +presents and honorary dresses to his officers, saying, "We must not be +contented with this triumph; you have yet to obscure the martial glory +of Rustem and Khosráu." Pírán replied, "No doubt that object will be +accomplished with equal facility." + +After the defeat of the Persian army, Fríburz retired under the cover of +night, and at length arrived at the court of Khosráu, who was afflicted +with the deepest sorrow, both on account of his loss in battle and the +death of his brother Ferúd. Rustem was now as usual applied to for the +purpose of consoling the king, and extricating the empire from its +present misfortunes. Khosráu was induced to liberate Tús from his +confinement, and requested Rustem to head the army against Pírán, but +Tús offered his services, and the champion observed, "He is fully +competent to oppose the arms of Pírán; but if Afrásiyáb takes the field, +I will myself instantly follow to the war." Khosráu accordingly deputed +Tús and Gúdarz with a large army, and the two hostile powers were soon +placed in opposition to each other. It is said that they were engaged +seven days and nights, and that on the eighth Húmán came forward, and +challenged several warriors to fight singly, all of whom he successively +slew. He then called upon Tús, but Gúdarz not permitting him to accept +the challenge, sent Gíw in his stead. The combatants met; and after +being wounded and exhausted by their struggles for mastery, each +returned to his own post. The armies again engaged with arrows, and +again the carnage was great, but the battle remained undecided. + +Pírán had now recourse to supernatural agency, and sent Barú, a renowned +magician, perfect in his art, upon the neighboring mountains, to involve +them in darkness, and produce by his conjuration tempestuous showers of +snow and hail. He ordered him to direct all their intense severity +against the enemy, and to avoid giving any annoyance to the Túránian +army. Accordingly when Húmán and Pírán-wísah made their attack, they had +the co-operation of the elements, and the consequence was a desperate +overthrow of the Persian army. + + So dreadful was the carnage, that the plain + Was crimsoned with the blood of warriors slain. + +In this extremity, Tús and Gúdarz piously put up a prayer to God, +earnestly soliciting protection from the horrors with which they were +surrounded. + + O Thou! the clement, the compassionate, + We are thy servants, succor our distress, + And save us from the sorcery that now + Yields triumph to the foe. In thee alone + We place our trust; graciously hear our prayer! + +Scarcely had this petition been uttered, when a mysterious person +appeared to Rehám from the invisible world, and pointed to the mountain +from whence the tempest descended. Rehám immediately attended to the +sign, and galloped forward to the mountain, where he discovered the +magician upon its summit, deeply engaged in incantations and witchcraft. +Forthwith he drew his sword and cut off this wizard's arms. Suddenly a +whirlwind arose, which dissipated the utter darkness that prevailed; and +then nothing remained of the preternatural gloom, not a particle of the +hail or snow was to be seen: Rehám, however, brought him down from the +mountain and after presenting him before Tús, put an end to his wicked +existence. The armies were now on a more equal footing: they beheld more +clearly the ravages that had been committed by each, and each had great +need of rest. They accordingly retired till the following day, and then +again opposed each other with renewed vigor and animosity. But fortune +would not smile on the exertions of the Persian hosts, they being +obliged to fall back upon the mountain Hamáwun, and in the fortress +situated there Tús deposited all his sick and wounded, continuing +himself in advance to ensure their protection. Pírán seeing this, +ordered his troops to besiege the place where Tús had posted himself. +This was objected to by Húmán, but Pírán was resolved upon the measure, +and had several conflicts with the enemy without obtaining any advantage +over them. In the mountain-fortress there happened to be wells of water +and abundance of grain and provisions, so that the Persians were in no +danger of being reduced by starvation. Khosráu, however, being informed +of their situation, sent Rustem, accompanied by Fríburz, to their +assistance, and they were both welcomed, and received with rejoicing, +and cordial satisfaction. The fortress gates were thrown open, and +Rustem was presently seen seated upon a throne in the public hall, +deliberating on the state of affairs, surrounded by the most +distinguished leaders of the army. + +In the meanwhile Pírán-wísah had written to Afrásiyáb, informing him +that he had reduced the Persian army to great distress, had forced them +to take refuge in a mountain fort, and requested a further reinforcement +to complete the victory, and make them all prisoners. Afrásiyáb in +consequence despatched three illustrious confederates from different +regions. There was Shinkul of Sugsar, the Khakán of Chín, whose crown +was the starry heavens, and Kámús of Kushán, a hero of high renown and +wondrous in every deed. + + For when he frowned, the air grew freezing cold; + And when he smiled, the genial spring showered down + Roses and hyacinths, and all was brightness! + +Pírán went first to pay a visit to Kámús, to whom he, almost trembling, +described the amazing strength and courage of Rustem: but Kámús was too +powerful to express alarm; on the contrary, he said: + + "Is praise like this to Rustem due? + And what, if all thou say'st be true? + Are his large limbs of iron made? + Will they resist my trenchant blade? + His head may now his shoulders grace, + But will it long retain its place? + Let me but meet him in the fight, + And thou shalt see Kamus's might!" + +Pírán's spirits rose at this bold speech, and encouraged by its effects, +he repaired to the Khakán of Chín, with whom he settled the necessary +arrangements for commencing battle on the following day. Early in the +morning the different armies under Kámús, the Khakán, and Pírán-wísah, +were drawn out, and Rustem was also prepared with the troops under his +command for the impending conflict. He saw that the force arrayed +against him was prodigious, and most tremendous in aspect; and offering +a prayer to the Creator, he plunged into the battle. + + 'Twas at mid-day the strife began, + With steed to steed and man to man; + The clouds of dust which rolled on high, + Threw darkness o'er the earth and sky. + Each soldier on the other rushed, + And every blade with crimson blushed; + And valiant hearts were trod upon, + Like sand beneath the horse's feet, + And when the warrior's life was gone, + His mail became his winding sheet. + +The first leader who advanced conspicuously from among the Tartar army +was Ushkabús, against whom Rehám boldly opposed himself; but after a +short conflict, in which he had some difficulty in defending his life +from the assaults of his antagonist, he thought it prudent to retire. +When Ushkabús saw this he turned round with the intention of rejoining +his own troops; but Rustem having witnessed the triumph over his friend, +sallied forth on foot, taking up his bow, and placing a few arrows in +his girdle, and asked him whither he was going. + + Astonished, Ushkabús cried, "Who art thou? + What kindred hast thou to lament thy fall?" + Rustem replied:--"Why madly seek to know + That which can never yield thee benefit? + My name is death to thee, thy hour is come!" + "Indeed! and thou on foot, mid mounted warriors, + To talk so bravely!"--"Yes," the champion said; + "And hast thou never heard of men on foot, + Who conquered horsemen? I am sent by Tús, + To take for him the horse of Ushkabús." + "What! and unarmed?" inquired the Tartar chief; + "No!" cried the champion, "Mark, my bow and arrow! + Mark, too, with what effect they may be used!" + So saying, Rustem drew the string, and straight + The arrow flew, and faithful to its aim, + Struck dead the foeman's horse. This done, he laughed, + But Ushkabús was wroth, and showered upon + His bold antagonist his quivered store-- + Then Rustem raised his bow, with eager eye + Choosing a dart, and placed it on the string, + A thong of elk-skin; to his ear he drew + The feathered notch, and when the point had touched + The other hand, the bended horn recoiled, + And twang the arrow sped, piercing the breast + Of Ushkabús, who fell a lifeless corse, + As if he never had been born! Erect, + And firm, the champion stood upon the plain, + Towering like mount Alberz, immovable, + The gaze and wonder of the adverse host! + +When Rustem, still unknown to the Túránian forces, returned to his own +army, the Tartars carried away the body of Ushkabús, and took it to the +Khakán of Chin, who ordered the arrow to be drawn out before him; and +when he and Kámús saw how deeply it had penetrated, and that the +feathered end was wet with blood, they were amazed at the immense power +which had driven it from the bow; they had never witnessed or heard of +anything so astonishing. The fight was, in consequence, suspended till +the following day. The Khakán of Chin then inquired who was disposed or +ready to be revenged on the enemy for the death of Ushkabús, when Kámús +advanced, and, soliciting permission, urged forward his horse to the +middle of the plain. He then called aloud for Rustem, but a Kábul hero, +named Alwund, a pupil of Rustem's, asked his master's permission to +oppose the challenger, which being granted, he rushed headlong to the +combat. Luckless however were his efforts, for he was soon overthrown +and slain, and then Rustem appeared in arms before the conqueror, who +hearing his voice, cried: "Why this arrogance and clamor! I am not like +Ushkabús, a trembler in thy presence." Rustem replied: + + "When the lion sees his prey, + Sees the elk-deer cross his way, + Roars he not? The very ground + Trembles at the dreadful sound. + And art thou from terror free, + When opposed in fight to me?" + +Kámús now examined him with a stern eye, and was satisfied that he had +to contend against a powerful warrior: he therefore with the utmost +alacrity threw his kamund, which Rustem avoided, but it fell over the +head of his horse Rakush. Anxious to extricate himself from this +dilemma, Rustem dexterously caught hold of one end of the kamund, whilst +Kámús dragged and strained at the other; and so much strength was +applied that the line broke in the middle, and Kámús in consequence +tumbled backwards to the ground. The boaster had almost succeeded in +remounting his horse, when he was secured round the neck by Rustem's own +kamund, and conveyed a prisoner to the Persian army, where he was put to +death! + +The fate of Kámús produced a deep sensation among the Túránians, and +Pírán-wísah, partaking of the general alarm, and thinking it impossible +to resist the power of Rustem, proposed to retire from the contest, but +the Khakán of Chín was of a different opinion, and offered himself to +remedy the evil which threatened them all. Moreover the warrior, +Chingush, volunteered to fight with Rustem; and having obtained the +Khakán's permission, he took the field, and boldly challenged the +champion. Rustem received the foe with a smiling countenance, and the +struggle began with arrows. After a smart attack on both sides, Chingush +thought it prudent to fly from the overwhelming force of Rustem, who, +however, steadily pursued him, and adroitly seizing the horse by the +tail, hurled him from his saddle. + + He grasped the charger's flowing tail, + And all were struck with terror pale, + To see a sight so strange; the foe, + Dismounted by one desperate blow; + The captive asked for life in vain, + His recreant blood bedewed the plain. + His head was from his shoulders wrung, + His body to the vultures flung. + +Rustem, after this exploit, invited some other hero to single combat; +but at the moment not one replied to his challenge. At last Húmán came +forward, not however to fight, but to remonstrate, and make an effort to +put an end to the war which threatened total destruction to his country. +"Why such bitter enmity? why such a whirlwind of resentment?" said he; +"to this I ascribe the calamities under which we suffer; but is there no +way by which this sanguinary career of vengeance can be checked or +moderated?" Rustem, in answer, enumerated the aggressions and the crimes +of Afrásiyáb, and especially dwelt on the atrocious murder of Saiáwush, +which he declared could never be pardoned. Húmán wished to know his +name; but Rustem refused to tell him, and requested Pírán-wísah might be +sent to him, to whom he would communicate his thoughts, and the secrets +of his heart freely. Húmán accordingly returned, and informed Pírán of +the champion's wishes. + + "This must be Rustem, stronger than the pard, + The lion, or the Egyptian crocodile, + Or fell Iblís; dreams never painted hero + Half so tremendous on the battle plain." + +The old man said to him: + + "If this be Rustem, then the time has come, + Dreaded so long--for what but fire and sword, + Can now await us? Every town laid waste, + Soldier and peasant, husband, wife, and child, + Sharing the miseries of a ravaged land!" + +With tears in his eyes and a heavy heart, Pírán repaired to the Khakán, +who, after some discussion, permitted him in these terms to go and +confer with Rustem. + + "Depart then speedful on thy embassy, + And if he seeks for peace, adjust the terms, + And presents to be sent us. If he talks + Of war and vengeance, and is clothed in mail, + No sign of peace, why we must trust in Heaven + For strength to crush his hopes of victory. + He is not formed of iron, nor of brass, + But flesh and blood, with human nerves and hair, + He does not in the battle tread the clouds, + Nor can he vanish, like the demon race-- + Then why this sorrow, why these marks of grief? + He is not stronger than an elephant; + Not he, but I will show him what it is + To fight or gambol with an elephant! + Besides, for every man his army boasts, + We have three hundred--wherefore then be sad?" + +Notwithstanding these expressions of confidence, Pírán's heart was full +of alarm and terror; but he hastened to the Persian camp, and made +himself known to the champion of the host, who frankly said, after he +had heard Pírán's name, "I am Rustem of Zábul, armed as thou seest for +battle!" Upon which Pírán respectfully dismounted, and paid the usual +homage to his illustrious rank and distinction. Rustem said to him, "I +bring thee the blessings of Kai-khosráu and Ferangís, his mother, who +nightly see thy face in their dreams." + + "Blessings from me, upon that royal youth!" + Exclaimed the good old man. "Blessings on her, + The daughter of Afrásiyáb, his mother, + Who saved my life--and blessings upon thee, + Thou matchless hero! Thou hast come for vengeance, + In the dear name of gallant Saiáwush, + Of Saiáwush, the husband of my child, + (The beautiful Gúlshaher), of him who loved me + As I had been his father. His brave son, + Ferúd, was slaughtered, and his mother too, + And Khosráu was his brother, now the king, + By whom he fell, or if not by his sword, + Whose was the guilty hand? Has punishment + Been meted to the offender? I protected, + In mine own house, the princess Ferangís; + And when her son was born, Kai-khosráu, still + I, at the risk of my existence, kept them + Safe from the fury of Afrásiyáb, + Who would have sacrificed the child, or both! + And night and day I watched them, till the hour + When they escaped and crossed the boundary-stream. + Enough of this! Now let us speak of peace, + Since the confederates in this mighty war + Are guiltless of the blood of Saiáwush!" + +Rustem, in answer to Pírán, observed, that in negotiating the terms of +pacification, several important points were to be considered, and +several indispensable matters to be attended to. No peace could be made +unless the principal actors in the bloody tragedy of Saiáwush's death +were first given up, particularly Gersíwaz; vast sums of money were also +required to be presented to the king of kings; and, moreover, Rustem +said he would disdain making peace at all, but that it enabled Pírán to +do service to Kai-khosráu. Pírán saw the difficulty of acceding to these +demands, but he speedily laid them before the Khakán, who consulted his +confederates on the subject, and after due consideration, their pride +and shame resisted the overtures, which they thought ignominious. +Shinkul, a king of Ind, was a violent opposer of the terms, and declared +against peace on any such conditions. Several other warriors expressed +their readiness to contend against Rustem, and they flattered themselves +that by a rapid succession of attacks, one after the other, they would +easily overpower him. The Khakán was pleased with this conceit and +permitted Shinkul to begin the struggle. Accordingly he entered the +plain, and summoned Rustem to renew the fight. The champion came and +struck him with a spear, which, penetrating his breast, threw him off +his horse to the ground. The dagger was already raised to finish his +career, but he sprang on his feet, and quickly ran away to tell his +misfortune to the Khakán of Chín. + + And thus he cried, in look forlorn, + "This foe is not of mortal born; + A furious elephant in fight, + A very mountain to the sight; + No warrior of the human race, + That ever wielded spear or mace, + Alone this dragon could withstand, + Or live beneath his conquering brand!" + +The Khakán reminded him how different were his feelings and sentiments +in the morning, and having asked him what he now proposed to do, he said +that without a considerable force it would be useless to return to the +field; five thousand men were therefore assigned to him, and with them +he proceeded to engage the champion. Rustem had also been joined by his +valiant companions, and a general battle ensued. The heavens were +obscured by the dust which ascended from the tramp of the horses, and +the plain was crimsoned with the blood of the slain. In the midst of the +contest, Sáwa, a relation of Kámús, burst forward and sought to be +revenged on Rustem for the fate of his friend. The champion raised his +battle-axe, and giving Rakush the rein, with one blow of his mace +removed him to the other world. No sooner had he killed this assailant +than he was attacked by another of the kindred of Kámús, named Kahár, +whom he also slew, and thus humbled the pride of the Kushanians. Elated +with his success, and having further displayed his valor among the +enemy's troops, he vowed that he would now encounter the Khakán himself, +and despoil him of all his pomp and treasure. For this purpose he +selected a thousand horsemen, and thus supported, approached the +kulub-gah, or headquarters of the monarch of Chín. The clamor of the +cavalry, and the clash of spears and swords, resounded afar. The air +became as dark as the visage of an Ethiopian, and the field was covered +with several heads, broken armor, and the bodies of the slain. Amidst +the conflict Rustem called aloud to the Khakán:-- + + "Surrender to my arms those elephants, + That ivory throne, that crown, and chain of gold; + Fit trophies for Kai-khosráu, Persia's king; + For what hast thou to do with diadem + And sovereign power! My noose shall soon secure thee, + And I will send thee living to his presence; + Since, looking on my valour and my strength, + Life is enough to grant thee. If thou wilt not + Resign thy crown and throne--thy doom is sealed." + +The Khakán, filled with indignation at these haughty words, cautioned +Rustem to parry off his own danger, and then commanded his troops to +assail the enemy with a shower of arrows. The attack was so tremendous +and terrifying, even beyond the picturings of a dream, that Gúdarz was +alarmed for the safety of Rustem, and sent Rehám and Gíw to his aid. +Rustem said to Rehám:--"I fear that my horse Rakush is becoming weary of +exertion, in which case what shall I do in this conflict with the enemy? +I must attack on foot the Khakán of Chín, though he has an army here as +countless as legions of ants or locusts; but if Heaven continues my +friend, I shall stretch many of them in the dust, and take many +prisoners. The captives I will send to Khosráu, and all the spoils of +Chín." Saying this he pushed forward, roaring like a tiger, towards the +Khakán, and exclaiming with a stern voice:--"The Turks are allied to the +devil, and the wicked are always unprosperous. Thou hast not yet fallen +in with Rustem, or thy brain would have been bewildered. He is a +never-dying dragon, always seeking the strongest in battle. But thou +hast not yet had enough of even me!" He then drew his kamund from the +saddle-strap, and praying to God to grant him victory over his foes, +urged on Rakush, and wherever he threw the noose, his aim was +successful. Great was the slaughter, and the Khakán, seeing from the +back of his white elephant the extent of his loss, and beginning to be +apprehensive about his own safety, ordered one of his warriors, well +acquainted with the language of Irán, to solicit from the enemy a +cessation of hostilities. + + "Say whence this wrath on us, this keen revenge? + We never injured Saiáwush; the kings + Of Ind and Chín are guiltless of his blood; + Then why this wrath on strangers? Spells and charms, + Used by Afrásiyáb--the cause of all-- + Have brought us hither to contend against + The champion Rustem; and since peace is better + Than war and bloodshed, let us part in peace." + +The messenger having delivered his message, Rustem replied:-- + + "My words are few. Let him give up his crown, + His golden collar, throne, and elephants; + These are the terms I grant. He came for plunder, + And now he asks for peace. Tell him again, + Till all his treasure and his crown are mine, + His throne and elephants, he seeks in vain + For peace with Rustem, or the Persian king!" + +When the Khakán was informed of these reiterated conditions, he burst +out into bitter reproaches and abuse; and with so loud a voice, that the +wind conveyed them distinctly to Rustem's ear. The champion immediately +prepared for the attack; and approaching the enemy, flung his kamund, by +which he at once dragged the Khakán from his white elephant. The hands +of the captured monarch were straightway bound behind his back. Degraded +and helpless he stood, and a single stroke deprived him of his crown, +and throne, and life. + + Such are, since time began, the ways of Heaven; + Such the decrees of fate! Sometimes raised up, + And sometimes hunted down by enemies, + Men, struggling, pass through this precarious life, + Exalted now to sovereign power; and now + Steeped in the gulf of poverty and sorrow. + To one is given the affluence of Kárun; + Another dies in want. How little know we + What form our future fortune may assume! + The world is all deceit, deception all! + +Pírán-wísah beheld the disasters of the day, he saw the Khakán of Chín +delivered over to Tús, his death, and the banners of the confederates +overthrown; and sorrowing said:--"This day is the day of flight, not of +victory to us! This is no time for son to protect father, nor father +son--we must fly!" In the meanwhile Rustem, animated by feelings of a +very different kind, gave a banquet to his warrior friends, in +celebration of the triumph. + +When the intelligence of the overthrow and death of Kámús and the Khakán +of Chín, and the dispersion of their armies, reached Afrásiyáb, he was +overwhelmed with distress and consternation, and expressed his +determination to be revenged on the conquerors. Not an Iránian, he said, +should remain alive; and the doors of his treasury were thrown open to +equip and reward the new army, which was to consist of a hundred +thousand men. + +Rustem having communicated to Kai-khosráu, through Fríburz, the account +of his success, received the most satisfactory marks of his sovereign's +applause; but still anxious to promote the glory of his country, he +engaged in new exploits. He went against Kafúr, the king of the city of +Bidád, a cannibal, who feasted on human flesh, especially on the young +women of his country, and those of the greatest beauty, being the +richest morsels, were first destroyed. He soon overpowered and slew the +monster, and having given his body to be devoured by dogs, plundered and +razed his castle to the ground. After this he invaded and ravaged the +province of Khoten, one of the dependencies of Túrán, and recently the +possession of Saiáwush, which was a new affliction to Afrásiyáb, who, +alarmed about his own empire, dispatched a trusty person secretly to +Rustem's camp, to obtain private intelligence of his hostile movements. +The answer of the spy added considerably to his distress, and in the +dilemma he consulted with Pírán-wísah, that he might have the benefit of +the old man's experience and wisdom. Pírán told him that he had failed +to make an impression upon the Persians, even assisted by Kámús the +Kashánian, and the Khakán of Chin; both had been slain in battle, and +therefore it would be in vain to attempt further offensive measures +without the most powerful aid. There was, he added, a neighboring king, +named Púladwund, who alone seemed equal to contend with Rustem. He was +of immense stature, and of prodigious strength, and might by the favor +of heaven, be able to subdue him. Afrásiyáb was pleased with this +information, and immediately invited Púladwund, by letter, to assist him +in exterminating the champion of Persia. Púladwund was proud of the +honor conferred upon him, and readily complied; hastening the +preparation of his own army to cooperate with that of Afrásiyáb. He +presently joined him, and the whole of the combined forces rapidly +marched against the enemy. The first warrior he encountered was Gíw, +whom he caught with his kamund. Rehám and Byzun seeing this, instantly +rushed forward to extricate their brother and champion in arms; but they +too were also secured in the same manner! In the struggle, however, the +kamunds gave way, and then Púladwund drew his sword, and by several +strokes wounded them all. The father, Gúdarz, apprised of this disaster, +which had unfortunately happened to three of his sons, applied to Rustem +for succor. The champion, the refuge, the protector of all, was, as +usual, ready to repel the enemy. He forthwith advanced, liberated his +friends, and dreadful was the conflict which followed. The club was used +with great dexterity on both sides; but at length Púladwund struck his +antagonist such a blow that the sound of it was heard by the troops at a +distance, and Rustem, stunned by its severity, thought himself opposed +with so much vigor, that he prayed to the Almighty for a prosperous +issue to the engagement. + + "Should I be in this struggle slain, + What stay for Persia will be left? + None to defend Kai-khosráu's reign, + Of me, his warrior-chief, bereft. + Then village, town, and city gay, + Will feel the cruel Tartar's sway!" + +Púladwund wishing to follow up the blow by a final stroke of his sword, +found to his amazement that it recoiled from the armor of Rustem, and +thence he proposed another mode of fighting, which he hoped would be +more successful. He wished to try his power in wrestling. The challenge +was accepted. By agreement both armies retired, and left the space of a +farsang between them, and no one was allowed to afford assistance to +either combatant. Afrásiyáb was present, and sent word to Púladwund, the +moment he got Rustem under him, to plunge a sword in his heart. The +contest began, but Púladwund had no opportunity of fulfilling the wishes +of Afrásiyáb. Rustem grasped him with such vigor, lifted him up in his +arms, and dashed him so furiously on the plain, that the boaster seemed +to be killed on the spot. Rustem indeed thought he had put a period to +his life; and with that impression left him, and remounted Rakush: but +the crafty Púladwund only pretended to be dead: and as soon as he found +himself released, sprang up and escaped, flying like an arrow to his own +side. He then told Afrásiyáb how he had saved his life by counterfeiting +death, and assured him that it was useless to contend against Rustem. +The champion having witnessed this subterfuge, turned round in pursuit, +and the Tartars received him with a shower of arrows; but the attack was +well answered, Púladwund being so alarmed that, without saying a word to +Afrásiyáb, he fled from the field. Pírán now counselled Afrásiyáb to +escape also to the remotest part of Tartary. As the flight of Púladwund +had disheartened the Túránian troops, and there was no chance of +profiting by further resistance, Afrásiyáb took his advice, and so +precipitate was his retreat, that he entirely abandoned his standards, +tents, horses, arms, and treasure to an immense amount. The most +valuable booty was sent by Rustem to the king of Irán, and a +considerable portion of it was divided among the chiefs and the soldiers +of the army. He then mounted Rakush, and proceeded to the court of +Kai-khosráu, where he was received with the highest honors and with +unbounded rejoicings. The king opened his jewel chamber, and gave him +the richest rubies, and vessels of gold filled with musk and aloes, and +also splendid garments; a hundred beautiful damsels wearing crowns and +ear-rings, a hundred horses, and a hundred camels. Having thus +terminated triumphantly the campaign, Rustem carried with him to Zábul +the blessings and admiration of his country. + + + +AKWÁN DÍW + + And now we come to Akwán Díw, + Whom Rustem next in combat slew. + +One day as Kai-khosráu was sitting in his beautiful garden, abounding in +roses and the balmy luxuriance of spring, surrounded by his warriors, +and enjoying the pleasures of the banquet with music and singing, a +peasant approached, and informed him of a most mysterious apparition. A +wild ass, he said, had come in from the neighboring forest; it had at +least the external appearance of a wild ass, but possessed such +supernatural strength, that it had rushed among the horses in the royal +stables with the ferocity of a lion or a demon, doing extensive injury, +and in fact appeared to be an evil spirit! Kai-khosráu felt assured that +it was something more than it seemed to be, and looked round among his +warriors to know what should be done. It was soon found that Rustem was +the only person capable of giving effectual assistance in this +emergency, and accordingly a message was forwarded to request his +services. The champion instantly complied, and it was not long before he +occupied himself upon the important enterprise. Guided by the peasant, +he proceeded in the first place towards the spot where the mysterious +animal had been seen; but it was not till the fourth day of his search +that he fell in with him, and then, being anxious to secure him alive, +and send him as a trophy to Kai-khosráu, he threw his kamund; but it was +in vain: the wild ass in a moment vanished out of sight! From this +circumstance Rustem observed, "This can be no other than Akwán Díw, and +my weapon must now be either dagger or sword." The next time the wild +ass appeared he pursued him with his drawn sword: but on lifting it up +to strike, nothing was to be seen. He tried again, when he came near +him, both spear and arrow: still the animal vanished, disappointing his +blow; and thus three days and nights he continued fighting, as it were +against a shadow. Wearied at length with his exertions, he dismounted, +and leading Rakush to a green spot near a limpid fountain or rivulet of +spring water, allowed him to graze, and then went to sleep. Akwán Díw +seeing from a distance that Rustem had fallen asleep, rushed towards him +like a whirlwind, and rapidly digging up the ground on every side of +him, took up the plot of ground and the champion together, placed them +upon his head, and walked away with them. Rustem being awakened with the +motion, he was thus addressed by the giant-demon:-- + + "Warrior! now no longer free! + Tell me what thy wish may be; + Shall I plunge thee in the sea, + Or leave thee on the mountain drear, + None to give thee succour, near? + Tell thy wish to me!" + +Rustem, thus deplorably in the power of the demon, began to consider +what was best to be done, and recollecting that it was customary with +that supernatural race to act by the rule of contraries, in opposition +to an expressed desire, said in reply, for he knew that if he was thrown +into the sea there would be a good chance of escape:-- + + "O, plunge me not in the roaring sea, + The maw of a fish is no home for me; + But cast me forth on the mountain; there + Is the lion's haunt and the tiger's lair; + And for them I shall be a morsel of food, + They will eat my flesh and drink my blood; + But my bones will be left, to show the place + Where this form was devoured by the feline race; + Yes, something will then remain of me, + Whilst nothing escapes from the roaring sea!" + +Akwán Díw having heard this particular desire of Rustem, determined at +once to thwart him, and for this purpose he raised him up with his +hands, and flung him from his lofty position headlong into the deep and +roaring ocean. Down he fell, and a crocodile speedily darted upon him +with the eager intention of devouring him alive; but Rustem drew his +sword with alacrity, and severed the monster's head from his body. +Another came, and was put to death in the same manner, and the water was +crimsoned with blood. At last he succeeded in swimming safely on shore, +and instantly returned thanks to Heaven for the signal protection he had +experienced. + + Breasting the wave, with fearless skill + He used his glittering brand; + And glorious and triumphant still, + He quickly reached the strand. + +He then moved towards the fountain where he had left Rakush; but, to his +great alarm and vexation his matchless horse was not there. He wandered +about for some time, and in the end found him among a herd of horses +belonging to Afrásiyáb. Having first caught him, and resumed his seat in +the saddle, he resolved upon capturing and driving away the whole herd, +and conveying them to Kai-khosráu. He was carrying into effect this +resolution when the noise awoke the keepers specially employed by +Afrásiyáb, and they, indignant at this outrageous proceeding, called +together a strong party to pursue the aggressor. When they had nearly +reached him, he turned boldly round, and said aloud:--"I am Rustem, the +descendant of Sám. I have conquered Afrásiyáb in battle, and after that +dost thou presume to oppose me?" Hearing this, the keepers of the Tartar +stud instantly turned their backs, and ran away. + +It so happened that at this period Afrásiyáb paid his annual visit to +his nursery of horses, and on his coming to the meadows in which they +were kept, neither horses nor keepers were to be seen. In a short time, +however, he was informed by those who had returned from the pursuit, +that Rustem was the person who had carried off the herd, and upon +hearing of this outrage, he proceeded with his troops at once to attack +him. Impatient at the indignity, he approached Rustem with great fury, +but was presently compelled to fly to save his life, and thus allow his +herd of favorite steeds, together with four elephants, to be placed in +the possession of Kai-khosráu. Rustem then returned to the meadows and +the fountain near the habitation of Akwán Díw; and there he again met +the demon, who thus accosted him:-- + + "What! art thou then aroused from death's dark sleep? + Hast thou escaped the monsters of the deep? + And dost thou seek upon the dusty plain + To struggle with a demon's power again? + Of flint, or brass, or iron is thy form? + Or canst thou, like the demons, raise the dreadful battle storm?" + +Rustem, hearing this taunt from the tongue of Akwán Díw, prepared for +fight, and threw his kamund with such precision and force, that the +demon was entangled in it, and then he struck him such a mighty blow +with his sword, that it severed the head from the body. The severed head +of the unclean monster he transmitted as a trophy to Kai-khosráu, by +whom it was regarded with amazement, on account of its hideous +expression and its vast size. After this extraordinary feat, Rustem paid +his respects to the king, and was received as usual with distinguished +honor and affection; and having enjoyed the magnificent hospitality of +the court for some time, he returned to Zábulistán, accompanied part of +the way by Kai-khosráu himself and a crowd of valiant warriors, ever +anxious to acknowledge his superior worth and prodigious strength. + + + +THE STORY OF BYZUN AND MANÍJEH[49] + +One day the people of Armán petitioned Kai-khosráu to remove from them a +grievous calamity. The country they inhabited was overrun with herds of +wild boars, which not only destroyed the produce of their fields, but +the fruit and flowers in their orchards and gardens, and so extreme was +the ferocity of the animals that it was dangerous to go abroad; they +therefore solicited protection from this disastrous visitation, and +hoped for relief. The king was at the time enjoying himself amidst his +warriors at a banquet, drinking wine, and listening to music and the +songs of bewitching damsels. + + The glance of beauty, and the charm + Of heavenly sounds, so soft and thrilling, + And ruby wine, must ever warm + The heart, with love and rapture filling. + Can aught more sweet, more genial prove, + Than melting music, wine, and love? + +The moment he was made acquainted with the grievances endured by the +Armánians, he referred the matter to the consideration of his +counsellors and nobles, in order that a remedy might be immediately +applied. Byzun, when he heard what was required, and had learned the +disposition of the king, rose up at once with all the enthusiasm of +youth, and offered to undertake the extermination of the wild boars +himself. But Gíw objected to so great a hazard, for he was too young, he +said; a hero of greater experience being necessary for such an arduous +enterprise. Byzun, however, was not to be rejected on this account, and +observed, that though young, he was mature in judgment and discretion, +and he relied on the liberal decision of the king, who at length +permitted him to go, but he was to be accompanied by the veteran warrior +Girgín. Accordingly Byzun and Girgín set off on the perilous expedition; +and after a journey of several days arrived at the place situated +between Irán and Túrán, where the wild boars were the most destructive. +In a short time a great number were hunted down and killed, and Byzun, +utterly to destroy the sustenance of the depredators, set fire to the +forest, and reduced the whole of the cultivation to ashes. His exertions +were, in short, entirely successful, and the country was thus freed from +the visitation which had occasioned so much distress and ruin. To give +incontestable proof of this exploit, he cut off the heads of all the +wild boars, and took out the tusks, to send to Kai-khosráu. When Girgín +had witnessed the intrepidity and boldness of Byzun, and found him +determined to send the evidence of his bravery to Kai-khosráu, he became +envious of the youth's success, and anticipated by comparison the ruin +of his own name and the gratification of his foes. He therefore +attempted to dissuade him from sending the trophies to the king, and +having failed, he resolved upon getting him out of the way. To effect +this purpose he worked upon the feelings and the passions of Byzun with +consummate art, and whilst his victim was warm with wine, praised him +beyond all the warriors of the age. He then told him he had heard that +at no great distance from them there was a beautiful place, a garden of +perpetual spring, which was visited every vernal season by Maníjeh, the +lovely daughter of Afrásiyáb. + + "It is a spot beyond imagination + Delightful to the heart, where roses bloom, + And sparkling fountains murmur--where the earth + Is rich with many-colored flowers; and musk + Floats on the gentle breezes, hyacinths + And lilies add their perfume--golden fruits + Weigh down the branches of the lofty trees, + The glittering pheasant moves in stately pomp, + The bulbul warbles from the cypress bough, + And love-inspiring damsels may be seen + O'er hill and dale, their lips all winning smiles, + Their cheeks like roses--in their sleepy eyes + Delicious languor dwelling. Over them + Presides the daughter of Afrásiyáb, + The beautiful Maníjeh; should we go, + ('Tis but a little distance), and encamp + Among the lovely groups--in that retreat + Which blooms like Paradise--we may secure + A bevy of fair virgins for the king!" + +Byzun was excited by this description; and impatient to realize what it +promised, repaired without delay, accompanied by Girgín, to the romantic +retirement of the princess. They approached so close to the summer-tent +in which she dwelt that she had a full view of Byzun, and immediately +becoming deeply enamoured of his person despatched a confidential +domestic, her nurse, to inquire who he was, and from whence he came. + + "Go, and beneath that cypress tree, + Where now he sits so gracefully, + Ask him his name, that radiant moon, + And he may grant another boon! + Perchance he may to me impart + The secret wishes of his heart! + Tell him he must, and further say, + That I have lived here many a day; + That every year, whilst spring discloses + The fragrant breath of budding roses, + I pass my time in rural pleasure; + But never--never such a treasure, + A mortal of such perfect mould, + Did these admiring eyes behold! + Never, since it has been my lot + To dwell in this sequestered spot, + A youth by nature so designed + To soothe a love-lorn damsel's mind! + His wondrous looks my bosom thrill + Can Saiáwush be living still?" + +The nurse communicated faithfully the message of Maníjeh, and Byzun's +countenance glowed with delight when he heard it. "Tell thy fair +mistress," he said in reply, "that I am not Saiáwush, but the son of +Gíw. I came from Irán, with the express permission of the king, to +exterminate a terrible and destructive herd of wild boars in this +neighborhood; and I have cut off their heads, and torn out their tusks +to be sent to Kai-khosráu, that the king and his warriors may fully +appreciate the exploit I have performed. But having heard afterwards of +thy mistress's beauty and attractions, home and my father were +forgotten, and I have preferred following my own desires by coming +hither. If thou wilt therefore forward my views; if thou wilt become my +friend by introducing me to thy mistress, who is possessed of such +matchless charms, these precious gems are thine and this coronet of +gold. Perhaps the daughter of Afrásiyáb may be induced to listen to my +suit." The nurse was not long in making known the sentiments of the +stranger, and Maníjeh was equally prompt in expressing her consent. The +message was full of ardor and affection. + + "O gallant youth, no farther roam, + This summer-tent shall be thy home; + Then will the clouds of grief depart + From this enamoured, anxious heart. + For thee I live--thou art the light + Which makes my future fortune bright. + Should arrows pour like showers of rain + Upon my head--'twould be in vain; + Nothing can ever injure me, + Blessed with thy love--possessed of thee!" + +Byzun therefore proceeded unobserved to the tent of the princess, who on +meeting and receiving him, pressed him to her bosom; and taking off his +Kaiáni girdle, that he might be more at his ease, asked him to sit down +and relate the particulars of his enterprise among the wild boars of the +forest. Having done so, he added that he had left Girgín behind him. + + "Enraptured, and impatient to survey + Thy charms, I brook'd no pause upon the way." + +He was immediately perfumed with musk and rose-water, and refreshments +of every kind were set before him; musicians played their sweetest airs, +and dark-eyed damsels waited upon him. The walls of the tent were +gorgeously adorned with amber, and gold, and rubies; and the sparkling +old wine was drunk out of crystal goblets. The feast of joy lasted three +nights and three days, Byzun and Maníjeh enjoying the precious moments +with unspeakable rapture. Overcome with wine and the felicity of the +scene, he at length sunk into repose, and on the fourth day came the +time of departure; but the princess, unable to relinquish the society of +her lover, ordered a narcotic draught to be administered to him, and +whilst he continued in a state of slumber and insensibility, he was +conveyed secretly and in disguise into Túrán. He was taken even to the +palace of Afrásiyáb, unknown to all but to the emissaries and domestics +of the princess, and there he awoke from the trance into which he had +been thrown, and found himself clasped in the arms of his idol. +Considering, on coming to his senses, that he had been betrayed by some +witchery, he made an attempt to get out of the seclusion: above all, he +was apprehensive of a fatal termination to the adventure; but Maníjeh's +blandishments induced him to remain, and for some time he was contented +to be immersed in continual enjoyment--such pleasure as arises from the +social banquet and the attractions of a fascinating woman. + + "Grieve not my love--be not so sad, + 'Tis now the season to be glad; + There is a time for war and strife, + A time to soothe the ills of life. + Drink of the cup which yields delight, + The ruby glitters in thy sight; + Steep not thy heart in fruitless care, + But in the wine-flask sparkling there." + +At length, however, the love of the princess for a Persian youth was +discovered, and the keepers and guards of the palace were in the +greatest terror, expecting the most signal punishment for their neglect +or treachery. Dreadful indeed was the rage of the king when he was first +told the tidings; he trembled like a reed in the wind, and the color +fled from his cheeks. Groaning, he exclaimed:-- + + "A daughter, even from a royal stock, + Is ever a misfortune--hast thou one? + The grave will be thy fittest son-in-law! + Rejoice not in the wisdom of a daughter; + Who ever finds a daughter good and virtuous? + Who ever looks on woman-kind for aught + Save wickedness and folly? Hence how few + Ever enjoy the bliss of Paradise: + Such the sad destiny of erring woman!" + +Afrásiyáb consulted the nobles of his household upon the measures to be +pursued on this occasion, and Gersíwaz was in consequence deputed to +secure Byzun, and put him to death. The guilty retreat was first +surrounded by troops, and then Gersíwaz entered the private apartments, +and with surprise and indignation saw Byzun in all his glory, Maníjeh at +his side, his lips stained with wine, his face full of mirth and +gladness, and encircled by the damsels of the shubistán. He accosted him +in severe terms, and was promptly answered by Byzun, who, drawing his +sword, gave his name and family, and declared that if any violence or +insult was offered, he would slay every man that came before him with +hostile intentions. Gersíwaz, on hearing this, thought it prudent to +change his plan, and conduct him to Afrásiyáb, and he was permitted to +do so on the promise of pardon for the alleged offence. When brought +before Afrásiyáb, he was assailed with further opprobrium, and called a +dog and a wicked remorseless demon. + + "Thou caitiff wretch, of monstrous birth, + Allied to hell, and not of earth!" + +But he thus answered the king:-- + + "Listen awhile, if justice be thy aim, + And thou wilt find me guiltless. I was sent + From Persia to destroy herds of wild boars, + Which laid the country waste. That labour done, + I lost my way, and weary with the toil, + Weary with wandering in a wildering maze, + Haply reposed beneath a shady cypress; + Thither a Peri came, and whilst I slept, + Lifted me from the ground, and quick as thought + Conveyed me to a summer-tent, where dwelt + A princess of incomparable beauty. + From thence, by hands unknown, I was removed, + Still slumbering in a litter--still unconscious; + And when I woke, I found myself reclining + In a retired pavilion of thy palace, + Attended by that soul-entrancing beauty! + My heart was filled with sorrow, and I shed + Showers of vain tears, and desolate I sate, + Thinking of Persia, with no power to fly + From my imprisonment, though soft and kind, + Being the victim of a sorcerer's art. + Yes, I am guiltless, and Maníjeh too, + Both by some magic influence pursued, + And led away against our will or choice!" + +Afrásiyáb listened to this speech with distrust, and hesitated not to +charge him with falsehood and cowardice. Byzun's indignation was roused +by this insulting accusation; and he said to him aloud, "Cowardice, +what! cowardice! I have encountered the tusks of the formidable wild +boar and the claws of the raging lion. I have met the bravest in battle +with sword and arrow; and if it be thy desire to witness the strength of +my arm, give me but a horse and a battle-axe, and marshal twice five +hundred Túránians against me, and not a man of them shall survive the +contest. If this be not thy pleasure, do thy worst, but remember my +blood will be avenged. Thou knowest the power of Rustem!" The mention of +Rustem's name renewed all the deep feelings of resentment and animosity +in the mind of Afrásiyáb, who, resolved upon the immediate execution of +his purpose, commanded Gersíwaz to bind the youth, and put an end to his +life on the gallows tree. The good old man Pírán-wísah happened to be +passing by the place to which Byzun had just been conveyed to suffer +death; and seeing a great concourse of people, and a lofty dar erected, +from which hung a noose, he inquired for whom it was intended. Gersíwaz +heard the question, and replied that it was for a Persian, an enemy of +Túrán, a son of Gíw, and related to Rustem. Pírán straightway rode up to +the youth, who was standing in deep affliction, almost naked, and with +his hands bound behind his back, and he said to him:-- + + "Why didst thou quit thy country, why come hither, + Why choose the road to an untimely grave?" + +Upon this Byzun told him his whole story, and the treachery of Girgín. +Pírán wept at the recital, and remembering the circumstances under which +he had encountered Gíw, and how he had been himself delivered from death +by the interposition of Ferangís, he requested the execution to be +stayed until he had seen the king, which was accordingly done. The king +received him with honor, praised his wisdom and prudence, and +conjecturing from his manner that something was heavy at his heart, +expressed his readiness to grant any favor which he might have come to +solicit. Pírán said: "Then, my only desire is this: do not put Byzun to +death; do not repeat the tragedy of Saiáwush, and again consign Túrán +and Irán to all the horrors of war and desolation. Remember how I warned +thee against taking the life of that young prince; but malignant and +evil advisers exerted their influence, were triumphant, and brought upon +thee and thy kingdom the vengeance of Káús, of Rustem, and all the +warriors of the Persian empire. The swords now sleeping in their +scabbards are ready to flash forth again, for assuredly if the blood of +Byzun be spilt the land will be depopulated by fire and sword. The honor +of a king is sacred; when that is lost, all is lost." But Afrásiyáb +replied: "I fear not the thousands that can be brought against me. Byzun +has committed an offence which can never be pardoned; it covers me with +shame, and I shall be universally despised if I suffer him to live. +Death were better for me than life in disgrace. He must die."--"That is +not necessary," rejoined Pírán, "let him be imprisoned in a deep cavern; +he will never be heard of more, and then thou canst not be accused of +having shed his blood." After some deliberation, Afrásiyáb altered his +determination, and commanded Gersíwaz to bind the youth with chains from +head to foot, and hang him within a deep pit with his head downwards, +that he might never see sun or moon again; and he sentenced Maníjeh to +share the same fate: and to make their death more sure, he ordered the +enormous fragment of rock which Akwán Díw had dragged out of the ocean +and flung upon the plain of Tartary, to be placed over the mouth of the +pit. In respect to Byzun, Gersíwaz did as he was commanded; but the +lamentations in the shubistán were so loud and distressing upon Maníjeh +being sentenced to the same punishment, that the tyrant was induced to +change her doom, allowing her to dwell near the pit, but forbidding, by +proclamation, anyone going to her or supplying her with food. Gersíwaz +conducted her to the place; and stripping her of her rich garments and +jewels, left her bareheaded and barefooted, weeping torrents of tears. + + He left her--the unhappy maid; + Her head upon the earth was laid, + In bitterness of grief, and lone, + Beside that dreadful demon-stone. + +There happened, however, to be a fissure in the huge rock that covered +the mouth of the pit, which allowed of Byzun's voice being heard, and +bread and water was let down to him, so that they had the melancholy +satisfaction of hearing each other's woes. + +The story now relates to Girgín, who finding after several days that +Byzun had not returned, began to repent of his treachery; but what is +the advantage of such repentance? it is like the smoke that rises from a +conflagration. + + When flames have done their worst, thick clouds arise + Of lurid smoke, which useless mount the skies. + +He sought everywhere for him; went to the romantic retreat where the +daughter of Afrásiyáb resided; but the place was deserted, nothing was +to be seen, and nothing to be heard. At length he saw Byzun's horse +astray, and securing him with his kamund, thought it useless to remain +in Túrán, and therefore proceeded in sorrow back to Irán. Gíw, finding +that his son had not returned with him from Armán, was frantic with +grief; he tore his garments and his hair, and threw ashes over his head; +and seeing the horse his son had ridden, caressed it in the fondest +manner, demanding from Girgín a full account of what he knew of his +fate. "O Heaven forbid," said he, "that my son should have fallen into +the power of the merciless demons!" Girgín could not safely confess the +truth, and therefore told a falsehood, in the hope of escaping from the +consequences of his own guilt. "When we arrived at Armán," said he, "we +entered a large forest, and cutting down the trees, set them on fire. We +then attacked the wild boars, which were found in vast numbers; and as +soon as they were all destroyed, left the place on our return. Sporting +all the way, we fell in with an elk, of a most beautiful and wonderful +form. It was like the Símúrgh; it had hoofs of steel, and the head and +ears and tail of a horse. It was strong as a lion and fleet as the wind, +and came fiercely before us, yet seemed to be a thing of air. Byzun +threw his kamund over him; and when entangled in the noose, the animal +became furious and sprung away, dragging Byzun after him. Presently the +prospect was enveloped in smoke, the earth looked like the ocean, and +Byzun and the phantom-elk disappeared. I wandered about in search of my +companion, but found him not: his horse only remained. My heart was rent +with anguish, for it seemed to me that the furious elk must have been +the White Demon." But Gíw was not to be deceived by this fabricated +tale; on the contrary, he felt convinced that treachery had been at +work, and in his rage seized Girgín by the beard, dragged him to and +fro, and inflicted on him two hundred strokes with a scourge. The +unhappy wretch, from the wounds he had received, fell senseless on the +ground. Gíw then hastened to Kai-khosráu to inform him of his +misfortune; and though the first resolve was to put the traitor to +death, the king was contented to load him with chains and cast him into +prison. The astrologers being now consulted, pronounced that Byzun was +still living, and Gíw was consoled and cheered by the promptitude with +which the king despatched troops in every quarter in search of his son. + + "Weep no longer, warrior bold, + Thou shalt soon thy son behold. + In this Cup, this mirror bright, + All that's dark is brought to light; + All above and under ground, + All that's lost is quickly found." + Thus spake the monarch, and held up + Before his view that wondrous Cup + Which first to Jemshíd's eye revealed + All that was in the world concealed. + And first before him lay exposed + All that the seven climes enclosed, + Whether in ocean or amid + The stars the secret things were hid, + Whether in rock or cavern placed, + In that bright Cup were clearly traced. + And now his eye Karugsár surveys, + The Cup the province wide displays. + He sees within that dismal cave + Byzun the good, the bold, the brave; + And sitting on that demon-stone + Lovely Maníjeh sad and lone. + And now he smiles and looks on Gíw, + And cries: "My prophecy was true. + Thy Byzun lives; no longer grieve, + I see him there, my words believe; + And though bound fast in fetters, he + Shall soon regain his liberty." + +Kai-khosráu, thinking the services of Rustem requisite on this occasion, +dispatched Gíw with an invitation to him, explaining the circumstance of +Byzun's capture. Rustem had made up his mind to continue in peace and +tranquillity at his Zábul principality, and not to be withdrawn again +from its comforts by any emergency; but the reported situation of his +near relative altered his purpose, and he hesitated not to give his best +aid to restore him to freedom. Gíw rejoiced at this, and both repaired +without delay to the royal residence, where Khosráu gratified the +champion with the most cordial welcome, placing him on a throne before +him. The king asked him what force he would require, and he replied that +he did not require any army; he preferred going in disguise as a +merchant. Accordingly the necessary materials were prepared; a thousand +camels were laden with jewels and brocades, and other merchandise, and a +thousand warriors were habited like camel-drivers. Girgín had prayed to +be released from his bonds, and by the intercession of Rustem was +allowed to be of the party; but his children were kept in prison as +hostages and security for his honorable conduct. When the champion, with +his kafila, arrived within the territory of the enemy, and approached +the spot where Byzun was imprisoned, a loud clamor arose that a caravan +of merchandise had come from Irán, such as was never seen before. The +tidings having reached the ear of Maníjeh, she went immediately to +Rustem, and inquired whether the imprisonment of Byzun was yet known at +the Persian court? Rustem replied in anger: "I am a merchant employed in +traffic, what can I know of such things? Go away, I have no acquaintance +with either the king or his warriors." This answer overwhelmed Maníjeh +with disappointment and grief, and she wept bitterly. Her tears began to +soften the heart of Rustem, and he said to her in a soothing voice:--"I +am not an inhabitant of the city in which the court is held, and on that +account I know nothing of these matters; but tell me the cause of thy +grief." Maníjeh sighed deeply, and endeavored to avoid giving him any +reply, which increased the curiosity of the champion; but she at length +complied. She told him who she was, the daughter of Afrásiyáb, the story +of her love, and the misfortunes of Byzun, and pointed out to him the +pit in which he was imprisoned and bound down with heavy chains. + + "For the sake of him has been my fall + From royal state, and bower, and hall, + And hence this pale and haggard face, + This saffron hue thy eye may trace, + Where bud of rose was wont to bloom, + But withered now and gone; + And I must sit in sorrow's gloom + Unsuccoured and alone." + +Rustem asked with deep interest if any food could be conveyed to him, +and she said that she had been accustomed to supply him with bread and +water through a fissure in the huge stone which covered the mouth of the +pit. Upon receiving this welcome information, Rustem brought a roasted +fowl, and inclosing in it his own seal-ring, gave it to Maníjeh to take +to Byzun. The poor captive, on receiving it, inquired by whom such a +blessing could have been sent, and when she informed him that it had +been given to her by the chief of a caravan from Irán, who had +manifested great anxiety about him, his smiles spoke the joyous feelings +of his heart, for the name of Rustem was engraved on the ring. Maníjeh +was surprised to see him smile, considering his melancholy situation, +and could not imagine the cause. "If thou wilt keep my secret," said he, +"I will tell thee the cause." "What!" she replied, "have I not devoted +my heart and soul to thee?--have I not sacrificed everything for thy +love, and is my fidelity now to be suspected? + + "Can I be faithless, then, to thee, + The choice of this fond heart of mine; + Why sought I bonds, when I was free, + But to be thine--forever thine?" + +"True, true! then hear me:--the chief of the caravan is Rustem, who has +undoubtedly come to release me from this dreadful pit. Go to him, and +concert with him the manner in which my deliverance may be soonest +effected." Maníjeh accordingly went and communicated with the champion; +and it was agreed between them that she should light a large fire to +guide him on his way. He was prompt as well as valiant, and repaired in +the middle of the following night, accompanied by seven of his warriors, +directed by the blaze, to the place where Byzun was confined. The +neighborhood was infested by demons with long nails, and long hair on +their bodies like the hair of a goat, and horny feet, and with heads +like dogs, and the chief of them was the son of Akwán Díw. The father +having been slain by Rustem, the son nourished the hope of revenge, and +perpetually longed for an opportunity of meeting him in battle. Well +knowing that the champion was engaged in the enterprise to liberate +Byzun, he commanded his demons to give him intelligence of his approach. +His height was tremendous, his face was black, his mouth yawned like a +cavern, his eyes were fountains of blood, his teeth like those of a wild +boar, and the hair on his body like needles. The monster advanced, and +reproaching Rustem disdainfully for having slain Akwán Díw, and many +other warriors in the Túránian interest, pulled up a tree by the roots +and challenged him to combat. The struggle began, but the Demon +frequently escaped the fury of the champion by vanishing into air. At +length Rustem struck a fortunate blow, which cut the body of his +towering adversary in two. His path being now free from interruption, he +sped onward, and presently beheld the prodigious demon-stone which +covered the mouth of the pit, in which Byzun was imprisoned. + + And praying to the Almighty to infuse + Strength through his limbs, he raised it up, and flung + The ponderous mass of rock upon the plain, + Which shuddered to receive that magic load! + +The mouth of the cavern being thus exposed, Rustem applied himself to +the extrication of Byzun from his miserable condition, and letting down +his kamund, he had soon the pleasure of drawing up the unfortunate +captive, whom he embraced with great affection; and instantly stripped +off the chains with which he was bound. After mutual congratulations had +been exchanged, Rustem proposed that Byzun and Maníjeh should go +immediately to Irán, whilst he and his companions in arms attacked the +palace of Afrásiyáb; but though wasted as he was by long suffering, +Byzun could not on any consideration consent to avoid the perils of the +intended assault, and determined, at all hazards, to accompany his +deliverer. + + "Full well I know thy superhuman power + Needs no assistance from an arm like mine; + But grateful as I am for this great service, + I cannot leave thee now, and shrink from peril, + That would be baseness which I could not bear." + +It was on the same night that Rustem and Byzun, and seven of his +warriors, proceeded against that part of the palace in which the tyrant +slept. He first put to death the watchman, and also killed a great +number of the guard, and a loud voice presently resounded in the chamber +of the king:--"Awake from thy slumbers, Afrásiyáb, Byzun has been freed +from his chains." Rustem now entered the royal palace, and openly +declaring his name, exclaimed:--"I am come, Afrásiyáb, to destroy thee, +and Byzun is also here to do thee service for thy cruelty to him." The +death-note awoke the trembling Afrásiyáb, and he rose up, and fled in +dismay. Rustem and his companions rushed into the inner apartments, and +captured all the blooming damsels of the shubistán, and all the jewels +and golden ornaments which fell in their way. The moon-faced beauties +were sent to Zábul; but the jewels and other valuable property were +reserved for the king. + +In the morning Afrásiyáb hastily collected together his troops and +marched against Rustem, who, with Byzun and his thousand warriors, met +him on the plain prepared for battle. The champion challenged any one +who would come forward to single combat; but though frequently repeated, +no attention was paid to the call. At length Rustem said to +Afrásiyáb:--"Art thou not ashamed to avoid a contest with so inferior +a force, a hundred thousand against one thousand? We two, and our +armies, have often met, and dost thou now shrink from the fight?" The +reproach had its effect, + + For the tyrant at once, and his heroes, began + Their attack like the demons of Mázinderán. + +But the valor and the bravery of Rustem were so eminently shown, that he +overthrew thousands of the enemy. + + In the tempest of battle, disdaining all fear, + With his kamund, and khanjer, his garz, and shamshír, + How he bound, stabbed, and crushed, and dissevered the foe, + So mighty his arm, and so fatal his blow. + +And so dreadful was the carnage, that Afrásiyáb, unable to resist his +victorious career, was compelled to seek safety in flight. + + The field was red with blood, the Tartar banners + Cast on the ground, and when, with grief, he saw + The face of Fortune turned, his cohorts slain, + He hurried back, and sought Túrán again. + +Rustem having obtained another triumph, returned to Irán with the spoils +of his conquest, and was again honored with the smiles and rewards of +his sovereign. Maníjeh was not forgotten; she, too, received a present +worthy of the virtue and fidelity she had displayed, and of the +magnanimity of her spirit; and the happy conclusion of the enterprise +was celebrated with festivity and rejoicing. + + + +BARZÚ, AND HIS CONFLICT WITH RUSTEM + +Afrásiyáb after his defeat pursued his way in despair towards Chín and +Má-chín, and on the road happened to fall in with a man of huge and +terrific stature. Amazed at the sight of so extraordinary a being, he +asked him who and what he was. "I am a villager," replied the stranger. +"And thy father?"--"I do not know my father. My mother has never +mentioned his name, and my birth is wrapped in mystery." Afrásiyáb then +addressed him as follows:--"It is my misfortune to have a bitter and +invincible enemy, who has plunged me into the greatest distress. If he +could be subdued, there would be no impediment to my conquest of Irán; +and I feel assured that thou, apparently endued with such prodigious +strength, hast the power to master him. His name is Rustem." "What!" +rejoined Barzú, "is all this concern and affliction about one man--about +one man only?" "Yes," answered Afrásiyáb; "but that one man is equal to +a hundred strong men. Upon him neither sword, nor mace, nor javelin has +any effect. In battle he is like a mountain of steel." At this Barzú +exclaimed in gamesome mood:--"A mountain of steel!--I can reduce to dust +a hundred mountains of steel!--What is a mountain of steel to me!" +Afrásiyáb rejoiced to find such confidence in the stranger, and +instantly promised him his own daughter in marriage, and the monarchy of +Chín and Má-chín, if he succeeded in destroying Rustem. Barzú replied:-- + + "Thou art but a coward slave, + Thus a stranger's aid to crave. + And thy soldiers, what are they? + Heartless on the battle-day. + Thou, the prince of such a host! + What, alas! hast thou to boast? + Art thou not ashamed to wear + The regal crown that glitters there? + And dost thou not disgrace the throne + Thus to be awed, and crushed by one; + By one, whate'er his name or might, + Thus to be put to shameful flight!" + +Afrásiyáb felt keenly the reproaches which he heard; but, nevertheless, +solicited the assistance of Barzú, who declared that he would soon +overpower Rustem, and place the empire of Irán under the dominion of the +Tartar king. He would, he said, overflow the land of Persia with blood, +and take possession of the throne! The despot was intoxicated with +delight, and expecting his most sanguine wishes would be realized, made +him the costliest presents, consisting of gold and jewels, and horses, +and elephants, so that the besotted stranger thought himself the +greatest personage in all the world. But his mother, when she heard +these things, implored him to be cautious:-- + + "My son, these presents, though so rich and rare, + Will be thy winding-sheet; beware, beware! + They'll drive to madness thy poor giddy brain, + And thou wilt never be restored again. + Never; for wert thou bravest of the brave, + They only lead to an untimely grave. + Then give them back, nor such a doom provoke, + Beware of Rustem's host-destroying stroke. + Has he not conquered demons!--and, alone, + Afrásiyáb's best warriors overthrown! + And canst thou equal them?--Alas! the day + That thy sweet life should thus be thrown away." + +Barzú, however, was too much dazzled by the presents he had received, +and too vain of his own personal strength to attend to his mother's +advice. "Certainly," said he, "the disposal of our lives is in the hands +of the Almighty, and as certain it is that my strength is superior to +that of Rustem. Would it not then be cowardly to decline the contest +with him?" The mother still continued to dissuade him from the +enterprise, and assured him that Rustem was above all mankind +distinguished for the art, and skill, and dexterity, with which he +attacked his enemy, and defended himself; and that there was no chance +of his being overcome by a man entirely ignorant of the science of +fighting; but Barzú remained unmoved: yet he told the king what his +mother had said; and Afrásiyáb, in consequence, deemed it proper to +appoint two celebrated masters to instruct him in the use of the bow, +the sword, and the javelin, and also in wrestling and throwing the +noose. Every day, clothed in armor, he tried his skill and strength with +the warriors, and after ten days he was sufficiently accomplished to +overthrow eighteen of them at one time. Proud of the progress he had +made, he told the king that he would seize and bind eighteen of his +stoutest and most experienced teachers, and bring them before him, if he +wished, when all the assembly exclaimed:--"No doubt he is fully equal +to the task; + + "He does not seem of human birth, but wears + The aspect of the Evil One; and looks + Like Alberz mountain, clad in folds of mail; + Unwearied in the fight he conquers all." + +Afrásiyáb's satisfaction was increased by this testimony to the merit of +Barzú, and he heaped upon him further tokens of his good-will and +munificence. The vain, newly-made warrior was all exultation and +delight, and said impatiently:-- + + "Delays are ever dangerous--let us meet + The foe betimes, this Rustem and the king, + Kai-khosráu. If we linger in a cause + Demanding instant action, prompt appliance, + And rapid execution, we are lost. + Advance, and I will soon lop off the heads + Of this belauded champion and his king, + And cast them, with the Persian crown and throne + Trophies of glory, at thy royal feet; + So that Túrán alone shall rule the world." + +Speedily ten thousand experienced horsemen were selected and placed +under the command of Barzú; and Húmán and Bármán were appointed to +accompany him; Afrásiyáb himself intending to follow with the reserve. + +When the intelligence of this new expedition reached the court of +Kai-khosráu, he was astonished, and could not conceive how, after so +signal a defeat and overthrow, Afrásiyáb had the means of collecting +another army, and boldly invading his kingdom. To oppose this invasion, +however, he ordered Tús and Fríburz, with twelve thousand horsemen, and +marched after them himself with a large army. As soon as Tús fell in +with the enemy the battle commenced, and lasted, with great carnage, a +whole day and night, and in the end Barzú was victorious. The warriors +of the Persian force fled, and left Tús and Fríburz alone on the field, +where they were encountered by the conqueror, taken prisoners, and +bound, and placed in the charge of Húmán. The tidings of the result of +this conflict were received with as much rejoicing by Afrásiyáb, as with +sorrow and consternation by Kai-khosráu. And now the emergency, on the +Persian side, demanded the assistance of Rustem, whose indignation was +roused, and who determined on revenge for the insult that had been +given. He took with him Gustahem, the brother of Tús, and at midnight +thought he had come to the tent of Barzú, but it proved to be the +pavilion of Afrásiyáb, who was seen seated on his throne, with Barzú on +his right hand, and Pírán-wísah on his left, and Tús and Fríburz +standing in chains before them. The king said to the captive warriors: +"To-morrow you shall both be put to death in the manner I slew +Saiáwush." He then retired. Meanwhile Rustem returned thanks to Heaven +that his friends were still alive, and requesting Gustahem to follow +cautiously, he waited awhile for a fit opportunity, till the watchman +was off his guard, and then killing him, he and Gustahem took up and +conveyed the two prisoners to a short distance, where they knocked off +their chains, and then conducted them back to Kai-khosráu. + +When Afrásiyáb arose from sleep, he found his warriors in close and +earnest conversation, and was told that a champion from Persia had come +and killed the watchman, and carried off the prisoners. Pírán exclaimed: +"Then assuredly that champion is Rustem, and no other." Afrásiyáb +writhed with anger and mortification at this intelligence, and sending +for Barzú, despatched his army to attack the enemy, and challenge Rustem +to single combat. Rustem was with the Persian troops, and, answering the +summons, said: "Young man, if thou art calling for Rustem, behold I come +in his place to lay thee prostrate on the earth." "Ah!" rejoined Barzú, +"and why this threat? It is true I am but of tender years, whilst thou +art aged and experienced. But if thou art fire, I am water, and able to +quench thy flames." Saying this he wielded his bow, and fixed the arrow +in its notch, and commenced the strife. Rustem also engaged with bow and +arrows; and then they each had recourse to their maces, which from +repeated strokes were soon bent as crooked as their bows, and they were +themselves nearly exhausted. Their next encounter was by wrestling, and +dreadful were the wrenches and grasps they received from each other. +Barzú finding no advantage from this struggle, raised his mace, and +struck Rustem such a prodigious blow on the head, that the champion +thought a whole mountain had fallen upon him. One arm was disabled, but +though the wound was desperate, Rustem had the address to conceal its +effects, and Barzú wondered that he had made apparently so little +impression on his antagonist. "Thou art," said he, "a surprising +warrior, and seemingly invulnerable. Had I struck such a blow on a +mountain, it would have been broken into a thousand fragments, and yet +it makes no impression upon thee. Heaven forbid!" he continued to +himself, "that I should ever receive so bewildering a stroke upon my own +head!" Rustem having successfully concealed the anguish of his wound, +artfully observed that it would be better to finish the combat on the +following day, to which Barzú readily agreed, and then they both parted. + +Barzú declared to Afrásiyáb that his extraordinary vigor and strength +had been of no account, for both his antagonist and his horse appeared +to be composed of materials as hard as flint. Every blow was without +effect; and "Heaven only knows," added he, "what may be the result of +to-morrow's conflict." On the other hand Rustem showed his lacerated arm +to Khosráu, and said: "I have escaped from him; but who else is there +now to meet him, and finish the struggle? Ferámurz, my son, cannot +fulfil my promise with Barzú, as he, alas! is fighting in Hindústán. Let +me, however, call him hither, and in the meanwhile, on some pretext or +other, delay the engagement." The king, in great sorrow and affliction, +sanctioned his departure, and then said to his warriors: "I will fight +this Barzú myself to-morrow;" but Gúdarz would not consent to it, +saying: "As long as we live, the king must not be exposed to such +hazard. Gíw and Byzun, and the other chiefs, must first successively +encounter the enemy." + +When Rustem reached his tent, he told his brother Zúára to get ready a +litter, that he might proceed to Sístán for the purpose of obtaining a +remedy for his wound from the Símúrgh. Pain and grief kept him awake all +night, and he prayed incessantly to the Supreme Being. In the morning +early, Zúára brought him intelligence of the welcome arrival of +Ferámurz, which gladdened his heart; and as the youth had undergone +great fatigue on his long journey, Rustem requested him to repose +awhile, and he himself, freed from anxiety, also sought relief in a +sound sleep. + +A few hours afterwards both armies were again drawn up, and Barzú, like +a mad elephant, full of confidence and pride, rode forward to resume the +combat; whilst Rustem gave instructions to Ferámurz how he was to act. +He attired him in his own armor, supplied him with his own weapons, and +mounted him on Rakush, and told him to represent himself to Barzú as the +warrior who had engaged him the day before. Accordingly Ferámurz entered +the middle space, clothed in his father's mail, raised his bow, ready +bent, and shot an arrow at Barzú, crying: "Behold thy adversary! I am +the man come to try thy strength again. Advance!" To this Barzú replied: +"Why this hilarity, and great flow of spirits? Art thou reckless of thy +life?" "In the eyes of warriors," said Ferámurz, "the field of fight is +the mansion of pleasure. After I yesterday parted from thee I drank wine +with my companions, and the impression of delight still remains on my +heart. + + "Wine exhilarates the soul, + Makes the eye with pleasure roll; + Lightens up the darkest mien, + Fills with joy the dullest scene; + Hence it is I meet thee now + With a smile upon my brow," + +Barzú, however, thought that the voice and action of his adversary were +not the same as he had heard and seen the preceding day, although there +was no difference in the armor or the horse, and therefore he said: +"Perhaps the cavalier whom I encountered yesterday is wounded or dead, +that thou hast mounted his charger, and attired thyself in his mail." +"Indeed," rejoined Ferámurz, "perhaps thou hast lost thy wits; I am +certainly the person who engaged thee yesterday, and almost extinguished +thee; and with God's favor thou shalt be a dead man to-day." "What is +thy name?" "My name is Rustem, descended from a race of warriors, and my +pleasure consists in contending with the lions of battle, and shedding +the blood of heroes." Thus saying, Ferámurz rushed on his adversary, +struck him several blows with his battle-axe, and drawing his noose from +the saddle-strap with the quickness of lightning, secured his prize. He +might have put an end to his existence in a moment, but preferred taking +him alive, and showing him as a captive. Afrásiyáb seeing the perilous +condition of Barzú, came up with his whole army to his rescue; but +Kai-khosráu was equally on the alert, accompanied by Rustem, who, +advancing to the support of Ferámurz, threw another noose round the neck +of the already-captured Barzú, to prevent the possibility of his escape. +Both armies now engaged, and the Túránians made many desperate efforts +to recover their gigantic leader, but all their manoeuvres were +fruitless. The struggle continued fiercely, and with great slaughter, +till it was dark, and then ceased; the two kings returned back to the +respective positions they had taken up before the conflict took place. +The Túránians were in the deepest grief for the loss of Barzú; and +Pírán-wísah having recommended an immediate retreat across the Jihún, +Afrásiyáb followed his counsel, and precipitately quitted Persia with +all his troops. + +Kai-khosráu ordered a grand banquet on the occasion of the victory; and +when Barzú was brought before him, he commanded his immediate execution; +but Rustem, seeing that he was very young, and thinking that he had not +yet been corrupted and debased by the savage example of the Túránians, +requested that he might be spared, and given to him to send into Sístán; +and his request was promptly complied with. + +When the mother of Barzú, whose name was Sháh-rú, heard that her son was +a prisoner, she wept bitterly, and hastened to Irán, and from thence to +Sístán. There happened to be in Rustem's employ a singing-girl,[50] an +old acquaintance of hers, to whom she was much attached, and to whom she +made large presents, calling her by the most endearing epithets, in +order that she might be brought to serve her in the important matter she +had in contemplation. Her object was soon explained, and the +preliminaries at once adjusted, and by the hands of this singing-girl +she secretly sent some food to Barzú, in which she concealed a ring, to +apprise him of her being near him. On finding the ring, he asked who had +supplied him with the food, and her answer was: "A woman recently +arrived from Má-chín." This was to him delightful intelligence, and he +could not help exclaiming, "That woman is my mother, I am grateful for +thy services, but another time bring me, if thou canst, a large file, +that I may be able to free myself from these chains." The singing-girl +promised her assistance; and having told Sháh-rú what her son required, +conveyed to him a file, and resolved to accompany him in his flight. +Barzú then requested that three fleet horses might be provided and kept +ready under the walls, at a short distance; and this being also done, in +the night, he and his mother, and the singing-girl, effected their +escape, and pursued their course towards Túrán. + +It so happened that Rustem was at this time in progress between Irán and +Sístán, hunting for his own pleasure the elk or wild ass, and he +accidentally fell in with the refugees, who made an attempt to avoid +him, but, unable to effect their purpose, thought proper to oppose him +with all their might, and a sharp contest ensued. Both parties becoming +fatigued, they rested awhile, when Rustem asked Barzú how he had +obtained his liberty. "The Almighty freed me from the bondage I +endured." "And who are these two women?" "One of them," replied Barzú, +"is my mother, and that is a singing-girl of thy own house." Rustem went +aside, and called for breakfast, and thinking in his own mind that it +would be expedient to poison Barzú, mixed up a deleterious substance in +some food, and sent it to him to eat. He was just going to take it, when +his mother cried, "My son, beware!" and he drew his hand from the dish. +But the singing-girl did eat part of it, and died on the spot. Upon +witnessing this appalling scene, Barzú sprang forward with indignation, +and reproached Rustem for his treachery in the severest terms. + + "Old man! hast thou mid warrior-chiefs a place, + And dost thou practice that which brings disgrace? + Hast thou no fear of a degraded name, + No fear of lasting obloquy and shame? + O, thou canst have no hope in God, when thou + Stand'st thus defiled--dishonoured, false, as now; + Unfair, perfidious, art thou too, in strife, + By any pretext thou wouldst take my life!" + +He then in a menacing attitude exclaimed: "If thou art a man, rise and +fight!" Rustem felt ashamed on being thus detected, and rose up frowning +in scorn. They met, brandishing their battle-axes, and looking as black +as the clouds of night. They then dismounted to wrestle, and fastening +the bridles, each to his own girdle, furiously grasped each other's +loins and limbs, straining and struggling for the mastery. Whilst they +were thus engaged, their horses betrayed equal animosity, and attacked +each other with great violence. Rakush bit and kicked Barzú's steed so +severely that he strove to gallop away, dragging his master, who was at +the same time under the excruciating grip of Rustem. "O, release me for +a moment till I am disentangled from my horse," exclaimed Barzú; but +Rustem heeding him not, now pressed him down beneath him, and was +preparing to give him the finishing blow by cutting off his head, when +the mother seeing the fatal moment approach, shrieked, and cried out, +"Forbear, Rustem! this youth is the son of Sohráb, and thy own +grandchild! Forbear, and bring not on thyself the devouring anguish +which followed the death of his unhappy father. + + "Think of Sohráb! take not the precious life + Of sire and son--unnatural is the strife; + Restrain, for mercy's sake, that furious mood, + And pause before thou shedd'st a kinsman's blood." + +"Ah!" rejoined Rustem, "can that be true?" upon which Sháh-rú showed him +Sohráb's brilliant finger-ring and he was satisfied. He then pressed +Barzú warmly and affectionately to his breast, and kissed his head and +eyes, and took him along with him to Sístán, where he placed him in a +station of honor, and introduced him to his great-grandfather Zál, who +received and caressed him with becoming tenderness and regard. + + + +SÚSEN AND AFRÁSIYÁB + +Soon after Afrásiyáb had returned defeated into Túrán, grievously +lamenting the misfortune which had deprived him of the assistance of +Barzú, a woman named Súsen, deeply versed in magic and sorcery, came to +him, and promised by her potent art to put him in the way of destroying +Rustem and his whole family. + + "Fighting disappointment brings, + Sword and mace are useless things; + If thou wouldst a conqueror be, + Monarch! put thy trust in me; + Soon the mighty chief shall bleed-- + Spells and charms will do the deed!" + +Afrásiyáb at first refused to avail himself of her power, but was +presently induced, by a manifestation of her skill, to consent to what +she proposed. She required that a distinguished warrior should be sent +along with her, furnished with abundance of treasure, honorary tokens +and presents, so that none might be aware that she was employed on the +occasion. Afrásiyáb appointed Pílsam, duly supplied with the requisites, +and the warrior and the sorceress set off on their journey, people being +stationed conveniently on the road to hasten the first tidings of their +success to the king. Their course was towards Sístán, and arriving at a +fort, they took possession of a commodious residence, in which they +placed the wealth and property they had brought, and, establishing a +house of entertainment, all travellers who passed that way were +hospitably and sumptuously regaled by them. + + For sparkling wine, and viands rare, + And mellow fruit, abounded there. + +It is recorded that Rustem had invited to a magnificent feast at his +palace in Sístán a large company of the most celebrated heroes of the +kingdom, and amongst them happened to be Tús, whom the king had deputed +to the champion on some important state affairs. Gúdarz was also +present; and between him and Tús ever hostile to each other, a dispute +as usual took place. The latter, always boasting of his ancestry, +reviled the old warrior and said, "I am the son of Nauder, and the +grandson of Feridún, whilst thou art but the son of Kavah, the +blacksmith;--why then dost thou put thyself on a footing with me?" +Gúdarz, in reply, poured upon him reproaches equally irritating, accused +him of ignorance and folly, and roused the anger of the prince to such a +degree that he drew his dagger to punish the offender, when Rehám +started up and prevented the intended bloodshed. This interposition +increased his rage, and in serious dudgeon he retired from the banquet, +and set off on his return to Irán. + +Rustem was not present at the time, but when he heard of the altercation +and the result of it, he was very angry, saying that Gúdarz was a +relation of the family, and Tús his guest, and therefore wrong had been +done, since a guest ought always to be protected. "A guest," he said, +"ought to be held as sacred as the king, and it is the custom of heroes +to treat a guest with the most scrupulous respect and consideration-- + + "For a guest is the king of the feast." + +He then requested Gúdarz to go after Tús, and by fair words and proper +excuses bring him back to his festive board. Accordingly Gúdarz +departed. No sooner had he gone than Gíw rose up, and said, "Tús is +little better than a madman, and my father of a hasty temper; I should +therefore wish to follow, to prevent the possibility of further +disagreement." To this Rustem consented. Byzun was now also anxious to +go, and he too got permission. When all the three had departed, Rustem +began to be apprehensive that something unpleasant would occur, and +thought it prudent to send Ferámurz to preserve the peace. Zál then came +forward, and thinking that Tús, the descendant of the Kais and his +revered guest, might not be easily prevailed upon to return either by +Gúdarz, Gíw, Byzun, or Ferámurz, resolved to go himself and soothe the +temper which had been so injudiciously and rudely ruffled at the +banquet. + +When Tús, on his journey from Rustem's palace, approached the residence +of Súsen the sorceress, he beheld numerous cooks and confectioners on +every side, preparing all kinds of rich and rare dishes of food, and +every species of sweetmeat; and enquiring to whom they belonged, he was +told that the place was occupied by the wife of a merchant from Túrán, +who was extremely wealthy, and who entertained in the most sumptuous +manner every traveller who passed that way. Hungry, and curious to see +what was going on, Tús dismounted, and leaving his horse with the +attendants, entered the principal apartment, where he saw a fascinating +female, and was transported with joy.--She was + + Tall as the graceful cypress, and as bright, + As ever struck a lover's ravished sight; + Why of her musky locks or ringlets tell? + Each silky hair itself contained a spell. + Why of her face so beautifully fair? + Wondering he saw the moon's refulgence there. + +As soon as his transports had subsided he sat down before her, and asked +her who she was, and upon what adventure she was engaged; and she +answered that she was a singing-girl, that a wealthy merchant some time +ago had fallen in love with and married her, and soon afterwards died; +that Afrásiyáb, the king, had since wished to take her into his harem, +which alarmed her, and she had in consequence fled from his country; she +was willing, however, she said, to become the handmaid of Kai-khosráu, +he being a true king, and of a sweet and gentle temper. + + "A persecuted damsel I, + Thus the detested tyrant fly, + And hastening from impending woes, + In happy Persia seek repose; + For long as cherished life remains, + Pleasure must smile where Khosráu reigns. + Thence did I from my home depart, + To please and bless a Persian heart." + +The deception worked effectually on the mind of Tús, and he at once +entered into the notion of escorting her to Kai-khosráu. But he was +immediately supplied with charmed viands and goblets of rich wine, which +he had not the power to resist, till his senses forsook him, and then +Pílsam appeared, and, binding him with cords, conveyed him safely and +secretly into the interior of the fort. In a short time Gúdarz arrived, +and he too was received and treated in the same manner. Then Gíw and +Byzun were seized and secured; and after them came Zál: but +notwithstanding the enticements that were used, and the attractions that +presented themselves, he would neither enter the enchanted apartment, +nor taste the enchanted food or wine. + + The bewitching cup was filled to the brim, + But the magic draught had no charms for him. + +A person whispered in his ear that the woman had already wickedly got +into her power several warriors, and he felt assured that they were his +own friends. To be revenged for this treachery he rushed forward, and +would have seized hold of the sorceress, but she fled into the fort and +fastened the gate. He instantly sent a messenger to Rustem, explaining +the perplexity in which he was involved, and exerting all his strength, +broke down the gate that had just been closed against him as soon as the +passage was opened, out rushed Pílsam, who with his mace commenced a +furious battle with Zál, in which he nearly overpowered him, when +Ferámurz reached the spot, and telling the venerable old warrior to +stand aside, took his place, and fought with Pílsam without intermission +all day, and till they were parted by the darkness of night. + +Early in the morning Rustem, accompanied by Barzú, arrived from Sístán, +and entering the fort, called aloud for Pílsam. He also sent Ferámurz to +Kai-khosráu to inform him of what had occurred. Pílsam at length issued +forth, and attacked the champion. They first fought with bows and +arrows, with javelins next, and then successively with maces, and +swords, and daggers. The contest lasted the whole day; and when at night +they parted, neither had gained the victory. The next morning immense +clouds of dust were seen, and they were found to be occasioned by +Afrásiyáb and his army marching to the spot. Rustem appointed Barzú to +proceed with his Zábul troops against him, whilst he himself encountered +Pílsam. The strife between the two was dreadful. Rustem struck him +several times furiously upon the head, and at length stretched him +lifeless on the sand. He then impelled Rakush towards the Túránian army, +and aided by Zál and Barzú, committed tremendous havoc among them. + + So thick the arrows fell, helmet, and mail, + And shield, pierced through, looked like a field of reeds. + +In the meantime Súsen, the sorceress, escaped from the fort, and fled to +Afrásiyáb. + +Another cloud of dust spreading from earth to heaven, was observed in +the direction of Persia, and the waving banners becoming more distinct, +presently showed the approach of the king, Kai-khosráu. + + The steely javelins sparkled in the sun, + Helmet and shield, and joyous seemed the sight. + Banners, all gorgeous, floating on the breeze, + And horns shrill echoing, and the tramp of steeds, + Proclaimed to dazzled eye and half-stunned ear, + The mighty preparation. + +The hostile armies soon met, and there was a sanguinary conflict, but +the Túránians were obliged to give way. Upon this common result, +Pírán-wísah declared to Afrásiyáb that perseverance was as ridiculous as +unprofitable. "Our army has no heart, nor confidence, when opposed to +Rustem; how often have we been defeated by him--how often have we been +scattered like sheep before that lion in battle! We have just lost the +aid of Barzú, and now is it not deplorable to put any trust in the +dreams of a singing-girl, to accelerate on her account the ruin of the +country, and to hazard thy own personal safety. + + "What! risk an empire on a woman's word!" + +Afrásiyáb replied, "So it is;" and instantly urged his horse into the +middle of the plain, where he loudly challenged Kai-khosráu to single +combat, saying, "Why should we uselessly shed the blood of our warriors +and people. Let us ourselves decide the day. God will give the triumph +to him who merits it." Kai-khosráu was ashamed to refuse this challenge, +and descending from his elephant, mounted his horse and prepared for the +onset. But his warriors seized the bridle, and would not allow him to +fight. He declared, however, that he would himself take revenge for the +blood of Saiáwush, and struggled to overcome the friends who were +opposing his progress. "Forbear awhile," said Rustem, "Afrásiyáb is +expert in all the arts of the warrior, fighting with the sword, the +dagger, in archery, and wrestling. When I wrestled with him, and held +him down, he could not have escaped, excepting by the exercise of the +most consummate dexterity. Allow thy warriors to fight for thee." But +the king was angry, and said, "The monarch who does not fight for +himself, is unworthy of the crown." Upon hearing this, Rustem wept tears +of blood. Barzú now took hold of the king's stirrup, and knocked his +forehead against it, and drawing his dagger, threatened to put an end to +himself, saying, "My blood will be upon thy neck, if thou goest;" and he +continued in a strain so eloquent and persuasive that Khosráu relaxed in +his determination, and observed to Rustem: "There can be no doubt that +Barzú is descended from thee." Barzú now respectfully kissed the ground +before the king, and vaulting on his saddle with admirable agility, +rushed onwards to the middle space where Afrásiyáb was waiting, and +roared aloud. Afrásiyáb burned with indignation at the sight, and said +in his heart: "It seems that I have nurtured and instructed this +ingrate, to shed my own blood. Thou wretch of demon-birth, thou knowest +not thy father's name! and yet thou comest to wage war against me! Art +thou not ashamed to look upon the king of Túrán after what he has done +for thee?" Barzú replied: "Although thou didst protect me, thou spilt +the blood of Saiáwush and Aghríras unjustly. When I ate thy salt, I +served thee faithfully, and fought for thee. I now eat the salt of +Kai-khosráu, and my allegiance is due to him." + + He spoke, and raised his battle-axe, and rushed, + Swift as a demon of Mázinderán, + Against Afrásiyáb, who, frowning, cried:-- + "Approach not like a furious elephant, + Heedless what may befall thee--nor provoke + The wrath of him whose certain aim is death." + Then placed he on the string a pointed dart, + And shot it from the bow; whizzing it flew, + And pierced the armor of the wondering youth, + Inflicting on his side a painful wound, + Which made his heart with trepidation throb; + High exultation marked the despot's brow, + Seeing the gush of blood his loins distain. + +Barzú was now anxious to assail Afrásiyáb with his mace, instead of +arrows; but whenever he tried to get near enough, he was disappointed by +the adroitness of his adversary, whom he could not reach. He was at last +compelled to lay aside the battle-axe, and have recourse to his bow, but +every arrow was dexterously received by Afrásiyáb on his shield; and +Barzú, on his part, became equally active and successful. Afrásiyáb soon +emptied his quiver, and then he grasped his mace with the intention of +extinguishing his antagonist at once, but at the moment Húmán came up, +and said: "O, king! do not bring thyself into jeopardy by contending +against a person of no account; thy proper adversary is Kai-khosráu, and +not him, for if thou gainest the victory, it can only be a victory over +a fatherless soldier, and if thou art killed, the whole of Túrán will be +at the feet of Persia." Both Pírán and Húmán dissuaded the king from +continuing the engagement singly, and directed the Túránians to commence +a general attack. Afrásiyáb told them that if Barzú was not slain, it +would be a great misfortune to their country; in consequence, they +surrounded him, and inflicted on him many severe wounds. But Rustem and +Ferámurz, beholding the dilemma into which Barzú was thrown, hastened to +his support, and many of the enemy were killed by them, and great +carnage followed the advance of the Persian army. + + The noise of clashing swords, and ponderous maces + Ringing upon the iron mail, seemed like + The busy work-shop of an armorer; + Tumultuous as the sea the field appeared, + All crimsoned with the blood of heroes slain. + +Kai-khosráu himself hurried to the assistance of Barzú, and the powerful +force which he brought along with him soon put the Túránians to flight. +Afrásiyáb too made his escape in the confusion that prevailed. The king +wished to pursue the enemy, but Rustem observed that their defeat and +dispersion was enough. The battle having ceased, and the army being in +the neighborhood of Sístán, the champion solicited permission to return +to his home; "for I am now," said he, "four hundred years old, and +require a little rest. In the meantime Ferámurz and Barzú may take my +place." The king consented, and distributing his favors to each of his +distinguished warriors for their prodigious exertions, left Zál and +Rustem to proceed to Sístán, and returned to the capital of his kingdom. + + + +THE EXPEDITION OF GÚDARZ + +The overthrow of the sovereign of Túrán had only a temporary effect, as +it was not long before he was enabled to collect further supplies, and +another army for the defence of his kingdom; and Kai-khosráu's ambition +to reduce the power of his rival being animated by new hopes of success, +another expedition was entrusted to the command of Gúdarz. Rustem, he +said, had done his duty in repeated campaigns against Afrásiyáb, and the +extraordinary gallantry and wisdom with which they were conducted, +entitled him to the highest applause. "It is now, Gúdarz, thy turn to +vanquish the enemy." Accordingly Gúdarz, accompanied by Gíw, and Tús, +and Byzun, and an immense army, proceeded towards Túrán. Ferámurz was +directed previously to invade and conquer Hindústán, and from thence to +march to the borders of Chín and Má-chín, for the purpose of uniting and +co-operating with the army under Gúdarz, and, finally, to capture +Afrásiyáb. + +As soon as it was known in Túrán that Gúdarz was in motion to resume +hostilities against the king, Húmán was appointed with a large force to +resist his progress, and a second army of reserve was gathered together +under the command of Pírán. The first conflict which occurred was +between the troops of Gúdarz and Húmán. Gúdarz directed Byzun to attack +Húmán. The two chiefs joined in battle, when Húmán fell under the sword +of his adversary, and his army, being defeated, retired, and united in +the rear with the legions of Pírán. The enemy thus became of formidable +strength, and in consequence it was thought proper to communicate the +inequality to Kai-khosráu, that reinforcements might be sent without +loss of time. The king immediately complied, and also wrote to Sístán to +request the aid of Rustem. The war lasted two years, the army on each +side being continually recruited as necessity required, so that the +numbers were regularly kept up, till a great battle took place, in which +the venerable Pírán was killed, and nearly the whole of his army +destroyed. This victory was obtained without the assistance of Rustem, +who, notwithstanding the message of the king, had still remained in +Sístán. The loss of Pírán, the counsellor and warrior, proved to be a +great affliction to Afrásiyáb: he felt as if his whole support was taken +away, and deemed it the signal of approaching ruin to his cause. + + "Thou wert my refuge, thou my friend and brother; + Wise in thy counsel, gallant in the field, + My monitor and guide--and thou art gone! + The glory of my kingdom is eclipsed, + Since thou hast vanished from this world, and left me + All wretched to myself. But food, nor sleep + Nor rest will I indulge in, till just vengeance + Has been inflicted on the cruel foe." + +When the news of Pírán's death reached Kai-khosráu, he rapidly marched +forward, crossed the Jihún without delay, and passed through Samerkánd +and Bokhára, to encounter the Túránians. Afrásiyáb, in the meantime, had +not been neglectful. He had all his hidden treasure dug up, with which +he assembled a prodigious army, and appointed his son Shydah-Poshang to +the command of a hundred thousand horsemen. To oppose this force, +Khosráu appointed his young relative, Lohurásp, with eight thousand +horsemen, and passing through Sístán, desired Rustem, on account of +Lohurásp's tender age and inexperience, to afford him such good counsel +as he required. When Afrásiyáb heard this, he added to the force of +Shydah another hundred thousand men, but first sent his son to +Kai-khosráu in the character of an ambassador to offer terms of peace. +"Tell him," said he, "that to secure this object, I will deliver to him +one of my sons as a hostage, and a number of troops for his service, +with the sacred promise never to depart from my engagements again.--But, +a word in thy ear, Shydah; if Khosráu is not disposed to accept these +terms, say, to prevent unnecessary bloodshed, he and I must personally +decide the day by single combat. If he refuses to fight with me, say +that thou wilt meet him; and shouldst thou be slain in the strife, I +will surrender to him the kingdom of Túrán, and retire myself from the +world." He further commanded him to propound these terms with a gallant +and fearless bearing, and not to betray the least apprehension. Shydah +entered fully into the spirit of his father's instructions, and declared +that he would devote his life to the cause, that he would boldly before +the whole assembly dare Kai-khosráu to battle; so that Afrásiyáb was +delighted with the valorous disposition he displayed. + +Kai-khosráu smiled when he heard of what Afrásiyáb intended, and viewed +the proposal as a proof of his weakness. "But never," said he, "will I +consent to a peace till I have inflicted on him the death which Saiáwush +was made to suffer." When Shydah arrived, and with proper ceremony and +respect had delivered his message, Kai-khosráu invited him to retire to +his chamber and go to rest, and he would send an answer by one of his +people. Shydah accordingly retired, and the king proceeded to consult +his warrior-friends on the offers that had been made. "Afrásiyáb tells +me," said he, "that if I do not wish for peace, I must fight either him +or his son. I have seen Shydah--his eyes are red and blood-shot, and he +has a fierce expression of feature; if I do not accept his terms, I +shall probably soon have a dagger lodged in my breast." Saying this, he +ordered his mail to be got ready; but Rustem and all the great men about +him exclaimed, unanimously: "This must not be allowed; Afrásiyáb is full +of fraud, artifice, and sorcery, and notoriously faithless to his +engagements. The sending of Shydah is all a trick, and his letter of +proposal all deceit: his object is simply to induce thee to fight him +alone. + + "If them shouldst kill this Shydah--what of that! + There would be one Túránian warrior less, + To vex the world withal; would that be triumph? + And to a Persian king? But if it chanced, + That thou shouldst meet with an untimely death, + By dart or javelin, at the stripling's hands, + What scathe and ruin would this realm befall!" + +By the advice of Rustem, Kai-khosráu gave Shydah permission +to depart, and said that he would send his answer to Afrásiyáb by Kárun. +"But," observed the youth, "I have come to fight thee!" which touched +the honor of the king, and he replied: "Be it so, let us then meet +to-morrow." + +In the meantime Khosráu prepared his letter to Afrásiyáb, in which he +said:-- + + "Our quarrel now is dark to view, + It bears the fiercest, gloomiest hue; + And vain have speech and promise been + To change for peace the battle scene; + For thou art still to treachery prone, + Though gentle now in word and tone; + But that imperial crown thou wearest, + That mace which thou in battle bearest, + Thy kingdom, all, thou must resign; + Thy army too--for all are mine! + Thou talk'st of strength, and might, and power, + When revelling in a prosperous hour; + But know, that strength of nerve and limb + We owe to God--it comes from Him! + And victory's palm, and regal sway, + Alike the will of Heaven obey. + Hence thy lost throne, no longer thine, + Will soon, perfidious king! be mine!" + +In giving this letter to Kárun, Kai-khosráu directed him, in the first +place, to deliver a message from him to Shydah, to the following +effect:-- + + "Driven art thou out from home and life, + Doomed to engage in mortal strife, + For deeply lours misfortune's cloud; + That gay attire will be thy shroud; + Blood from thy father's eyes will gush, + As Káús wept for Saiáwush." + +In the morning Khosráu went to the appointed place, and when he +approached Shydah, the latter said, "Thou hast come on foot, let our +trial be in wrestling;" and the proposal being agreed to, both applied +themselves fiercely to the encounter, at a distance from the troops. + + The youth appeared with joyous mien, + And bounding heart, for life was new; + By either host the strife was seen, + And strong and fierce the combat grew. + +Shydah exerted his utmost might, but was unable to move his antagonist +from the ground; whilst Khosráu lifted him up without difficulty, and, +dashing him on the plain, + + He sprang upon him as the lion fierce + Springs on the nimble gor, then quickly drew + His deadly dagger, and with cruel aim, + Thrust the keen weapon through the stripling's heart. + +Khosráu, immediately after slaying him, ordered the body to be washed +with musk and rose-water, and, after burial, a tomb to be raised to his +memory. + +When Kárun reached the court of Afrásiyáb with the answer to the offer +of peace, intelligence had previously arrived that Shydah had fallen in +the combat, which produced in the mind of the father the greatest +anguish. He gave no reply to Kárun, but ordered the drums and trumpets +to be sounded, and instantly marched with a large army against the +enemy. The two hosts were soon engaged, the anger of the Túránians being +so much roused and sharpened by the death of the prince, that they were +utterly regardless of their lives. The battle, therefore, was fought +with unusual fury. + + Two sovereigns in the field, in desperate strife, + Each by a grievous cause of wrath, urged on + To glut revenge; this, for a father's life + Wantonly sacrificed; that for a son + Slain in his prime.--The carnage has begun, + And blood is seen to flow on every side; + Thousands are slaughtered ere the day is done, + And weltering swell the sanguinary tide; + And why? To soothe man's hate, his cruelty, and pride. + +The battle terminated in the discomfiture and defeat of the Túránians, +who fled from the conquerors in the utmost confusion. The people seized +hold of the bridle of Afrásiyáb's horse, and obliged him to follow his +scattered army. + +Kai-khosráu having despatched an account of his victory to Káús, went in +pursuit of Afrásiyáb, traversing various countries and provinces, till +he arrived on the borders of Chín. The Khakán, or sovereign of that +state, became in consequence greatly alarmed, and presented to him large +presents to gain his favor, but the only object of Khosráu was to secure +Afrásiyáb, and he told the ambassador that if his master dared to afford +him protection, he would lay waste the whole kingdom. The Khakán +therefore withdrew his hospitable services, and the abandoned king was +compelled to seek another place of refuge. + + + +THE DEATH OF AFRÁSIYÁB + +Melancholy and afflicted, Afrásiyáb penetrated through wood and desert, +and entered the province of Mikrán, whither he was followed by +Kai-khosráu and his army. He then quitted Mikrán, but his followers had +fallen off to a small number and to whatever country or region he +repaired for rest and protection, none was given, lest the vengeance of +Kai-khosráu should be hurled upon the offender. Still pursued and hunted +like a wild beast, and still flying from his enemies, the small retinue +which remained with him at last left him, and he was left alone, +dejected, destitute, and truly forlorn. In this state of desertion he +retired into a cave, where he hoped to continue undiscovered and unseen. + +It chanced, however, that a man named Húm, of the race of Feridún, dwelt +hard by. He was remarkable for his strength and bravery, but had +peacefully taken up his abode upon the neighboring mountain, and was +passing a religious life without any communication with the busy world. +His dwelling was a little way above the cave of Afrásiyáb. One night he +heard a voice of lamentation below, and anxious to ascertain from whom +and whence it proceeded, he stole down to the spot and listened. The +mourner spoke in the Turkish language, and said:--"O king of Túrán and +Chín, where is now thy pomp and power! How has Fortune cast away thy +throne and thy treasure to the winds?" Hearing these words Húm +conjectured that this must be Afrásiyáb; and as he had suffered severely +from the tyranny of that monarch, his feelings of vengeance were +awakened, and he approached nearer to be certain that it was he. The +same lamentations were repeated, and he felt assured that it was +Afrásiyáb himself. He waited patiently, however, till morning dawned, +and then he called out at the mouth of the cave:--"O, king of the world! +come out of thy cave, and obtain thy desires! I have left the invisible +sphere to accomplish thy wishes. Appear!" Afrásiyáb thinking this a +spiritual call, went out of the cave and was instantly recognized by +Húm, who at the same moment struck him a severe blow on the forehead, +which felled him to the earth, and then secured his hands behind his +back. When the monarch found himself in fetters and powerless, he +complained of the cruelty inflicted upon him, and asked Húm why he had +treated a stranger in that manner. Húm replied: "How many a prince of +the race of Feridún hast thou sacrificed to thy ambition? How many a +heart hast thou broken? I, too, am one who was compelled to fly from thy +persecutions, and take refuge here on this desert mountain, and +constantly have I prayed for thy ruin that I might be released from this +miserable mode of existence, and be permitted to return to my paternal +home. My prayer has been heard at last, and God has delivered thee into +my hands. But how earnest thou hither, and by what strange vicissitudes +art thou thus placed before me?" Afrásiyáb communicated to him the story +of his misfortunes, and begged of him rather to put him to death on the +spot than convey him to Kai-khosráu. But Húm was too much delighted with +having the tyrant under his feet to consider either his safety or his +feelings, and was not long in bringing him to the Persian king. +Kai-khosráu received the prisoner with exultation, and made Húm a +magnificent present. He well recollected the basin and the dagger used +in the murder of Saiáwush, and commanded the presence of the treacherous +Gersíwaz, that he and Afrásiyáb might suffer, in every respect, the same +fate together. The basin was brought, and the two victims were put to +death, like two goats, their heads being chopped off from their bodies. + +After this sanguinary catastrophe, Kai-khosráu returned to Irán, leaving +Rustem to proceed to his own principality. Kai-káús quitted his palace, +according to his established custom, to welcome back the conqueror. He +kissed his head and face, and showered upon him praises and blessings +for the valor he had displayed, and the deeds he had done, and +especially for having so signally revenged the cruel murder of his +father Saiáwush. + + + +THE DEATH OF KAI-KHOSRÁU + +Kai-khosráu at last became inspired by an insurmountable attachment to a +religious life, and thought only of devotion to God. Thus influenced by +a disposition peculiar to ascetics, he abandoned the duties of +sovereignty, and committed all state affairs to the care of his +ministers. The chiefs and warriors remonstrated respectfully against +this mode of government, and trusted that he would devote only a few +hours in the day to the transactions of the kingdom, and the remainder +to prayer and religious exercises; but this he refused, saying:--"One +heart is not equal to both duties; my affections indeed are not for this +transitory world, and I trust to be an inhabitant of the world to come." +The nobles were in great sorrow at this declaration, and anxiously +applied to Zál and Rustem, in the hopes of working some change in the +king's disposition. On their arrival the people cried to them:-- + + "Some evil eye has smote the king;--Iblís + By wicked wiles has led his soul astray, + And withered all life's pleasures. O release + Our country from the sorrow, the dismay + Which darkens every heart:--his ruin stay. + Is it not mournful thus to see him cold + And gloomy, casting pomp and joy away? + Restore him to himself; let us behold + Again the victor-king, the generous, just and bold." + +Zál and Rustem went to the palace of the king in a melancholy mood, and +Khosráu having heard of their approach, enquired of them why they had +left Sístán. They replied that the news of his having relinquished all +concern in the affairs of the kingdom had induced them to wait upon him. +"I am weary of the troubles of this life," said he composedly, "and +anxious to prepare for a future state." "But death," observed Zál, "is a +great evil. It is dreadful to die!" Upon this the king said:--"I cannot +endure any longer the deceptions and the perfidy of mankind. My love of +heaven is so great that I cannot exist one moment without devotion and +prayer. Last night a mysterious voice whispered in my ear:--The time of +thy departure is nigh, prepare the load for thy journey, and neglect not +thy warning angel, or the opportunity will be lost." When Zál and Rustem +saw that Khosráu was resolved, and solemnly occupied in his devotions, +they were for some time silent. But Zál was at length moved, and +said:--"I will go into retirement and solitude with the king, and by +continual prayer, and through his blessing, I too may be forgiven." +"This, indeed," said the king, "is not the place for me. I must seek out +a solitary cell, and there resign my soul to heaven." Zál and Rustem +wept, and quitted the palace, and all the warriors were in the deepest +affliction. + +The next day Kai-khosráu left his apartment, and called together his +great men and warriors, and said to them:-- + + "That which I sought for, I have now obtained. + Nothing remains of worldly wish, or hope, + To disappoint or vex me. I resign + The pageantry of kings, and turn away + From all the pomp of the Kaiánian throne, + Sated with human grandeur.--Now, farewell! + Such is my destiny. To those brave friends, + Who, ever faithful, have my power upheld, + I will discharge the duty of a king, + Paying the pleasing debt of gratitude." + +He then ordered his tents to be pitched in the desert, and opened his +treasury, and for seven days made a sumptuous feast, and distributed +food and money among the indigent, the widows, and orphans, and every +destitute person was abundantly supplied with the necessaries of life, +so that there was no one left in a state of want throughout the empire. +He also attended to the claims of his warriors. To Rustem he gave Zábul, +and Kábul, and Ním-rúz. He appointed Lohurásp, the son-in-law of +Kai-káús, successor to his throne, and directed all his people to pay +the same allegiance to him as they had done to himself; and they +unanimously consented, declaring their firm attachment to his person and +government. He appointed Gúdarz the chief minister, and Gíw to the chief +command of the armies. To Tús he gave Khorassán; and he said to Fríburz, +the son of Káús:--"Be thou obedient, I beseech thee, to the commands of +Lohurásp, whom I have instructed, and brought up with paternal care; for +I know of no one so well qualified in the art of governing a kingdom." +The warriors of Irán were surprised, and murmured together, that the son +of Kai-káús should be thus placed under the authority of Lohurásp. But +Zál observed to them:--"If it be the king's will, it is enough!" The +murmurs of the warriors having reached Kai-khosráu, he sent for them, +and addressed them thus:--"Fríburz is well known to be unequal to the +functions of sovereignty; but Lohurásp is enlightened, and fully +comprehends all the duties of regal sway. He is a descendant of Húsheng, +wise and merciful, and God is my witness, I think him perfectly +calculated to make a nation happy." Hearing this eulogium on the +character of the new king from Kai-khosráu, all the warriors expressed +their satisfaction, and anticipated a glorious reign. Khosráu further +said:--"I must now address you on another subject. In my dreams a +fountain has been pointed out to me; and when I visit that fountain, my +life will be resigned to its Creator." He then bid farewell to all the +people around him, and commenced his journey; and when he had +accomplished one stage he pitched his tent. Next day he resumed his +task, and took leave of Zál and Rustem; who wept bitterly as they parted +from him. + + "Alas!" they said, "that one on whom + Heaven has bestowed a mind so great, + A heart so brave, should seek the tomb, + And not his hour in patience wait. + The wise in wonder gaze, and say, + No mortal being ever trod + Before, the dim supernal way, + And living, saw the face of God!" + +After Zál and Rustem, then Khosráu took leave of Gúdarz and Gíw and Tús, +and Gustahem, but unwilling to go back, they continued with him. He soon +arrived at the promised fountain, in which he bathed. He then said to +his followers:--"Now is the time for our separation;--you must go;" +but they still remained. Again he said:--"You must go quickly; for +presently heavy showers of snow will fall, and a tempestuous wind will +arise, and you will perish in the storm." Saying this, he went into the +fountain, and vanished! + + And not a trace was left behind, + And not a dimple on the wave; + All sought, but sought in vain, to find + The spot which proved Kai-khosráu's grave! + +The king having disappeared in this extraordinary manner, a loud +lamentation ascended from his followers; and when the paroxysm of +amazement and sorrow had ceased, Fríburz said:--"Let us now refresh +ourselves with food, and rest awhile." Accordingly those that remained +ate a little, and were soon afterwards overcome with sleep. Suddenly a +great wind arose, and the snow fell and clothed the earth in white, and +all the warriors and soldiers who accompanied Kai-khosráu to the +mysterious fountain, and amongst them Tús and Fríburz, and Gíw, were +while asleep overwhelmed in the drifts of snow. Not a man survived. +Gúdarz had returned when about half-way on the road; and not hearing for +a long time any tidings of his companions, sent a person to ascertain +the cause of their delay. Upon proceeding to the fatal place, the +messenger, to his amazement and horror, found them all stiff and +lifeless under the snow! + + + +LOHURÁSP + +The reputation of Lohurásp was of the highest order, and it is said that +his administration of the affairs of his kingdom was more just and +paternal than even that of Kai-khosráu. "The counsel which Khosráu gave +me," said he, "was wise and admirable; but I find that I must go beyond +him in moderation and clemency to the poor." Lohurásp had four sons, two +by the daughter of Kai-káús, one named Ardshír, and the other Shydasp; +and two by another woman, and they were named Gushtásp and Zarír. But +Gushtásp was intrepid, acute, and apparently marked out for sovereignty, +and on account of his independent conduct, no favorite with his father; +in defiance of whom, with a rebellious spirit, he collected together a +hundred thousand horsemen, and proceeded with them towards Hindústán of +his own accord. Lohurásp sent after him his brother Zarír, with a +thousand horsemen, in the hopes of influencing him to return; but when +Zarír overtook him and endeavored to persuade him not to proceed any +further, he said to him, with an animated look:-- + + "Proceed no farther!--Well thou know'st + We've no Kaiánian blood to boast, + And, therefore, but a minor part + In Lohurásp's paternal heart. + Nor thou, nor I, can ever own + From him the diadem or throne. + The brothers of Káús's race + By birth command the brightest place, + Then what remains for us? We must + To other means our fortunes trust. + We cannot linger here, and bear + A life of discontent--despair." + +Zarír, however, reasoned with him so winningly and effectually, that at +last he consented to return; but only upon the condition that he should +be nominated heir to the throne, and treated with becoming respect and +ceremony. Zarír agreed to interpose his efforts to this end, and brought +him back to his father; but it was soon apparent that Lohurásp had no +inclination to promote the elevation of Gushtásp in preference to the +claims of his other sons; and indeed shortly afterwards manifested to +what quarter his determination on this subject was directed. It was +indeed enough that his determination was unfavorable to the views of +Gushtásp, who now, in disgust, fled from his father's house, but without +any attendants, and shaped his course towards Rúm. Lohurásp again sent +Zarír in quest of him; but the youth, after a tedious search, returned +without success. Upon his arrival in Rúm, Gushtásp chose a solitary +retirement, where he remained some time, and was at length compelled by +poverty and want, to ask for employment in the establishment of the +sovereign of that country, stating that he was an accomplished scribe, +and wrote a beautiful hand. He was told to wait a few days, as at that +time there was no vacancy. But hunger was pressing, and he could not +suffer delay; he therefore went to the master of the camel-drivers and +asked for service, but he too had no vacancy. However, commiserating the +distressed condition of the applicant, he generously supplied him with a +hearty meal. After that, Gushtásp went into a blacksmith's shop, and +asked for work, and his services were accepted. The blacksmith put the +hammer into his hands, and the first blow he struck was given with such +force, that he broke the anvil to pieces. The blacksmith was amazed and +angry, and indignantly turned him out of his shop, uttering upon him a +thousand violent reproaches. + + Wounded in spirit, broken-hearted, + Misfortune darkening o'er his head, + To other lands he then departed, + To seek another home for bread. + +Disconsolate and wretched, he proceeded on his journey, and observing a +husbandman standing in a field of corn, he approached the spot and sat +down. The husbandman seeing a strong muscular youth, apparently a +Túránian, sitting in sorrow and tears, went up to him and asked him the +cause of his grief, and he soon became acquainted with all the +circumstances of the stranger's life. Pitying his distress, he took him +home and gave him some food. + +After having partaken sufficiently of the refreshments placed before +him, Gushtásp inquired of his host to what tribe he belonged, and from +whom he was descended. "I am descended from Feridún," rejoined he, "and +I belong to the Kaiánian tribe. My occupation in this retired spot is, +as thou seest, the cultivation of the ground, and the customs and duties +of husbandry." Gushtásp said, "I am myself descended from Húsheng, who +was the ancestor of Feridún; we are, therefore, of the same origin." In +consequence of this connection, Gushtásp and the husbandman lived +together on the most friendly footing for a considerable time. At length +the star of his fortune began to illumine his path, and the favor of +Heaven became manifest. + +It was the custom of the king of Rúm, when his daughters came of age, to +give a splendid banquet, and to invite to it all the youths of +illustrious birth in the kingdom, in order that each might select one of +them most suited to her taste, for her future husband. His daughter +Kitabún was now of age, and in conformity with the established practice, +the feast was prepared, and the youths of royal descent invited; but it +so happened that not one of them was sufficiently attractive for her +choice, and the day passed over unprofitably. She had been told in a +dream that a youth of a certain figure and aspect had arrived in the +kingdom from Irán, and that to him she was destined to be married. But +there was not one at her father's banquet who answered to the +description of the man she had seen in her dream, and in consequence she +was disappointed. On the following day the feast was resumed. She had +again dreamt of the youth to whom she was to be united. She had +presented to him a bunch of roses, and he had given her a rose-branch, +and each regarded the other with smiles of mutual satisfaction. In the +morning Kitabún issued a proclamation, inviting all the young men of +royal extraction, whether natives of the kingdom or strangers, to her +father's feast. On that day Gushtásp and the husbandman had come into +the city from the country, and hearing the proclamation the latter said: +"Let us go, for in this lottery the prize may be drawn in thy name." +They accordingly went. Kitabún's handmaid was in waiting at the door, +and kept every young man standing awhile, that her mistress might mark +him well before she allowed him to pass into the banquet. The keen eyes +of Kitabún soon saw Gushtásp, and her heart instantly acknowledged him +as her promised lord, for he was the same person she had seen in her +dream. + + As near the graceful stripling drew, + She cried:--"My dream, my dream is true! + Fortune from visions of the night + Has brought him to my longing sight. + Truth has portrayed his form divine; + He lives--he lives--and he is mine!" + +She presently descended from her balcony, and gave him a bunch of roses, +the token by which her choice was made known, and then retired. The +king, when he heard of what she had done, was exceedingly irritated, +thinking that her affections were placed on a beggar, or some nameless +stranger of no birth or fortune, and his first impulse was to have her +put to death. But his people assembled around him, and said:--"What can +be the use of killing her?--It is in vain to resist the flood of +destiny, for what will be, will be. + + "The world itself is governed still by Fate, + Fate rules the warrior's and the monarch's state; + And woman's heart, the passions of her soul, + Own the same power, obey the same control; + For what can love's impetuous force restrain? + Blood may be shed, but what will be thy gain?" + +After this remonstrance he desired enquiries to be made into the +character and parentage of his proposed son-in-law, and was told his +name, the name of his father, and of his ancestors, and the causes which +led to his present condition. But he would not believe a word of the +narration. He was then informed of his daughter's dream, and other +particulars: and he so far relented as to sanction the marriage; but +indignantly drove her from his house, with her husband, without a dowry, +or any money to supply themselves with food. + +Gushtásp and his wife took refuge in a miserable cell, which they +inhabited, and when necessity pressed, he used to cross the river, and +bring in an elk or wild ass from the forest, give half of it to the +ferryman for his trouble, and keep the remainder for his own board, so +that he and the ferryman became great friends by these mutual +obligations. It is related that a person of distinction, named Mabrín, +solicited the king's second daughter in marriage; and Ahrun, another man +of rank, was anxious to be espoused to the third, or youngest; but the +king was unwilling to part with either of them, and openly declared his +sentiments to that effect. Mabrín, however, was most assiduous and +persevering in his attentions, and at last made some impression on the +father, who consented to permit the marriage of the second daughter, but +only on the following conditions: "There is," said he, "a monstrous wolf +in the neighboring forest, extremely ferocious, and destructive to my +property. I have frequently endeavored to hunt him down, but without +success. If Mabrín can destroy the animal, I will give him my daughter." +When these conditions were communicated to Mabrín, he considered it +impossible that they could be fulfilled, and looked upon the proposal as +an evasion of the question. One day, however, the ferryman having heard +of Mabrín's disappointment, told him that there was no reason to +despair, for he knew a young man, married to one of the king's +daughters, who crossed the river every day, and though only a +pedestrian, brought home regularly an elk-deer on his back. "He is +truly," added he, "a wonderful youth, and if you can by any means secure +his assistance, I have no doubt but that his activity and strength will +soon put an end to the wolfs depredations, by depriving him of life." + +This intelligence was received with great pleasure by Mabrín, who +hastened to Gushtásp, and described to him his situation, and the +conditions required. Gushtásp in reply said, that he would be glad to +accomplish for him the object of his desires, and at an appointed time +proceeded towards the forest, accompanied by Mabrín and the ferryman. +When the party arrived at the borders of the wilderness which the wolf +frequented, Gushtásp left his companions behind, and advanced alone into +the interior, where he soon found the dreadful monster, in size larger +than an elephant, and howling terribly, ready to spring upon him. But +the hand and eye of Gushtásp were too active to allow of his being +surprised, and in an instant he shot two arrows at once into the foaming +beast, which, irritated by the deep wound, now rushed furiously upon +him, without, however, doing him any serious injury; then with the +rapidity of lightning, Gushtásp drew his sharp sword, and with one +tremendous stroke cut the wolf in two, deluging the ground with bubbling +blood. Having performed this prodigious exploit, he called Mabrín and +the ferryman to see what he had done, and they were amazed at his +extraordinary intrepidity and muscular power, but requested, in order +that the special object of the lover might be obtained, that he would +conceal his name, for a time at least. Mabrín, satisfied on this point, +then repaired to the emperor, and claimed his promised bride, as the +reward for his labor. The king of Rúm little expected this result, and +to assure himself of the truth of what he had heard, bent his way to the +forest, where he was convinced, seeing with astonishment and delight +that the wolf was really killed. He had now no further pretext, and +therefore fulfilled his engagement, by giving his daughter to Mabrín. + +It was now Ahrun's turn to repeat his solicitations for the youngest +daughter. The king of Rúm had another evil to root out, so that he was +prepared to propose another condition. This was to destroy a hideous +dragon that had taken possession of a neighboring mountain. Ahrun, on +hearing the condition was in as deep distress as Mabrín had been, until +he accidentally became acquainted with the ferryman, who described to +him the generosity and fearless bravery of Gushtásp. He immediately +applied to him, and the youth readily undertook the enterprise, +saying:--"No doubt the monster's teeth are long and sharp, bring me +therefore a dagger, and fasten round it a number of knives." Ahrun did +so accordingly, and Gushtásp proceeded to the mountain. As soon as the +dragon smelt the approach of a human being, flames issued from his +nostrils, and he darted forward to devour the intruder, but was driven +back by a number of arrows, rapidly discharged into his head and mouth. +Again he advanced, but Gushtásp dodged round him, and continued driving +arrows into him to the extent of forty, which subdued his strength, and +made him writhe in agony. He then fixed the dagger, which was armed at +right angles with knives, upon his spear, and going nearer, thrust it +down his gasping throat. + + Dreadful the weapon each two-edged blade + Cut deep into the jaws on either side, + And the fierce monster, thinking to dislodge it, + Crushed it between his teeth with all his strength, + Which pressed it deeper in the flesh, when blood + And poison issued from the gaping wounds; + Then, as he floundered on the earth exhausted, + Seizing the fragment of a flinty rock, + Gushtásp beat out the brains, and soon the beast + In terrible struggles died. Two deadly fangs + Then wrenched he from the jaws, to testify + The wonderful exploit he had performed. + +When he descended from the mountain, these two teeth were delivered to +Ahrun, and they were afterwards conveyed to the king, who could not +believe his own eyes, but ascended the mountain himself to ascertain the +fact, and there he beheld with amazement the dragon lifeless, and +covered with blood. "And didst thou thyself kill this terrific dragon?" +said he. "Yes," replied Ahrun. "And wilt thou swear to God that this is +thy own achievement? It must be either the exploit of a demon, or of a +certain Kaiánian, who resides in this neighborhood." But there was no +one to disprove his assertion, and therefore the king could no longer +refuse to surrender to him his youngest daughter. + +And now between Gushtásp, and Mabrín, and Ahrun, the warmest friendship +subsisted. Indeed they were seldom parted; and the three sisters +remained together with equal affection. One day Kitabún, the wife of +Gushtásp, in conversation with some of her female acquaintance, let out +the secret that her husband was the person who killed the wolf and the +dragon. + +No sooner was this story told, than it spread, and in the end reached +the ears of the queen, who immediately communicated it to the king, +saying:--"This is the work of Gushtásp, thy son-in-law, of him thou hast +banished from thy presence--of him who nobly would not disclose his +name, before Mabrín and Ahrun had attained the object of their wishes." +The king said in reply that it was just as he had suspected; and sending +for Gushtásp, conferred upon him great honor, and appointed him to the +chief command of his army. + +Having thus possessed himself of a leader of such skill and intrepidity, +he thought it necessary to turn his attention to external conquest, and +accordingly addressed a letter to Alíás, the ruler of Khuz, in which he +said:--"Thou hast hitherto enjoyed thy kingdom in peace and +tranquillity; but thou must now resign it to me, or prepare for war." +Alíás on receiving this imperious and haughty menace collected his +forces together, and advanced to the contest, and the king of Rúm +assembled his own troops with equal expedition, under the direction of +Gushtásp. The battle was fought with great valor on both sides, and +blood flowed in torrents. Gushtásp challenged Alíás to single combat, +and the warriors met; but in a short time the enemy was thrown from his +horse, and dragged by the young conqueror, in fetters, before the king. +The troops witnessing the prowess of Gushtásp, quickly fled; and the +king commencing a hot pursuit, soon entered their city victoriously, +subdued the whole kingdom, and plundered it of all its property and +wealth. He also gained over the army, and with this powerful addition to +his own forces, and with the booty he had secured, returned triumphantly +to Rúm. + +In consequence of this brilliant success, the king conferred additional +honors on Gushtásp, who now began to display the ambition which he had +long cherished. Aspiring to the sovereignty of Irán, he spoke to the +Rúmí warriors on the subject of an invasion of that country, but they +refused to enter into his schemes, conceiving that there was no chance +of success. At this Gushtásp took fire, and declared that he knew the +power and resources of his father perfectly, and that the conquest would +be attended with no difficulty. He then went to the king, and said: "Thy +chiefs are afraid to fight against Lohurásp; I will myself undertake the +task with even an inconsiderable army." The king was overjoyed, and +kissed his head and face, and loaded him with presents, and ordered his +secretary to write to Lohurásp in the following terms: "I am anxious to +meet thee in battle, but if thou art not disposed to fight, I will +permit thee to remain at peace, on condition of surrendering to me half +thy kingdom. Should this be refused, I will myself deprive thee of thy +whole sovereignty." When this letter was conveyed by the hands of Kabús +to Irán, Lohurásp, upon reading it, was moved to laughter, and +exclaimed, "What is all this? The king of Rúm has happened to obtain +possession of the little kingdom of Khuz, and he has become insane with +pride!" He then asked Kabús by what means he accomplished the capture of +Khuz, and how he managed to kill Alíás. The messenger replied, that his +success was owing to a youth of noble aspect and invincible courage, who +had first destroyed a ferocious wolf, then a dragon, and had afterwards +dragged Alíás from his horse, with as much ease as if he had been a +chicken, and laid him prostrate at the feet of the king of Rúm. Lohurásp +enquired his name, and he answered, Gushtásp. "Does he resemble in +feature any person in this assembly?" Kabús looked round about him, and +pointed to Zarír, from which Lohurásp concluded that it must be his own +son, and sat silent. But he soon determined on what answer to send, and +it was contained in the following words: "Do not take me for an Alíás, +nor think that one hero of thine is competent to oppose me. I have a +hundred equal to him. Continue, therefore, to pay me tribute, or I will +lay waste thy whole country." With this letter he dismissed Kabús; and +as soon as the messenger had departed, addressed himself to Zarír, +saying: "Thou must go in the character of an ambassador from me to the +king of Rúm, and represent to him the justice and propriety of +preserving peace. After thy conference with him repair to the house of +Gushtásp, and in my name ask his forgiveness for what I have done. I was +not before aware of his merit, and day and night I think of him with +repentance and sorrow. Tell him to pardon his old father's infirmities, +and come back to Irán, to his own country and home, that I may resign to +him my crown and throne, and like Kai-khosráu, take leave of the world. +It is my desire to deliver myself up to prayer and devotion, and to +appoint Gushtásp my successor, for he appears to be eminently worthy of +that honor." Zarír acted scrupulously, in conformity with his +instructions; and having first had an interview with the king, hastened +to the house of his brother, by whom he was received with affection and +gladness. After the usual interchange of congratulations and enquiry, he +stated to him the views and the resolutions of his father, who on the +faith of his royal word promised to appoint him his successor, and +thought of him with the most cordial attachment. Gushtásp was as much +astonished as delighted with this information, and his anxiety being +great to return to his own country, he that very night, accompanied by +his wife Kitabún, and Zarír, set out for Irán. Approaching the city, he +was met by an istakbál, or honorary deputation of warriors, sent by the +king; and when he arrived at court, Lohurásp descended from his throne +and embraced him with paternal affection, shedding tears of contrition +for having previously treated him not only with neglect but severity. +However he now made him ample atonement, and ordering a golden chair of +royalty to be constructed and placed close to his own, they both sat +together, and the people by command tendered to him unanimously their +respect and allegiance. Lohurásp repeatedly said to him:-- + + "What has been done was Fate's decree, + Man cannot strive with destiny. + To be unfeeling once was mine, + At length to be a sovereign thine." + + Thus spoke the king, and kissed the crown, + And gave it to his valiant son. + +Soon afterwards he relinquished all authority in the empire, assumed the +coarse habit of a recluse, retired to a celebrated place of pilgrimage, +near Balkh. There, in a solitary cell, he devoted the remainder of his +life to prayer and the worship of God. The period of Lohurásp's +government lasted one hundred and twenty years. + + + +GUSHTÁSP, AND THE FAITH OF ZERDUSHT + + I've said preceding sovereigns worshipped God, + By whom their crowns were given to protect + The people from oppressors; Him they served, + Acknowledging His goodness--for to Him, + The pure, unchangeable, the Holy One! + They owed their greatness and their earthly power. + But after times produced idolatry, + And Pagan faith, and then His name was lost + In adoration of created things. + +Gushtásp had by his wife Kitabún, the daughter of the king of Rúm, two +sons named Isfendiyár and Bashútan, who were remarkable for their piety +and devotion to the Almighty. Being the great king, all the minor +sovereigns paid him tribute, excepting Arjásp, the ruler of Chín and +Má-chín, whose army consisted of Díws, and Peris, and men; for +considering him of superior importance, he sent him yearly the usual +tributary present. In those days lived Zerdusht, the Guber, who was +highly accomplished in the knowledge of divine things; and having waited +upon Gushtásp, the king became greatly pleased with his learning and +piety, and took him into his confidence. The philosopher explained to +him the doctrines of the fire-worshippers, and by his art he reared a +tree before the house of Gushtásp, beautiful in its foliage and +branches, and whoever ate of the leaves of that tree became learned and +accomplished in the mysteries of the future world, and those who ate of +the fruit thereof became perfect in wisdom and holiness. + +In consequence of the illness of Lohurásp, who was nearly at the point +of death, Zerdusht went to Balkh for the purpose of administering relief +to him, and he happily succeeded in restoring him to health. On his +return he was received with additional favor by Gushtásp, who +immediately afterwards became his disciple. Zerdusht then told him that +he was the prophet of God, and promised to show him miracles. He said he +had been to heaven and to hell. He could send anyone, by prayer, to +heaven; and whomsoever he was angry with he could send to hell. He had +seen the seven mansions of the celestial regions, and the thrones of +sapphires, and all the secrets of heaven were made known to him by his +attendant angel. He said that the sacred book, called Zendavesta, +descended from above expressly for him, and that if Gushtásp followed +the precepts in that blessed volume, he would attain celestial felicity. +Gushtásp readily became a convert to his principles, forsaking the pure +adoration of God for the religion of the fire-worshippers. + +The philosopher further said that he had prepared a ladder, by which he +had ascended into heaven and had seen the Almighty. This made the +disciple still more obedient to Zerdusht. One day he asked Gushtásp why +he condescended to pay tribute to Arjásp; "God is on thy side," said he, +"and if thou desirest an extension of territory, the whole country of +Chin may be easily conquered." Gushtásp felt ashamed at this reproof, +and to restore his character, sent a dispatch to Arjásp, in which he +said, "Former kings who paid thee tribute did so from terror only, but +now the empire is mine; and it is my will, and I have the power, to +resist the payment of it in future." This letter gave great offence to +Arjásp; who at once suspected that the fire-worshipper, Zerdusht, had +poisoned his mind, and seduced him from his pure and ancient religion, +and was attempting to circumvent and lead him to his ruin. He answered +him thus: "It is well known that thou hast now forsaken the right path, +and involved thyself in darkness. Thou hast chosen a guide possessed of +the attributes of Iblís, who with the art of a magician has seduced thee +from the worship of the true God, from that God who gave thee thy +kingdom and thy grandeur. Thy father feared God, and became a holy +Dírvesh, whilst thou hast lost thy way in wickedness and impiety. It +will therefore be a meritorious action in me to vindicate the true +worship and oppose thy blasphemous career with all my demons. In a month +or two I will enter thy kingdom with fire and sword, and destroy thy +authority and thee. I would give thee good advice; do not be influenced +by a wicked counsellor, but return to thy former religious practices. +Weigh well, therefore, what I say." Arjásp sent this letter by two of +his demons, familiar with sorcery; and when it was delivered into the +hands of Gushtásp, a council was held to consider its contents, to which +Zerdusht was immediately summoned. Jamásp, the minister, said that the +subject required deep thought, and great prudence was necessary in +framing a reply; but Zerdusht observed, that the only reply was +obvious--nothing but war could be thought of. At this moment Isfendiyár +gallantly offered to lead the army, but Zarír, his uncle, objected to +him on account of his extreme youth, and proposed to take the command +himself, which Gushtásp agreed to, and the two demon-envoys were +dismissed. The answer was briefly as follows:-- + + "Thy boast is that thou wilt in two short months + Ravage my country, scathe with fire and sword + The empire of Irán; but on thyself + Heap not destruction; pause before thy pride + Hurries thee to thy ruin. I will open + The countless treasures of the realm; my warriors, + A thousand thousand, armed with shining steel, + Shall overrun thy kingdom; I myself + Will crush that head of thine beneath my feet." + +The result of these menaces was the immediate prosecution of the war, +and no time was lost by Arjásp in hastening into Irán. + + Plunder and devastation marked his course, + The villages were all involved in flames, + Palace of pride, low cot, and lofty tower; + The trees dug up, and root and branch destroyed. + Gushtásp then hastened to repel his foes; + But to his legions they seemed wild and strange, + And terrible in aspect, and no light + Could struggle through the gloom they had diffused, + To hide their progress. + +Zerdusht said to Gushtásp, "Ask thy vizir, Jamásp, what is written in +thy horoscope, that he may relate to thee the dispensations of heaven." +Jamásp, in reply to the inquiry, took the king aside and whispered +softly to him: "A great number of thy brethren, thy relations, and +warriors will be slain in the conflict, but in the end thou wilt be +victorious." Gushtásp deeply lamented the coming event, which involved +the destruction of his kinsmen, but did not shrink from the battle, for +he exulted in the anticipation of obtaining the victory. The contest was +begun with indescribable eagerness and impetuosity. + + Approaching, each a prayer addrest + To Heaven, and thundering forward prest; + Thick showers of arrows gloomed the sky, + The battle-storm raged long and high; + Above, black clouds their darkness spread, + Below, the earth with blood was red. + +Ardshír, the son of Lohurásp, and descended from Kai-káús, was one of +the first to engage; he killed many, and was at last killed himself. +After him, his brother Shydasp was killed. Then Bishú, the son of +Jamásp, urged on his steed, and with consummate bravery destroyed a +great number of warriors. Zarír, equally bold and intrepid, also rushed +amidst the host, and whether demons or men opposed him, they were all +laid lifeless on the field. He then rode up towards Arjásp, scattered +the ranks, and penetrated the headquarters, which put the king into +great alarm: for he exclaimed:--"What, have ye no courage, no shame! +whoever kills Zarír shall have a magnificent reward." Bai-derafsh, one +of the demons, animated by this offer, came forward, and with +remorseless fury attacked Zarír. The onset was irresistible, and the +young prince was soon overthrown and bathed in his own blood. The news +of the unfortunate catastrophe deeply affected Gushtásp, who cried, in +great grief: "Is there no one to take vengeance for this?" when +Isfendiyár presented himself, kissed the ground before his father, and +anxiously asked permission to engage the demon. Gushtásp assented, and +told him that if he killed the demon and defeated the enemy, he would +surrender to him his crown and throne. + + "When we from this destructive field return, + Isfendiyár, my son, shall wear the crown, + And be the glorious leader of my armies." + +Saying this, he dismounted from his famous black horse, called Behzád, +the gift of Kai-khosráu, and presented it to Isfendiyár. The greatest +clamor and lamentation had arisen among the Persian army, for they +thought that Bai-derafsh had committed such dreadful slaughter, the +moment of utter defeat was at hand, when Isfendiyár galloped forward, +mounted on Behzád, and turned the fortunes of the day. He saw the demon +with the mail of Zarír on his breast, foaming at the mouth with rage, +and called aloud to him, "Stand, thou murderer!" The stern voice, the +valor, and majesty of Isfendiyár, made the demon tremble, but he +immediately discharged a blow with his dagger at his new opponent, who +however seized the weapon with his left hand, and with his right plunged +a spear into the monster's breast, and drove it through his body. +Isfendiyár then cut off his head, remounted his horse, and that instant +was by the side of Bishú, the son of the vizir, into whose charge he +gave the severed head of Bai-derafsh, and the armor of Zarír. Bishú now +attired himself in his father's mail, and fastening the head on his +horse, declared that he would take his post close by Isfendiyár, +whatever might betide. Firshaid, another Iránian warrior, came to the +spot at the same moment, and expressed the same resolution, so that all +three, thus accidentally met, determined to encounter Arjásp and capture +him. Isfendiyár led the way, and the other two followed. Arjásp, seeing +that he was singled out by three warriors, and that the enemy's force +was also advancing to the attack in great numbers, gave up the struggle, +and was the first to retreat. His troops soon threw away their arms and +begged for quarter, and many of them were taken prisoners by the +Iránians. Gushtásp now approached the dead body of Zarír, and lamenting +deeply over his unhappy fate, placed him in a coffin, and built over him +a lofty monument, around which lights were ever afterwards kept burning, +night and day; and he also taught the people the worship of fire, and +was anxious to establish everywhere the religion of Zerdusht. + +Jamásp appointed officers to ascertain the number of killed in the +battle. Of Iránians there were thirty thousand, among whom were eight +hundred chiefs; and the enemy's loss amounted to nine hundred thousand, +and also eleven hundred and sixty-three chiefs. Gushtásp rejoiced at the +glorious result, and ordered the drums to be sounded to celebrate the +victory, and he increased his favor upon Zerdusht, who originated the +war, and told him to call his triumphant son, Isfendiyár, near him. + + The gallant youth the summons hears, + And midst the royal court appears, + Close by his father's side, + The mace, cow-headed, in his hand; + His air and glance express command, + And military pride. + + Gushtásp beholds with heart elate. + The conqueror so young, so great, + And places round his brows the crown, + The promised crown, the high reward, + Proud token of a mighty king's regard, + Conferred upon his own. + +After Gushtásp had crowned his son as his successor, he told him that he +must not now waste his time in peace and private gratification, but +proceed to the conquest of other countries. Zerdusht was also deeply +interested in his further operations, and recommended him to subdue +kingdoms for the purpose of diffusing everywhere the new religion, that +the whole world might be enlightened and edified. Isfendiyár instantly +complied, and the first kingdom he invaded was Rúm. The sovereign of +that country having no power nor means to resist the incursions of the +enemy, readily adopted the faith of Zerdusht, and accepted the sacred +book named Zendavesta, as his spiritual instructor. Isfendiyár +afterwards invaded Hindústán and Arabia, and several other countries, +and successfully established the religion of the fire-worshippers in +them all. + + Where'er he went he was received + With welcome, all the world believed, + And all with grateful feelings took + The Holy Zendavesta-book, + Proud their new worship to declare, + The worship of Isfendiyár. + +The young conqueror communicated by letters to his father the success +with which he had disseminated the religion of Zerdusht, and requested +to know what other enterprises required his aid. Gushtásp rejoiced +exceedingly, and commanded a grand banquet to be prepared. It happened +that Gurzam a warrior, was particularly befriended by the king, but +retaining secretly in his heart a bitter enmity to Isfendiyár, now took +an opportunity to gratify his malice, and privately told Gushtásp that +he had heard something highly atrocious in the disposition of the +prince. Gushtásp was anxious to know what it was; and he said, +"Isfendiyár has subdued almost every country in the world: he is a +dangerous person at the head of an immense army, and at this very moment +meditates taking Balkh, and making even thee his prisoner! + + "Thou know'st not that thy son Isfendiyár + Is hated by the army. It is said + Ambition fires his brain, and to secure + The empire to himself, his wicked aim + Is to rebel against his generous father. + This is the sum of my intelligence; + But thou'rt the king, I speak but what I hear." + +These malicious accusations by Gurzam insidiously made, produced great +vexation in the mind of Gushtásp. The banquet went on, and for three +days he drank wine incessantly, without sleep or rest because his sorrow +was extreme. On the fourth day he said to his minister: "Go with this +letter to Isfendiyár, and accompany him hither to me." Jamásp, the +minister, went accordingly on the mission, and when he arrived, the +prince said to him, "I have dreamt that my father is angry with +me."--"Then thy dream is true," replied Jamásp, "thy father is indeed +angry with thee."--"What crime, what fault have I committed? + + "Is it because I have with ceaseless toil + Spread wide the Zendavesta, and converted + Whole kingdoms to that faith? Is it because + For him I conquered those far-distant kingdoms, + With this good sword of mine? Why clouds his brow + Upon his son--some demon must have changed + His temper, once affectionate and kind, + Calling me to him thus in anger! Thou + Hast ever been my friend, my valued friend + Say, must I go? Thy counsel I require." + + "The son does wrong who disobeys his father, + Despising his command," Jamásp replied. + + "Yet," said Isfendiyár, "why should I go? + He is in wrath, it cannot be for good." + + "Know'st thou not that a father's wrath is kindness? + The anger of a father to his child + Is far more precious than the love and fondness + Felt by that child for him. 'Tis good to go, + Whatever the result, he is the king, + And more--he is thy father!" + +Isfendiyár immediately consented, and appointed Bahman, his eldest son, +to fill his place in the army during his absence. He had four sons: the +name of the second was Mihrbús; of the third, Avir; and of the fourth, +Núsháhder; and these three he took along with him on his journey. + +Before he had arrived at Balkh, Gushtásp had concerted measures to +secure him as a prisoner, with an appearance of justice and +impartiality. On his arrival, he waited on the king respectfully, and +was thus received: "Thou hast become the great king! Thou hast conquered +many countries, but why am I unworthy in thy sight? Thy ambition is +indeed excessive." Isfendiyár replied: "However great I may be, I am +still thy servant, and wholly at thy command." Upon hearing this, +Gushtásp turned towards his courtiers, and said, "What ought to be done +with that son, who in the lifetime of his father usurps his authority, +and even attempts to eclipse him in grandeur? What! I ask, should be +done with such a son!" + + "Such a son should either be + Broken on the felon tree, + Or in prison bound with chains, + Whilst his wicked life remains, + Else thyself, this kingdom, all + Will be ruined by his thrall!" + +To this heavy denunciation Isfendiyár replied: "I have received all my +honors from the king, by whom I am appointed to succeed to the throne; +but at his pleasure I willingly resign them." However, concession and +remonstrance were equally fruitless, and he was straightway ordered to +be confined in the tower-prison of the fort situated on the adjacent +mountain, and secured with chains. + + Dreadful the sentence: all who saw him wept; + And sternly they conveyed him to the tower, + Where to four columns, deeply fixed in earth, + And reaching to the skies, of iron formed, + They bound him; merciless they were to him + Who had given splendour to a mighty throne. + Mournful vicissitude! Thus pain and pleasure + Successive charm and tear the heart of man; + And many a day in that drear solitude, + He lingered, shedding tears of blood, till times + Of happier omen dawned upon his fortunes. + +Having thus made Isfendiyár secure in the mountain-prison, and being +entirely at ease about the internal safety of the empire, Gushtásp was +anxious to pay a visit to Zál and Rustem at Sístán, and to convert them +to the religion of Zerdusht. On his approach to Sístán he was met and +respectfully welcomed by Rustem. who afterwards in open assembly +received the Zendavesta and adopted the new faith, which he propagated +throughout his own territory; but, according to common report it was +fear of Gushtásp alone which induced him to pursue this course. Gushtásp +remained two years his guest, enjoying all kinds of recreation, and +particularly the sports of the field and the forests. + +When Bahman, the son of Isfendiyár, heard of the imprisonment of his +father, he, in grief and alarm, abandoned his trust, dismissed the army, +and proceeded to Balkh, where he joined his two brothers, and wept over +the fate of their unhappy father. + +In the meantime the news of the confinement of Isfendiyár, and the +absence of Gushtásp at Sístán, and the unprotected state of Balkh, +stimulated Arjásp to a further effort, and he despatched his son Kahram +with a large army towards the capital of the enemy, to carry into effect +his purpose of revenge. Lohurásp was still in religious retirement at +Balkh. The people were under great apprehension, and being without a +leader, anxiously solicited the old king to command them, but he said +that he had abandoned all earthly concerns, and had devoted himself to +God, and therefore could not comply with their entreaties. But they +would hear no denial, and, as it were, tore him from his place of refuge +and prayer. There were assembled only about one thousand horsemen, and +with these he advanced to battle; but what were they compared to the +hundred thousand whom they met, and by whom they were soon surrounded. +Their bravery was useless. They were at once overpowered and defeated, +and Lohurásp himself was unfortunately among the slain. + +Upon the achievement of his victory, Kahram entered Balkh in triumph, +made the people prisoners, and destroyed all the places of worship +belonging to the Gubers. He also killed the keeper of the altar, and +burnt the Zendavesta, which contained the formulary of their doctrines +and belief. + +One of the women of Gushtásp's household happened to elude the grasp of +the invader, and hastened to Sístán to inform the king of the disaster +that had occurred. "Thy father is killed, the city is taken, and thy +women and daughters in the power of the conqueror." Gushtásp received +the news with consternation, and prepared with the utmost expedition for +his departure. He invited Rustem to accompany him, but the champion +excused himself at the time, and afterwards declined altogether on the +plea of sickness. Before he had yet arrived at Balkh, Kahram hearing of +his approach, went out to meet him with his whole army, and was joined +on the same day by Arjásp and his demon-legions. + + Great was the uproar, loud the brazen drums + And trumpets rung, the earth shook, and seemed rent + By that tremendous conflict, javelins flew + Like hail on every side, and the warm blood + Streamed from the wounded and the dying men. + The claim of kindred did not check the arm + Lifted in battle--mercy there was none, + For all resigned themselves to chance or fate, + Or what the ruling Heavens might decree. + +At last the battle terminated in the defeat of Gushtásp, who was pursued +till he was obliged to take refuge in a mountain-fort. He again +consulted Jamásp to know what the stars foretold, and Jamásp replied +that he would recover from the defeat through the exertions of +Isfendiyár alone. Pleased with this interpretation, he on that very day +sent Jamásp to the prison with a letter to Isfendiyár, in which he hoped +to be pardoned for the cruelty he had been guilty of towards him, in +consequence, he said, of being deceived by the arts and treachery of +those who were only anxious to effect his ruin. He declared too that he +would put those enemies to death in his presence, and replace the royal +crown upon his head. At the same time he confined in chains Gurzam, the +wretch who first practised upon his feelings. Jamásp rode immediately to +the prison, and delivering the letter, urged the prince to comply with +his father's entreaties, but Isfendiyár was incredulous and not so +easily to be moved. + + "Has he not at heart disdained me? + Has he not in prison chained me? + Am I not his son, that he + Treats me ignominiously? + + "Why should Gurzam's scorn and hate + Rouse a loving father's wrath? + Why should he, the foul ingrate, + Cast destruction in my path?" + +Jamásp, however, persevered in his anxious solicitations, describing to +him how many of his brethren and kindred had fallen, and also the +perilous situation of his own father if he refused his assistance. By a +thousand various efforts he at length effected his purpose, and the +blacksmith was called to take off his chains; but in removing them, the +anguish of the wounds they had inflicted was so great that Isfendiyár +fainted away. Upon his recovery he was escorted to the presence of his +father, who received him with open arms, and the strongest expressions +of delight. He begged to be forgiven for his unnatural conduct to him, +again resigned to him the throne of the empire, and appointed him to the +command of the imperial armies. He then directed Gurzam, upon whose +malicious counsel he had acted, to be brought before him, and the wicked +minister was punished with death on the spot, and in the presence of the +injured prince. + + Wretch! more relentless even than wolf or pard, + Thou hast at length received thy just reward! + +When Arjásp heard that Isfendiyár had been reconciled to his father, and +was approaching at the head of an immense army, he was affected with the +deepest concern, and forthwith sent his son Kahram to endeavor to resist +the progress of the enemy. At the same time Kurugsar, a gladiator of the +demon race, requested that he might be allowed to oppose Isfendiyár; and +permission being granted, he was the very first on the field, where +instantly wielding his bow, he shot an arrow at Isfendiyár, which +pierced through the mail, but fortunately for him did no serious harm. +The prince drew his sword with the intention of attacking him, but +seeing him furious with rage, and being doubtful of the issue, thought +it more prudent and safe to try his success with the noose. Accordingly +he took the kamund from his saddle-strap, and dexterously flung it round +the neck of his arrogant foe, who was pulled headlong from his horse: +and, as soon as his arms were bound behind his back, dragged a prisoner +in front of the Persian ranks. Isfendiyár then returned to the battle, +attacked a body of the enemy's auxiliaries, killed a hundred and sixty +of their warriors, and made the division of which Kahram was the leader +fly in all directions. His next feat was to attack another force, which +had confederated against him. + + With slackened rein he galloped o'er the field; + Blood gushed from every stroke of his sharp sword, + And reddened all the plain; a hundred warriors + Eighty and five, in treasure rich and mail, + Sunk underneath him, such his mighty power. + +His remaining object was to assail the centre, where Arjásp himself was +stationed; and thither he rapidly hastened. Arjásp, angry and alarmed at +this success, cried out, "What! is one man allowed to scathe all my +ranks, cannot my whole army put an end to his dreadful career?" The +soldiers replied, "No! he has a body of brass, and the vigor of an +elephant: our swords make no impression upon him, whilst with his sword +he can cut the body of a warrior, cased in mail, in two, with the +greatest ease. Against such a foe, what can we do?" Isfendiyár rushed +on; and after an overwhelming attack, Arjásp was compelled to quit his +ground and effect his escape. The Iránian troops were then ordered to +pursue the fugitives, and in revenge for the death of Lohurásp, not to +leave a man alive. The carnage was in consequence terrible, and the +remaining Túránians were in such despair that they flung themselves from +their exhausted horses, and placing straw in their mouths to show the +extremity of their misfortune, called aloud for quarter. Isfendiyár was +moved at last to compassion, and put an end to the fight; and when he +came before Gushtásp, the mail on his body, from the number of arrows +sticking in it, looked like a field of reeds; about a thousand arrows +were taken out of its folds. Gushtásp kissed his head and face, and +blessed him, and prepared a grand banquet, and the city of Balkh +resounded with rejoicings on account of the great victory. + +Many days had not elapsed before a further enterprise was to be +undertaken. The sisters of Isfendiyár were still in confinement, and +required to be released. The prince readily complied with the wishes of +Gushtásp, who now repeated to him his desire to relinquish the cares of +sovereignty, and place the reins of government in his hands, that he +might devote himself entirely to the service of God. + + "To thee I yield the crown and throne, + Fit to be held by thee alone; + From worldly care and trouble free, + A hermit's cell is enough for me," + +But Isfendiyár replied, that he had no desire to be possessed of the +power; he rather wished for the prosperity of the king, and no change. + + "O, may thy life be long and blessed, + And ever by the good caressed; + For 'tis my duty still to be + Devoted faithfully to thee! + I want no throne, nor diadem; + My soul has no delight in them. + I only seek to give thee joy, + And gloriously my sword employ. + I thirst for vengeance on Arjásp: + To crush him in my iron grasp, + That from his thrall I may restore + My sisters to their home again, + Who now their heavy fate deplore, + And toiling drag a slavish chain." + "Then go!" the smiling monarch said, + Invoking blessings on his head, + "And may kind Heaven thy refuge be, + And lead thee on to victory." + +Isfendiyár now told his father that his prisoner Kurugsar was +continually requesting him to represent his condition in the royal ear, +saying, "Of what use will it be to put me to death? No benefit can arise +from such a punishment. Spare my life, and you will see how largely I am +able to contribute to your assistance." Gushtásp expressed his +willingness to be merciful, but demanded a guarantee on oath from the +petitioner that he would heart and soul be true and faithful to his +benefactor. The oath was sworn, after which his bonds were taken from +his hands and feet, and he was set at liberty. The king then called him, +and pressed him with goblets of wine, which made him merry. "I have +pardoned thee," said Gushtásp, "at the special entreaty of +Isfendiyár--be grateful to him, and be attentive to his commands." After +that, Isfendiyár took and conveyed him to his own house, that he might +have an opportunity of experiencing and proving the promised fidelity of +his new ally. + + + +THE HEFT-KHAN OF ISFENDIYÁR + + Rustem had seven great labours, wondrous power + Nerved his strong arm in danger's needful hour; + And now Firdusi's legend-strains declare + The seven great labours of Isfendiyár. + +The prince, who had determined to undertake the new expedition, and +appeared confident of success, now addressed himself to Kurugsar, and +said, "If I conquer the kingdom of Arjásp, and restore my sisters to +liberty, thou shalt have for thyself any principality thou may'st choose +within the boundaries of Irán and Túrán, and thy name shall be exalted; +but beware of treachery or fraud, for falsehood shall certainly be +punished with death." To this Kurugsar replied, "I have already sworn a +solemn oath to the king, and at thy intercession he has spared my +life--why then should I depart from the truth, and betray my +benefactor?" + +"Then tell me the road to the brazen fortress, and how far it is distant +from this place?" said Isfendiyár. + +"There are three different routes," replied Kurugsar. "One will occupy +three months; it leads through a beautiful country, adorned with cities, +and gardens, and pastures, and is pleasant to the traveller. The second +is less attractive, the prospects less agreeable, and will only employ +two months; the third, however, may be accomplished in seven days, and +is thence called the Heft-khan, or seven stages; but at every stage some +monster, or terrible difficulty, must be overcome. No monarch, even +supported by a large army, has ever yet ventured to proceed by this +route; and if it is ever attempted, the whole party will be assuredly +lost. + + "Nor strength, nor juggling, nor the sorcerer's art + Can help him safely through that awful path, + Beset with wolves and dragons, wild and fierce, + From whom the fleetest have no power to fly. + There an enchantress, doubly armed with spells, + The most accomplished of that magic brood. + Spreads wide her snares to charm and to destroy, + And ills of every shape, and horrid aspect, + Cross the tired traveller at every step." + +At this description of the terrors of the Heft-khan, Isfendiyár became +thoughtful for awhile, and then, resigning himself to the providence of +God, resolved to take the shortest route. "No man can die before his +time," said he; "heaven is my protector, and I will fearlessly encounter +every difficulty on the road." "It is full of perils," replied Kurugsar, +and endeavored to dissuade him from the enterprise. "But with the +blessing of God," rejoined Isfendiyár, "it will be easy." The prince +then ordered a sumptuous banquet to be served, at which he gave Kurugsar +abundant draughts of wine, and even in a state of intoxication the +demon-guide still warned him against his proposed journey. "Go by the +route which takes two months," said he, "for that will be convenient and +safe;" but Isfendiyár replied:--"I neither fear the difficulties of the +route, nor the perils thou hast described." + + And though destruction spoke in every word, + Enough to terrify the stoutest heart, + Still he adhered to what he first resolved. + "Thou wilt attend me," said the dauntless prince; + And thus Kurugsar, without a pause, replied: + "Undoubtedly, if by the two months' way, + And do thee ample service; but if this + Heft-khan be thy election; if thy choice + Be fixed on that which leads to certain death, + My presence must be useless. Can I go + Where bird has never dared to wing its flight?" + +Isfendiyár, upon hearing these words, began to suspect the fidelity of +Kurugsar, and thought it safe to bind him in chains. The next day as he +was going to take leave of his father, Kurugsar called out to him, and +said: "After my promises of allegiance, and my solemn oath, why am I +thus kept in chains?" "Not out of anger assuredly; but out of compassion +and kindness, in order that I may take thee along with me on the +enterprise of the Heft-khan; for wert thou not bound, thy faint heart +might induce thee to run away. + + "Safe thou art when bound in chains, + Fettered foot can never fly. + Whilst thy body here remains, + We may on thy faith rely. + Terror will in vain assail thee; + For these bonds shall never fail thee. + Guarded by a potent charm, + They will keep thee free from harm." + +Isfendiyár having received the parting benediction of Gushtásp, was +supplied with a force consisting of twelve thousand chosen horsemen, and +abundance of treasure, to enable him to proceed on his enterprise, and +conquer the kingdom of Arjásp. + +First Stage.--Isfendiyár placed Kurugsar in bonds among his retinue, and +took with him his brother Bashútan. But the demon-guide complained that +he was unable to walk, and in consequence he was mounted on a horse, +still bound, and the bridle given into the hands of one of the warriors. +In this manner they proceeded, directed from time to time by Kurugsar, +till they arrived at the uttermost limits of the kingdom, and entered a +desert wilderness. Isfendiyár now asked what they would meet with, and +the guide answered, "Two monstrous wolves are in this quarter, as large +as elephants, and whose teeth are of immense length." The prince told +his people, that as soon as they saw the wolves, they must at once +attack them with arrows. The day passed away, and in the evening they +came to a forest and a murmuring stream, when suddenly the two enormous +wolves appeared, and rushed towards the legions of Isfendiyár. The +people seeing them advance, poured upon them a shower of arrows. +Several, however, were wounded, but the wolves were much exhausted by +the arrows which had penetrated their bodies. At this moment Bashútan +attacked one of them, and Isfendiyár the other; and so vigorous was +their charge, that both the monsters were soon laid lifeless in the +dust. After this signal overthrow, Isfendiyár turned to Kurugsar, and +exclaimed: "Thus, through the favor of Heaven, the first obstacle has +been easily extinguished!" The guide regarded him with amazement, and +said:--"I am indeed astonished at the intrepidity and valor that has +been displayed." + + Seeing the bravery of Isfendiyár, + Amazement filled the soul of Kurugsar. + +The warriors and the party now dismounted, and regaled themselves with +feasting and wine. They then reposed till the following morning. + +Second Stage.--Proceeding on the second journey, Isfendiyár inquired +what might now be expected to oppose their progress, and Kurugsar +replied: "This stage is infested by lions." "Then," rejoined Isfendiyár, +"thou shalt see with what facility I can destroy them." At about the +close of the day they met with a lion and a lioness. Bashútan said: +"Take one and I will engage the other." But Isfendiyár observed, that +the animals seemed very wild and ferocious, and he preferred attacking +them both himself, that his brother might not be exposed to any harm. He +first sallied forth against the lion, and with one mighty stroke put an +end to his life. He then approached the lioness, which pounced upon him +with great fury, but was soon compelled to desist, and the prince, +rapidly wielding his sword, in a moment cut off her head. Having thus +successfully accomplished the second day's task, he alighted from his +horse, and refreshments being spread out, the warriors and the troops +enjoyed themselves with great satisfaction, exhilarated by plenteous +draughts of ruby wine. Again Isfendiyár addressed Kurugsar, and said: +"Thou seest with what facility all opposition is removed, when I am +assisted by the favor of Heaven!" "But there are other and more terrible +difficulties to surmount, and amazing as thy achievements certainly have +been, thou wilt have still greater exertions to make before thy +enterprise is complete." "What is the next evil I have to subdue?" "An +enormous dragon, + + "With power to fascinate, and from the deep + To lure the finny tribe, his daily food. + Fire sparkles round him; his stupendous bulk + Looks like a mountain. When incensed, his roar + Makes the surrounding country shake with fear. + White poison-foam drops from his hideous jaws, + Which yawning wide, display a dismal gulf, + The grave of many a hapless being, lost + Wandering amidst that trackless wilderness." + +Kurugsar described or magnified the ferocity of the animal in such a +way, that Isfendiyár thought it necessary to be cautious, and with that +view he ordered a curious apparatus to be constructed on wheels, +something like a carriage, to which he fastened a large quantity of +pointed instruments, and harnessed horses to it to drag it on the road. +He then tried its motion, and found it admirably calculated for his +purpose. The people were astonished at the ingenuity of the invention, +and lauded him to the skies. + +Third Stage--Away went the prince, and having travelled a considerable +distance, Kurugsar suddenly exclaimed: "I now begin to smell the stench +of the dragon." Hearing this, Isfendiyár dismounted, ascended the +machine, and shutting the door fast, took his seat and drove off. +Bashútan and all the warriors upon witnessing this extraordinary act, +began to weep and lament, thinking that he was hurrying himself to +certain destruction, and begged that for his own sake, as well as +theirs, he would come out of the machine. But he replied: "Peace, peace! +what know ye of the matter;" and as the warlike apparatus was so +excellently contrived, that he could direct the movements of the horses +himself, he drove on with increased velocity, till he arrived in the +vicinity of the monster. + + The dragon from a distance heard + The rumbling of the wain, + And snuffing every breeze that stirred + Across the neighbouring plain, + + Smelt something human in his power, + A welcome scent to him; + For he was eager to devour + Hot reeking blood, or limb. + + And darkness now is spread around, + No pathway can be traced; + The fiery horses plunge and bound + Amid the dismal waste. + + And now the dragon stretches far + His cavern throat, and soon + Licks in the horses and the car, + And tries to gulp them down. + + But sword and javelin, sharp and keen, + Wound deep each sinewy jaw; + Midway, remains the huge machine, + And chokes the monster's maw. + + In agony he breathes, a dire + Convulsion fires his blood, + And struggling, ready to expire, + Ejects a poison-flood! + + And then disgorges wain and steeds, + And swords and javelins bright; + Then, as the dreadful dragon bleeds, + Up starts the warrior-knight, + And from his place of ambush leaps, + And, brandishing his blade, + The weapon in the brain he steeps, + And splits the monster's head. + + But the foul venom issuing thence, + Is so o'erpowering found, + Isfendiyár, deprived of sense, + Falls staggering to the ground! + +Upon seeing this result, and his brother in so deplorable a situation, +Bashútan and the troops also were in great alarm, apprehending the most +fatal consequences. They sprinkled rose-water over his face, and +administered other remedies, so that after some time he recovered; then +he bathed, purifying himself from the filth of the monster, and poured +out prayers of thankfulness to the merciful Creator for the protection +and victory he had given him. But it was matter of great grief to +Kurugsar that Isfendiyár had succeeded in his exploit, because under +present circumstances, he would have to follow him in the remaining +arduous enterprises; whereas, if the prince had been slain, his +obligations would have ceased forever. + +"What may be expected to-morrow?" inquired Isfendiyár. "To-morrow," +replied the demon-guide, "thou wilt meet with an enchantress, who can +convert the stormy sea into dry land, and the dry land again into the +ocean. She is attended by a gigantic ghoul, or apparition." "Then thou +shalt see how easily this enchantress and her mysterious attendant can +be vanquished." + +Fourth Stage.--On the fourth day Isfendiyár and his companions proceeded +on the destined journey, and coming to a pleasant meadow, watered by a +transparent rivulet, the party alighted, and they all refreshed +themselves heartily with various kinds of food and wine. In a short +space of time the enchantress appeared, most beautiful in feature and +elegant in attire, and approaching our hero with a sad but fascinating +expression of countenance, said to him (the ghoul, her pretended +paramour, being at a little distance):-- + + "I am a poor unhappy thing, + The daughter of a distant king. + This monster with deceit and fraud, + By a fond parent's power unawed, + Seduced me from my royal home, + Through wood and desert wild to roam; + And surely Heaven has brought thee now + To cheer my heart, and smooth my brow, + And free me from his loathed embrace, + And bear me to a fitter place, + Where, in thy circling arms more softly prest, + I may at last be truly loved, and blest." + +Isfendiyár immediately called her to him, and requested her to sit down. +The enchantress readily complied, anticipating a successful issue to her +artful stratagems; but the intended victim of her sorcery was too +cunning to be imposed upon. He soon perceived what she was, and +forthwith cast his kamund over her, and in spite of all her entreaties, +bound her too fast to escape. In this extremity, she successively +assumed the shape of a cat, a wolf, and a decrepit old man: and so +perfect were her transformations, that any other person would have been +deceived, but Isfendiyár detected her in every variety of appearance; +and, vexed by her continual attempts to cheat him, at last took out his +sword and cut her in pieces. As soon as this was done, a thick dark +cloud of dust and vapor arose, and when it subsided, a black apparition +of a demon burst upon his sight, with flames issuing from its mouth. +Determined to destroy this fresh antagonist, he rushed forward, sword in +hand, and though the flames, in the attack, burnt his cloth-armor and +dress, he succeeded in cutting off the threatening monster's head. +"Now," said he to Kurugsar, "thou hast seen that with the favor of +Heaven, both enchantress and ghoul are exterminated, as well as the +wolves, the lions, and the dragon." "Very well," replied Kurugsar, "thou +hast achieved this prodigious labor, but to-morrow will be a heavy day, +and thou canst hardly escape with life. To-morrow thou wilt be opposed +by the Símúrgh, whose nest is situated upon a lofty mountain. She has +two young ones, each the size of an elephant, which she conveys in her +beak and claws from place to place." "Be under no alarm," said +Isfendiyár, "God will make the labor easy." + +Fifth Stage.--On the fifth day, Isfendiyár resumed his journey, +travelling with his little army over desert, plain, mountain, and +wilderness, until he reached the neighborhood of the Símúrgh. He then +adopted the same stratagem which he had employed before, and the machine +supplied with swords and spears, and drawn by horses, was soon in +readiness for the new adventure. The Símúrgh, seeing with surprise an +immense vehicle, drawn by two horses, approach at a furious rate, and +followed by a large company of horsemen, descended from the mountain, +and endeavored to take up the whole apparatus in her claws to carry it +away to her own nest; but her claws were lacerated by the sharp weapons, +and she was then obliged to try her beak. Both beak and claws were +injured in the effort, and the animal became extremely weakened by the +loss of blood. Isfendiyár seizing the happy moment, sprang out of the +carriage, and with his trenchant sword divided the Símúrgh in two parts; +and the young ones, after witnessing the death of their parent, +precipitately fled from the fatal scene. When Bashútan, with the army, +came to the spot, they were amazed at the prodigious size of the +Símúrgh, and the valor by which it had been subdued. Kurugsar turned +pale with astonishment and sorrow. "What will be our next adventure?" +said Isfendiyár to him. "To-morrow more pressing ills will surround +thee. Heavy snow will fall, and there will be a violent tempest of wind, +and it will be wonderful if even one man of thy legions remains alive. +That will not be like fighting against lions, a dragon, or the Símúrgh, +but against the elements, against the Almighty, which never can be +successful. Thou hadst better therefore, return unhurt." The people on +hearing this warning were alarmed, and proposed to go back; "for if the +advice of Kurugsar is not taken, we shall all perish like the companions +of Kai-khosráu, and lie buried under drifts of snow. + + "Let us return then, whilst we may; + Why should we throw our lives away?" + +But Isfendiyár replied that he had already overcome five of the perils +of the road, and had no fear about the remaining two. The people, +however, were still discontented, and still murmured aloud; upon which +the prince said, "Return then, and I will go alone. + + "I never can require the aid + Of men so easily dismayed." + +Finding their leader immovable, the people now changed their tone, and +expressed their devotion to his cause; declaring that whilst life +remained, they would never forsake him, no never. + +Sixth Stage.--On the following morning, the sixth, Isfendiyár continued +his labors, and hurried on with great speed. Towards evening he arrived +on the skirts of a mountain, where there was a running stream, and upon +that spot, he pitched his tents. + + Presently from the mountain there rushed down + A furious storm of wind, then heavy showers + Of snow fell, covering all the earth with whiteness, + And making desolate the prospect round. + Keen blew the blast, and pinching was the cold; + And to escape the elemental wrath, + Leader and soldier, in the caverned rock + Scooped out by mouldering time, took shelter, there + Continuing three long days. Three lingering days + Still fell the snow, and still the tempest raged, + And man and beast grew faint for want of food. + +Isfendiyár and his warriors, with heads exposed, now prostrated +themselves in solemn prayer to the Almighty, and implored his favor and +protection from the calamity which had befallen them. Happily their +prayers were heard, Heaven was compassionate, and in a short space the +snow and the mighty wind entirely ceased. By this fortunate interference +of Providence, the army was enabled to quit the caves of the mountain; +and then Isfendiyár again addressed Kurugsar triumphantly: "Thus the +sixth labor is accomplished. What have we now to fear?" The demon-guide +answered him and said: "From hence to the Brazen Fortress it is forty +farsangs. That fortress is the residence of Arjásp; but the road is full +of peril. For three farsangs the sand on the ground is as hot as fire, +and there is no water to be found during the whole journey." This +information made a serious impression upon the mind of Isfendiyár; who +said to him sternly: "If I find thee guilty of falsehood, I will +assuredly put thee to death." Kurugsar replied: "What! after six trials? +Thou hast no reason to question my veracity. I shall never depart from +the truth, and my advice is, that thou hadst better return; for the +seventh stage is not to be ventured upon by human strength. + + "Along those plains of burning sand + No bird can move, nor ant, nor fly; + No water slakes the fiery land, + Intensely glows the flaming sky. + No tiger fierce, nor lion ever + Could breathe that pestilential air; + Even the unsparing vulture never + Ventures on blood-stained pinions there. + +"At the distance of three farsangs beyond this inaccessible belt of +scorching country lies the Brazen Fortress, to which there is no visible +path; and if an army of a hundred thousand strong were to attempt its +reduction, there would not be the least chance of success." + +Seventh Stage.--When Isfendiyár heard these things, enough to alarm the +bravest heart, he turned towards his people to ascertain their +determination; when they unanimously repeated their readiness to +sacrifice their lives in his service, and to follow wherever he might be +disposed to lead the way. He then put Kurugsar in chains again, and +prosecuted his journey, until he reached the place said to be covered +with burning sand. Arrived on the spot, he observed to the demon-guide: +"Thou hast described the sand as hot, but it is not so." "True; and it +is on account of the heavy showers of snow that have fallen and cooled +the ground, a proof that thou art under the protection of the Almighty." +Isfendiyár smiled, and said: "Thou art all insincerity and deception, +thus to play upon my feelings with false or imaginary terrors." Saying +this he urged his soldiers to pass rapidly on, so as to leave the sand +behind them, and they presently came to a great river. Isfendiyár was +now angry with Kurugsar, and said: "Thou hast declared that for the +space of forty farsangs there was no water, every drop being everywhere +dried up by the burning heat of the sun, and here we find water! Why +didst thou also idly fill the minds of my soldiers with groundless +fears?" Kurugsar replied: "I will confess the truth. Did I not swear a +solemn oath to be faithful, and yet I was still doubted, and still +confined in irons, though the experience of six days of trial had proved +the correctness of my information and advice. For this reason I was +disappointed and displeased; and I must confess that I did, therefore, +exaggerate the dangers of the last day, in the hope too of inducing thee +to return and release me from my bonds. + + "For what have I received from thee, + But scorn, and chains, and slavery." + +Isfendiyár now struck off the irons from the hands and feet of his +demon-guide and treated him with favor and kindness, repeating to him +his promise to reward him at the close of his victorious career with the +government of a kingdom. Kurugsar was grateful for this change of +conduct to him, and again acknowledging the deception he had been guilty +of, hoped for pardon, engaging at the same time to take the party in +safety across the great river which had impeded their progress. This was +accordingly done, and the Brazen Fortress was now at no great distance. +At the close of the day they were only one farsang from the towers, but +Isfendiyár preferred resting till the next morning. "What is thy counsel +now?" said he to his guide. "What sort of a fortress is this which fame +describes in such dreadful colors?" "It is stronger than imagination can +conceive, and impregnable."--"Then how shall I get to Arjásp? + + "How shall I cleave the oppressor's form asunder, + The murderer of my grandsire, Lohurásp? + The bravest heroes of Túrán shall fall + Under my conquering sword; their wives and children + Led captive to Irán; and desolation + Scathe the whole realm beneath the tyrant's sway." + +But these words only roused and exasperated the feelings of Kurugsar, +who bitterly replied:-- + + "Then may calamity be thy reward, + Thy stars malignant, and thy life all sorrow; + And may'st thou perish, weltering in thy blood, + And the bare desert be thy lonely grave + For that inhuman thought, that cruel menace." + +Isfendiyár, upon hearing this unexpected language, became furious with +indignation, and instantly punished the offender on the spot; with one +stroke of his sword he cleft Kurugsar in twain. + +When the clouds of night had darkened the sky, Isfendiyár, with a number +of his warriors, proceeded towards the Brazen Fortress, and secretly +explored it on every side. He found it constructed entirely of iron and +brass; and, notwithstanding a strict examination at every point, +discovered no accessible part for attack. It was three farsangs high, +and forty wide; and such a place as was never before beheld by man. + + + +CAPTURE OF THE BRAZEN FORTRESS + +Isfendiyár returned from reconnoitring the fortress with acute feelings +of sorrow and despair. He was at last convinced that Kurugsar had spoken +the truth; for there seemed to be no chance whatever of taking the place +by any stratagem he could invent. Revolving the enterprise seriously in +his mind, he now began to repent of his folly, and the overweening +confidence which had led him to undertake the journey. Returning thus to +his tent in a melancholy mood, he saw a Fakír sitting down on the road, +and him he anxiously accosted. "What may be the number of the garrison +in this fort?" "There are a hundred thousand veteran warriors in the +service of Arjásp in the fort, with abundance of supplies of every kind, +and streams of pure water, so that nothing is wanted to foil an enemy." +This was very unwelcome intelligence to Isfendiyár, who now assembled +his officers to consider what was best to be done. They all agreed that +the reduction of the fortress was utterly impracticable, and that the +safest course for him would be to return. But he could not bring himself +to acquiesce in this measure, saying: "God is almighty, and beneficent, +and with him is the victory." He then reflected deeply and long, and +finally determined upon entering the fort disguised as a merchant. +Having first settled the mode of proceeding, he put Bashútan in +temporary charge of the army, saying:-- + + "This Brazen Fortress scorns all feats of arms, + Nor sword nor spear, nor battle-axe, can here + Be wielded to advantage; stratagem + Must be employed, or we shall never gain + Possession of its wide-extended walls, + Placing my confidence in God alone + I go with rich and curious wares for sale, + To take the credulous people by surprise, + Under the semblance of a peaceful merchant." + +Isfendiyár then directed a hundred dromedaries to be collected, and when +they were brought to him he disposed of them in the following manner. He +loaded ten with embroidered cloths, five with rubies and sapphires, and +five more with pearls and other precious jewels. Upon each of the +remaining eighty he placed two chests, and in each chest a warrior was +secreted, making in all one hundred and sixty; and one hundred more were +disposed as camel-drivers and servants. Thus the whole force, consisting +of a hundred dromedaries and two hundred and sixty warriors, set off +towards the Brazen Fortress, Isfendiyár having first intimated to his +brother Bashútan to march with his army direct to the gates of the fort, +as soon as he saw a column of flame and smoke ascend from the interior. +On the way they gave out that they were merchants come with valuable +goods from Persia, and hoped for custom. The tidings of travellers +having arrived with rubies and gold-embroidered garments for sale, soon +reached the ears of Arjásp, the king, who immediately gave them +permission to enter the fort. When Isfendiyár, the reputed master of the +caravan, had got within the walls, he said that he had brought rich +presents for the king, and requested to be introduced to him in person. +He was accordingly allowed to take the presents himself, was received +with distinguished attention, and having stated his name to be Kherád, +was invited to go to the royal palace, whenever, and as often as, he +might please. At one of the interviews the king asked him, as he had +come from Persia, if he knew whether the report was true or not that +Kurugsar had been put to death, and what Gushtásp and Isfendiyár were +engaged upon. The hero in disguise replied that it was five months since +he left Persia; but he had heard on the road from many persons that +Isfendiyár intended proceeding by the way of the Heft-khan with a vast +army, towards the Brazen Fortress. At these words Arjásp smiled in +derision, and said: "Ah! ah! by that way even the winged tribe are +afraid to venture; and if Isfendiyár had a thousand lives, he would lose +them all in any attempt to accomplish that journey." After this +interview Isfendiyár daily continued to attend to the sale of his +merchandise, and soon found that his sisters were employed in the +degrading office of drawing and carrying water for the kitchen of +Arjásp. When they heard that a caravan had arrived from Irán, they went +to Isfendiyár (who recognized them at a distance, but hid his face that +they might not know him), to inquire what tidings he had brought about +their father and brother. Alarmed at the hazard of discovery, he replied +that he knew nothing, and desired them to depart; but they remained, and +said: "On thy return to Irán, at least, let it be known that here we +are, two daughters of Gushtásp, reduced to the basest servitude, and +neither father nor brother takes compassion upon our distresses. + + "Whilst with bare head, and naked feet, we toil, + They pass their time in peace and happiness, + Regardless of the misery we endure." + +Isfendiyár again, in assumed anger, told them to depart, saying: "Talk +not to me of Gushtásp and Isfendiyár--what have I to do with them?" At +that moment the sound of his voice was recognized by the elder sister, +who, in a transport of joy, instantly communicated her discovery to the +younger; but they kept the secret till night, and then they returned to +commune with their brother. Isfendiyár finding that he was known, +acknowledged himself, and informed them that he had undertaken to +restore them to liberty, and that he was now engaged in the enterprise, +opposing every obstacle in his way; but it was necessary that they +should continue their usual labor at the wells, till a fitting +opportunity occurred. + +For the purpose of accelerating the moment of release, Isfendiyár +represented to the king that at a period of great adversity, he had made +a vow that he would give a splendid banquet if ever Heaven again smiled +upon him, and as he then was in the way to prosperity, and wished to +fulfil his vow, he hoped that his majesty would honor him with his +presence on the occasion. The king accepted the invitation with +satisfaction, and said: "To-morrow I will be thy guest, at thy own +house, and with all my warriors and soldiers." But this did not suit the +scheme of the pretended merchant, who apologized on account of his house +being too small, and proposed that the feast should be held upon the +loftiest part of the fortress, where spacious tents and pavilions might +be erected for the purpose, and a large fire lighted to give splendor to +the scene. The king assented, and every requisite preparation being +made, all the royal and warrior guests assembled in the morning, and +eagerly partook of the rich viands set before them. They all drank wine +with such relish and delight, that they soon became intoxicated, and +Kherád seizing the opportunity, ordered the logs of wood which had been +collected, to be set on fire, and rapidly the smoke and flame sprung up, +and ascended to the sky. Bashútan saw the looked-for sign, and hastened +with two thousand horsemen to the gates of the fortress, where he slew +every one that he met, calling himself Isfendiyár. Arjásp had enjoyed +the banquet exceedingly; the music gave him infinite pleasure, and the +wine had intoxicated him; but in the midst of his hilarity and +merriment, he was told that Isfendiyár had reached the gates, and +entered the fort, killing immense numbers of his people. This terrible +intelligence roused him and quitting the festive board of Kherád, he +ordered his son Kahram, with fifty thousand horsemen, to repel the +invader. He also ordered forty thousand horsemen to protect different +parts of the walls, and ten thousand to remain as his own personal +guard. Kahram accordingly issued forth without delay, and soon engaged +in battle with the force under Bashútan. + +When night came, Isfendiyár opened the lids of the chests, and let out +the hundred and sixty warriors, whom he supplied with swords and spears, +and armor, and also the hundred who were disguised as camel-drivers and +servants. + + With this bold band he sped, + Whither Arjásp had fled; + And all who fought around, + To keep untouched that sacred ground; + (Resistance weak and vain,) + By him were quickly slain. + +The sisters of Isfendiyár now arrived, and pointed out to him the +chamber of Arjásp, to which place he immediately repaired, and roused up +the king, who was almost insensible with the fumes of wine. Arjásp, +however, sprang upon his feet, + + And grappled stoutly with Isfendiyár, + And desperate was the conflict: head and loins + Alternately received deep gaping wounds + From sword and dagger. Wearied out at length, + Arjásp shrunk back, when with one mighty blow, + Isfendiyár, exulting in his power, + Cleft him asunder. + +Two of the wives, two daughters, and one sister of Arjásp fell +immediately into the hands of the conqueror, who delivered them into the +custody of his son, to be conveyed home. He then quitted the palace, and +turning his steps towards the gates of the fortress, slew a great number +of the enemy. + +Kahram, in the meantime, had been fiercely engaged with Bashútan, and +was extremely reduced. At the very moment too of his discomfiture, he +heard the watchmen call out aloud that Arjásp had been slain by Kherád. +Confounded and alarmed by these tidings, he approached the fort, where +he heard the confirmation of his misfortune from every mouth, and also +that the garrison had been put to the sword. Leading on the remainder of +his troops he now came in contact with Isfendiyár and his two hundred +and sixty warriors, and a sharp engagement ensued; but the coming up of +Bashútan's force on his rear, placed him in such a predicament on every +side, that defeat and destruction were almost inevitable. In short, +Kahram was left with only a few of his soldiers near him, when +Isfendiyár, observing his situation, challenged him to personal combat, +and the challenge was accepted. + + So closely did the eager warriors close, + They seemed together joined, and but one man. + At last Isfendiyár seized Kahram's girth, + And flung him to the ground, and bound his hands; + And as a leaf is severed from its stalk, + So he the head cleft from its quivering trunk; + Thus one blow wins, and takes away a throne, + In battle heads are trodden under hoofs, + Crowns under heads. + +After the death of Kahram, Isfendiyár issued a proclamation, offering +full pardon to all who would unite under his banners. They had no king. + + The country had no throne, no crown. Alas! + What is the world without a governor, + What, but a headless trunk? A thing more worthless + Than the vile dust upon the common road. + What could the people do in their despair? + They were obedient, and Isfendiyár + Encouraged them with kind and gentle words, + Fitting a generous and a prudent master. + +Having first written to his father an account of the great victory which +he had gained, he occupied himself in reducing all the surrounding +provinces and their inhabitants to subjection. Those people who +continued hostile to him he deemed it necessary to put to death. He took +all the women of Arjásp into his own service, and their daughters he +presented to his own sons. + + Not a warrior of Chín remained; + The king of Túrán was swept away; + And the realm where in pomp he had reigned, + Where he basked in prosperity's ray, + Was spoiled by the conqueror's brand, + Desolation marked every scene, + And a stranger now governed the mountainous land, + Where the splendour of Poshang had been. + Not a dirhem of treasure was left; + For nothing eluded the conqueror's grasp; + Of all was the royal pavilion bereft; + All followed the fate of Arjásp! + +When Gushtásp received information of this mighty conquest, he sent +orders to Isfendiyár to continue in the government of the new empire; +but the prince replied that he had settled the country, and was anxious +to see his father. This request being permitted, he was desired to bring +away all the immense booty, and return by the road of the Heft-khan. +Arriving at the place where he was overtaken by the dreadful +winter-storm, he again found all the property he had lost under the +drifts of snow; and when he had accomplished his journey, he was +received with the warmest welcome and congratulations, on account of his +extraordinary successes. A royal feast was prepared, and the king filled +his son's goblet with wine so repeatedly, and drank himself so +frequently, and with such zest, that both of them at length became +intoxicated. Gushtásp then asked Isfendiyár to describe to him the +particulars of his expedition by the road of the Heft-khan; for though +he had heard the story from others, he wished to have it from his own +mouth. But Isfendiyár replied: "We have both drank too much wine, and +nothing good can proceed from a drunken man; I will recite my adventures +to-morrow, when my head is clear." The next day Gushtásp, seated upon +his throne, and Isfendiyár placed before him on a golden chair, again +asked for the prince's description of his triumphant progress by the +Heft-khan, and according to his wish every incident that merited notice +was faithfully detailed to him. The king expressed great pleasure at the +conclusion; but envy and suspicion lurked in his breast, and writhing +internally like a serpent, he still delayed fulfilling his promise to +invest Isfendiyár, upon the overthrow of Arjásp, with the sovereignty of +Irán. + +The prince could not fail to observe the changed disposition of his +father, and privately went to Kitabún, his mother, to whom he related +the solemn promise and engagement of Gushtásp, and requested her to go +to him, and say: "Thou hast given thy royal word to Isfendiyár, that +when he had conquered and slain Arjásp, and restored his own sisters to +liberty, thou wouldst place upon his head the crown of Irán; faith and +honor are indispensable in princes, they are inculcated by religion, and +yet thou hast failed to make good thy word." But the mother had more +prudence, and said: "Let me give thee timely counsel, and breathe not a +syllable to any one on the subject. God forbid that thou shouldst again +be thrown into prison, and confined in chains. Recollect thine is the +succession; the army is in thy favor; thy father is old and infirm. Have +a little patience and in the end thou wilt undoubtedly be the King of +Persia. + + "The gold and jewels, the imperial sway, + The crown, the throne, the army, all he owns, + Will presently be thine; then wait in patience, + And reign, in time, the monarch of the world." + +Isfendiyár, however, was not contented with his mother's counsel, and +suspecting that she would communicate to the king what he had said, he +one day, as if under the influence of wine, thus addressed his father: +"In what way have I failed to accomplish thy wishes? Have I not +performed such actions as never were heard of, and never will be +performed again, in furtherance of thy glory? I have overthrown thy +greatest enemy, and supported thy honor with ceaseless toil and +exertion. Is it not then incumbent on thee to fulfil thy promise?" +Gushtásp replied: "Do not be impatient--the throne is thine;" but he was +deeply irritated at heart on being thus reproached by his own son. When +he retired he consulted with Jamásp, and was anxious to know what the +stars foretold. The answer was: "He is of exalted fortune, of high +destiny; he will overcome all his enemies, and finally obtain the +sovereignty of the heft-aklím, or seven climes." This favorable prophecy +aggravated the spleen of the father against the son, and he inquired +with bitter and unnatural curiosity: "What will be his death? Look to +that." + + "A deadly dart from Rustem's bow, + Will lay the glorious warrior low." + +These tidings gladdened the heart of Gushtásp, and he said: "If this +miscreant had been slain in his expedition to the Brazen Fortress I +should not now have been insulted with his claim to my throne." The king +then having resolved upon a scheme of deep dissimulation, ordered a +gorgeous banquet, and invited to it all his relations and warriors; and +when the guests were assembled he said to Isfendiyár: "The crown and the +throne are thine; indeed, who is there so well qualified for imperial +sway?" and turning to his warriors, he spoke of him with praise and +admiration, and added: "When I was entering upon the war against Arjásp, +before I quitted Sístán, I said to Rustem: 'Lohurásp, my father, is +dead, my wife and children made prisoners, wilt thou assist me in +punishing the murderer and oppressor?' but he excused himself, and +remained at home, and although I have since been involved in numberless +perils, he has not once by inquiry shown himself interested in my +behalf; in short, he boasts that Kai-khosráu gave him the principalities +of Zábul and Kábul, and Ním-rúz, and that he owes no allegiance to me! +It behooves me, therefore, to depute Isfendiyár to go and put him to +death, or bring him before me in bonds alive. After that I shall have no +enemy to be revenged upon, and I shall retire from the world, and leave +to Isfendiyár the crown and the throne of Persia, with confidence and +satisfaction." All the nobles and heroes present approved of the +measure, and the king, gratified by their approbation, then turned to +Isfendiyár, and said: "I have sworn on the Zendavesta, to relinquish my +power, and place it in thy hands, as soon as Rustem is subdued. Take +whatever force the important occasion may require, for the whole +resources of the empire shall be at thy command," But Isfendiyár thus +replied: "Remember the first time I defeated Arjásp--what was my reward? +Through the machinations of Gurzam I was thrown into prison and chained. +And what is my reward now that I have slain both Arjásp and his son in +battle? Thy solemn promise to me is forgotten, or disregarded. The +prince who forgets one promise will forget another, if it be convenient +for his purpose. + + "Whenever the Heft-khan is brought to mind, + I feel a sense of horror. But why should I + Repeat the story of those great exploits! + God is my witness, how I slew the wolf, + The lion, and the dragon; how I punished + That fell enchantress with her thousand wiles; + And how I suffered, midst the storm of snow, + Which almost froze the blood within my veins; + And how that vast unfathomable deep + We crossed securely. These are deeds which awaken + Wonder and praise in others, not in thee! + The treasure which I captured now is thine; + And what is my reward?--the interest, sorrow. + Thus am I cheated of my recompense. + It is the custom for great kings to keep + Religiously their pledged, affianced word; + But thou hast broken thine, despite of honour. + + "I do remember in my early youth, + It was in Rúm, thou didst perform a feat + Of gallant daring; for thou didst destroy + A dragon and a wolf, but thou didst bear + Thyself most proudly, thinking human arm + Never before had done a deed so mighty; + Yes, thou wert proud and vain, and seemed exalted + Up to the Heavens; and for that noble act + What did thy father do? The king for that + Gave thee with joyous heart his crown and throne. + Now mark the difference; think what I have done, + What perils I sustained, and for thy sake! + Thy foes I vanquished, clearing from thy mind + The gnawing rust of trouble and affliction. + Monsters I slew, reduced the Brazen Fortress, + And laid Arjásp's whole empire at thy feet, + And what was my reward? Neglect and scorn. + Did I deserve this at a father's hands?" + +Gushtásp remained unmoved by this sharp rebuke, though he readily +acknowledged its justice. "The crown shall be thine," said he, "but +consider my position. Think, too, what services Zál and Rustem performed +for Kai-khosráu, and shall I expect less from my own son, gifted as he +is with a form of brass, and the most prodigious valor? Forbid it, +Heaven! that any rumor of our difference should get abroad in the world, +which would redound to the dishonor of both! Nearly half of Irán is in +the possession of Rustem." "Give me the crown," said Isfendiyár, "and I +will immediately proceed against the Zabúl champion." "I have given thee +both the crown and the throne, take with thee my whole army, and all my +treasure.--What wouldst thou have more? He who has conquered the +terrific obstacles of the Heft-khan, and has slain Arjásp and subdued +his entire kingdom, can have no cause to fear the prowess of Rustem, or +any other chief." Isfendiyár replied that he had no fear of Rustem's +prowess; he was now old, and therefore not equal to himself in strength; +still he had no wish to oppose him:-- + + "For he has been the monitor and friend + Of our Kaiánian ancestors; his care + Enriched their minds, and taught them to be brave; + And he was ever faithful to their cause. + Besides," said he, "thou wert the honoured guest + Of Rustem two long years; and at Sístán + Enjoyed his hospitality and friendship, + His festive, social board; and canst thou now, + Forgetting that delightful intercourse, + Become his bitterest foe?" + +Gushtásp replied:-- + + "Tis true he may have served my ancestors; + But what is that to me? His spirit is proud, + And he refused to yield me needful aid + When danger pressed; that is enough, and thou + Canst not divert me from my settled purpose. + Therefore, if thy aim be still + To rule, thy father's wish fulfil; + Quickly trace the distant road; + Quick invade the chiefs abode; + Bind his feet, and bind his hands + In a captive's galling bands; + Bring him here, that all may know + Thou hast quelled the mighty foe." + +But Isfendiyár was still reluctant, and implored him to relinquish his +design. + + "For if resolved, a gloomy cloud + Will quickly all thy glories shroud, + And dim thy brilliant throne; + I would not thus aspire to reign, + But rather, free from crime, remain + Sequestered and alone." + +Again Gushtásp spoke, and said: "There is no necessity for any further +delay. Thou art appointed my successor, and the crown and the throne are +thine; thou hast therefore only to march to the scene of action, and +accomplish the object of the war." Hearing this, Isfendiyár sullenly +retired to his own house, and Gushtásp, perceiving that he was in an +angry mood, requested Jamásp (his minister) to ascertain the state of +his mind, and whether he intended to proceed to Sístán or not. Jamásp +immediately went, and Isfendiyár asked him, as his friend, what he would +advise. "The commands of a father," he replied, "must be obeyed." There +was now no remedy, and the king being informed that the prince consented +to undertake the expedition, no further discussion took place. + +But Kitabún was deeply affected when she heard of these proceedings, and +repaired instantly to her son, to represent to him the hopelessness of +the enterprise he had engaged to conduct. + + "A mother's counsel is a golden treasure, + Consider well, and listen not to folly. + Rustem, the champion of the world, will never + Suffer himself to be confined in bonds. + Did he not conquer the White Demon, fill + The world with blood, in terrible revenge, + When Saiáwush was by Afrásiyáb + Cruelly slain? O, curses on the throne, + And ruin seize the country, which returns + Evil for good, and spurns its benefactor. + Restrain thy steps, engage not in this war; + It cannot do thee honour. Hear my voice! + For Rustem still can conquer all the world." + Hear the safe counsel of thy anxious mother! + Thus spoke Kitabún, shedding ceaseless tears; + And thus Isfendiyár: "I fear not Rustem; + I fear not his prodigious power and skill; + But never can I on so great a hero + Place ignominious bonds; it must not be. + Yet, mother dear, my faithful word is pledged; + My word Jamásp has taken to the king, + And I must follow where my fortune leads." + +The next morning Isfendiyár took leave of the king, and with a vast +army, and immense treasure, commenced his march towards Sístán. It +happened that one of the camels in advance laid down, and though beaten +severely, could not be made to get up on its legs. Isfendiyár, seeing +the obstinacy of the animal, ordered it to be killed, and passed on. The +people, however, interpreted the accident as a bad omen, and wished him +not to proceed; but he could not attend to their suggestions, as he +thought the king would look upon it as a mere pretence, and therefore +continued his journey. + +When he approached Sístán, he sent Bahman, his eldest son, to Rustem, +with a flattering message, to induce the champion to honor him with an +istakbál, or deputation to receive him. Upon Bahman's arrival, however, +he hesitated and delayed, being reluctant to give a direct answer; but +Zál interposed, saying: "Why not immediately wait upon the prince?--have +we not always been devoted to the Kaiánian dynasty?--Go and bring him +hither, that we may tender him our allegiance, and entertain him at our +mansion as becomes his illustrious birth," Accordingly Rustem went out +to welcome Isfendiyár, and alighting from Rakush, proceeded respectfully +on foot to embrace him. He then invited him to his house, but Isfendiyár +said: "So strict are my father's commands, that after having seen thee, +I am not permitted to delay my departure." Rustem, however, pressed him +to remain with him, but all in vain. On the contrary the prince artfully +conducted him to his own quarters, where he addressed him thus: "If thou +wilt allow me to bind thee, hand and foot, in chains, I will convey thee +to the king my father, whose humor it is to see thee once in fetters, +and then to release thee!" Rustem was silent. Again Isfendiyár said: "If +thou art not disposed to comply with this demand, go thy ways," Rustem +replied: "First be my guest, as thy father once was, and after that I +will conform to thy will." Again the prince said: "My father visited +thee under other circumstances; I have come for a different purpose. If +I eat thy bread and salt, and after that thou shouldst refuse thy +acquiescence, I must have recourse to force. But if I become thy guest, +how can I in honor fight with thee? and if I do not take thee bound into +my father's presence, according to his command, what answer shall I give +to him?" "For the same reason," said Rustem; "how can I eat thy bread +and salt?" Isfendiyár then replied: "Thou needest not eat my bread and +salt, but only drink wine.--Bring thy own pure ruby." To this Rustem +agreed, and they drank, each his own wine, together. + +In a short space Rustem observed that he wished to consult his father +Zál; and being allowed to depart, he, on his return home, described in +strong terms of admiration the personal appearance and mental qualities +of Isfendiyár. + + "In wisdom ripe, and with a form + Of brass to meet the battle-storm, + Thou wouldst confess his every boon, + Had been derived from Feridún." + +Bashútan in the meanwhile observed to his brother, with some degree of +dissatisfaction, that his enemy had come into his power, on his own feet +too, but had been strangely permitted to go away again. To this gentle +reproof Isfendiyár confidently replied, "If he does fail to return, I +will go and secure him in bonds, even in his own house,"--"Ah!" said +Bashútan, "that might be done by gentleness, but not by force, for the +descendant of Sám, the champion of the world, is not to be subdued so +easily." These words had a powerful effect upon the mind of Isfendiyár, +and he became apprehensive that Rustem would not return; but whilst he +was still murmuring at his own want of vigilance, the champion appeared, +and at this second interview repeated his desire that the prince would +become his guest. "I am sent here by my father, who relies upon thy +accepting his proffered hospitality."--"That may be," said Isfendiyár, +"but I am at my utmost limit, I cannot go farther. From this place, +therefore, thou hadst better prepare to accompany me to Irán." Here +Rustem paused, and at length artfully began to enumerate his various +achievements, and to blazon his own name. + + "I fettered fast the emperor of Chin, + And broke the enchantment of the Seven Khans; + I stood the guardian of the Persian kings, + Their shield in danger. I have cleared the world + Of all their foes, enduring pain and toil + Incalculable. Such exploits for thee + Will I achieve, such sufferings will I bear, + And hence we offer thee a social welcome. + But let not dark suspicion cloud thy mind, + Nor think thyself exalted as the heavens, + Because I thus invite thee to our home." + +Isfendiyár felt so indignant and irritated by this apparent boasting and +self-sufficiency of Rustem, that his first impulse was to cast a dagger +at him; but he kept down his wrath, and satisfied himself with giving +him a scornful glance, and telling him to take a seat on his left hand. +But Rustem resented this affront, saying that he never yet had sat down +on the left of any king, and placed himself, without permission, on the +right hand of Isfendiyár. The unfavorable impression on the prince's +mind was increased by this independent conduct, and he was provoked to +say to him, "Rustem! I have heard that Zál, thy father, was of demon +extraction, and that Sám cast him into the desert because of his +disgusting and abominable appearance; that even the hungry Símúrgh, on +the same account, forebore to feed upon him, but conveyed him to her +nest among her own young ones, who, pitying his wretched condition, +supplied him with part of the carrion they were accustomed to devour. +Naked and filthy, he is thus said to have subsisted on garbage, till Sám +was induced to commiserate his wretchedness, and take him to Sástán, +where, by the indulgence of his family and royal bounty, he was +instructed in human manners and human science." This was a reproach and +an insult too biting for Rustem to bear with any degree of patience, and +frowning with strong indignation, he said, "Thy father knows, and thy +grandfather well knew that Zál was the son of Sám, and Sám of Narímán, +and that Narímán was descended from Húsheng. Thou and I, therefore, have +the same origin. Besides, on my mother's side, I am descended from +Zohák, so that by both parents I am of a race of princes. Knowest thou +not that the Iránian empire was for some time in my hands, and that I +refused to retain it, though urged by the nobles and the army to +exercise the functions of royalty? It was my sense of justice, and +attachment to the Kais and to thy family, which have enabled thee to +possess thy present dignity and command. It is through my fidelity and +zeal that thou art now in a situation to reproach me. Thou hast slain +one king, Arjásp, how many kings have I slain? Did I not conquer +Afrásiyáb, the greatest and bravest king that ever ruled over Túrán? And +did I not also subdue the king of Hámáverán, and the Khakán of Chín? +Káús, thy own ancestor, I released from the demons of Mázinderán. I slew +the White Demon, and the tremendous giant, Akwán Díw. Can thy +insignificant exploits be compared with mine? Never!" Rustem's +vehemence, and the disdainful tone of his voice, exasperated still more +the feelings of Isfendiyár, who however recollected that he was under +his roof, otherwise he would have avenged himself instantly on the spot. +Restraining his anger, he then said softly to him, "Wherefore dost thou +raise thy voice so high? For though thy head be exalted to the skies, +thou wert, and still art, but a dependent on the Kais. And was thy +Heft-khan equal in terrible danger to mine? Was the capture of +Mázinderán equal in valorous exertion to the capture of the Brazen +Fortress? And did I not, by the power of my sword, diffuse throughout +the world the blessings of my own religion, the faith of the +fire-worshipper, which was derived from Heaven itself? Thou hast +performed the duties of a warrior and a servant, whilst I have performed +the holy functions of a sovereign and a prophet!" Rustem, in reply, +said:-- + + "In thy Heft-khan thou hadst twelve thousand men + Completely armed, with ample stores and treasure, + Whilst Rakush and my sword, my conquering sword, + Were all the aid I had, and all I sought, + In that prodigious enterprise of mine. + Two sisters thou released--no arduous task, + Whilst I recovered from the demon's grasp + The mighty Káús, and the monsters slew, + Roaring like thunder in their dismal caves. + + "This great exploit my single arm achieved; + And when Kai-khosráu gave the regal crown + To Lohurásp, the warriors were incensed, + And deemed Fríburz, Káús's valiant son, + Fittest by birth to rule. My sire and I + Espoused the cause of Lohurásp; else he + Had never sat upon the throne, nor thou + Been here to treat with scorn thy benefactor. + And now Gushtásp, with foul ingratitude, + Would bind me hand and foot! But who on earth + Can do that office? I am not accustomed + To hear harsh terms, and cannot brook their sting, + Therefore desist. Once in Káús's court, + When I was moved to anger, I poured out + Upon him words of bitterest scorn and rage, + And though surrounded by a thousand chiefs, + Not one attempted to repress my fury, + Not one, but all stood silent and amazed." + + "Smooth that indignant brow," the prince replied + "And measure not my courage nor my strength + With that of Káús; had he nerve like mine? + Thou might'st have kept the timorous king in awe, + But I am come myself to fetter thee!" + So saying, he the hand of Rustem grasped, + And wrung it so intensely, that the champion + Felt inwardly surprised, but careless said, + "The time is not yet come for us to try + Our power in battle." Then Isfendiyár + Dropped Rustem's hand, and spoke, "To-day let wine + Inspire our hearts, and on the field to-morrow + Be ours the strife, with battle-axe and sword, + And my first aim shall be to bind thee fast, + And show thee to my troops, Rustem in fetters!" + + At this the champion smiled, and thus exclaimed, + "Where hast thou seen the deeds of warriors brave? + Where hast thou heard the clash of mace and sword + Wielded by men of valour? I to-morrow + Will take thee in my arms, and straight convey thee + To Zál, and place thee on the ivory throne, + And on thy head a crown of gold shall glitter. + The treasury I will open, and our troops + Shall fight for thee, and I will gird my loins + As they were girt for thy bold ancestors; + And when thou art the chosen king, and I + Thy warrior-chief, the world will be thy own; + No other sovereign need attempt to reign." + +"So much time has been spent in vain boasting, and extravagant +self-praise," rejoined Isfendiyár, "that the day is nearly done, and I +am hungry; let us therefore take some refreshment together." Rustem's +appetite being equally keen, the board was spread, and every dish that +was brought to him he emptied at once, as if at one swallow; then he +threw aside the goblets, and called for the large flagon that he might +drink his fill without stint. When he had finished several dishes and as +many flagons of wine, he paused, and Isfendiyár and the assembled chiefs +were astonished at the quantity he had devoured. He now prepared to +depart, and the prince said to him, "Go and consult with thy father: if +thou art contented to be bound, well; if not, thou wilt have cause to +repent, for I will assuredly attend to the commands of Gushtásp."--"Do +thou also consult with thy brethren and friends," replied Rustem, +"whether thou wilt be our guest to-morrow, or not; if not, come to this +place before sunrise, that we may decide our differences in battle." +Isfendiyár said, "My most anxious desire, my wish to heaven, is to meet +thee, for I shall have no difficulty in binding thee hand and foot. I +would indeed willingly convey thee without fetters to my father, but if +I did so, he would say that I was unable to put thee in bonds, and that +would disgrace my name." Rustem observed that the immense number of men +and demons he had contended against was as nothing in the balance of his +mind compared with the painful subject of his present thoughts and +fears. He was ready to engage, but afraid of meriting a bad name. + + "If in the battle thou art slain by me, + Will not my cheek turn pale among the princes + Of the Kaiánian race, having cut off + A lovely branch of that illustrious tree? + Will not reproaches hang upon my name + When I am dead, and shall I not be cursed + For perpetrating such a horrid deed? + Thy father, too, is old, and near his end, + And thou upon the eve of being crowned; + And in thy heart thou knowest that I proffered, + And proffer my allegiance and devotion, + And would avoid the conflict. Sure, thy father + Is practising some trick, some foul deception, + To urge thee on to an untimely death, + To rid himself of some unnatural fear, + He stoops to an unnatural, treacherous act, + For I have ever been the firm support + Of crown and throne, and perfectly he knows + No mortal ever conquered me in battle, + None ever from my sword escaped his life." + + Then spoke Isfendiyár: "Thou wouldst be generous + And bear a spotless name, and tarnish mine; + But I am not to be deceived by thee: + In fetters thou must go!" Rustem replied: + "Banish that idle fancy from thy brain; + Dream not of things impossible, for death + Is busy with thee; pause, or thou wilt die." + "No more!" exclaimed the prince, "no more of this. + Nor seek to frighten me with threatening words; + Go, and to-morrow bring with thee thy friends, + Thy father and thy brother, to behold + With their own eyes thy downfall, and lament + In sorrow over thy impending fate." + "So let it be," said Rustem, and at once + Mounted his noble horse, and hastened home. + +The champion immediately requested his father's permission to go and +fight Isfendiyár the following day, but the old man recommended +reconciliation and peace. "That cannot be," said Rustem, "for he has +reviled thee so severely, and heaped upon me so many indignities, that +my patience is exhausted, and the contest unavoidable." In the morning +Zál, weeping bitterly, tied on Rustem's armor himself, and in an agony +of grief, said: "If thou shouldst kill Isfendiyár, thy name will be +rendered infamous throughout the world; and if thou shouldst be killed, +Sístán will be prostrate in the dust, and extinguished forever! My heart +shudders at the thoughts of this battle, but there is no remedy." Rustem +said to him:--"Put thy trust in God, and be not sorrowful, for when I +grasp my sword the head of the enemy is lost; but my desire is to take +Isfendiyár alive, and not to kill him. I would serve him, and not sever +his head from his body." Zál was pleased with this determination, and +rejoiced that there was a promise of a happy issue to the engagement. + +In the morning Rustem arrayed himself in his war-attire, helmet and +breast-plate, and mounted Rakush, also armed in his bargustuwan. His +troops, too, were all assembled, and Zál appointed Zúára to take charge +of them, and be careful of his brother on all occasions where assistance +might be necessary. The old man then prostrated himself in prayer, and +said, "O God, turn from us all affliction, and vouchsafe to us a +prosperous day." Rustem being prepared for the struggle, directed Zúára +to wait with the troops at a distance, whilst he went alone to meet +Isfendiyár. When Bashútan first saw him, he thought he was coming to +offer terms of peace, and said to Isfendiyár, "He is coming alone, and +it is better that he should go to thy father of his own accord, than in +bonds."--"But," replied Isfendiyár, "he is coming completely equipped in +mail--quick, bring me my arms."--"Alas!" rejoined Bashútan, "thy brain +is wild, and thou art resolved upon fighting. This impetuous spirit will +break my heart." But Isfendiyár took no notice of the gentle rebuke. +Presently he saw Rustem ascend a high place, and heard his summons to +single combat. He then told his brother to keep at a distance with the +army, and not to interfere till aid was positively required. Insisting +rigidly on these instructions, he mounted his night-black charger, and +hastened towards Rustem, who now proposed to him that they should wait +awhile, and that in the meantime the two armies might be put in motion +against each other. "Though," said he, "my men of Zábul are few, and +thou hast a numerous host." + + "This is a strange request," replied the prince, + "But thou art all deceit and artifice; + Mark thy position, lofty and commanding, + And mine, beneath thee--in a spreading vale. + Now, Heaven forbid that I, in reckless mood, + Should give my valiant legions to destruction, + And look unpitying on! No, I advance, + Whoever may oppose me; and if thou + Requirest aid, select thy friend, and come, + For I need none, save God, in battle--none." + And Rustem said the same, for he required + No human refuge, no support but Heaven. + + The battle rose, and numerous javelins whizzed + Along the air, and helm and mail were bruised; + Spear fractured spear, and then with shining swords + The strife went on, till, trenched with many a wound, + They, too, snapped short. The battle-axe was next + Wielded, in furious wrath; each bending forward + Struck brain-bewildering blows; each tried in vain + To hurl the other from his fiery horse. + Wearied, at length, they stood apart to breathe + Their charges panting from excessive toil, + Covered with foam and blood, and the strong armor, + Of steed and rider rent. The combatants + Thus paused, in mutual consternation lost. + +In the meantime Zúára, impatient at this delay, advanced towards the +Iránians, and reproached them for their cowardice so severely, that +Núsháwer, the younger son of Isfendiyár, felt ashamed, and immediately +challenged the bravest of the enemy to fight. Alwaí, one of Rustem's +followers, came boldly forward, but his efforts only terminated in his +discomfiture and death. After him came Zúára himself:-- + + Who galloped to the charge incensed, and, high + Lifting his iron mace, upon the head + Of bold Núsháwer struck a furious blow, + Which drove him from his steed a lifeless corse. + Seeing their gallant leader thus overthrown, + The troops in terror fled, and in their flight + Thousands were slain, among them brave Mehrnús, + Another kinsman of Isfendiyár. + +Bahman, observing the defeat and confusion of the Iránians, went +immediately to his father, and told him that two of his own family were +killed by the warriors of Zábul, who had also attacked him and put his +troops to the rout with great slaughter. Isfendiyár was extremely +irritated at this intelligence, and called aloud to Rustem: "Is +treachery like this becoming in a warrior?" The champion being deeply +concerned, shook like a branch, and swore by the head and life of the +king, by the sun, and his own conquering sword, that he was ignorant of +the event, and innocent of what had been done. To prove what he said, he +offered to bind in fetters his brother Zúára, who must have authorized +the movement; and also to secure Ferámurz, who slew Mehrnús, and deliver +them over to Gushtásp, the fire-worshipper. "Nay," said he, "I will +deliver over to thee my whole family, as well as my brother and son, and +thou mayest sacrifice them all as a punishment for having commenced the +fight without permission." Isfendiyár replied: "Of what use would it be +to sacrifice thy brother and thy son? Would that restore my own to me? +No. Instead of them, I will put thee to death, therefore come on!" +Accordingly both simultaneously bent their bows, and shot their arrows +with the utmost rapidity; but whilst Rustem's made no impression, those +of Isfendiyár's produced great effect on the champion and his horse. So +severely was Rakush wounded, that Rustem, when he perceived how much his +favorite horse was exhausted, dismounted, and continued to impel his +arrows against the enemy from behind his shield. But Rakush brooked not +the dreadful storm, and galloped off unconscious that his master himself +was in as bad a plight. When Zúára saw the noble animal, riderless, +crossing the plain, he gasped for breath, and in an agony of grief +hurried to the fatal spot, where he found Rustem desperately hurt, and +the blood flowing copiously from every wound. The champion observed, +that though he was himself bleeding so much, not one drop of blood +appeared to have issued from the veins of his antagonist. He was very +weak, but succeeded in dragging himself up to his former position, when +Isfendiyár, smiling to see them thus, exclaimed:-- + + "Is this the valiant Rustem, the renowned, + Quitting the field of battle? Where is now + The raging tiger, the victorious chief? + Was it from thee the Demons shrunk in terror, + And did thy burning sword sear out their hearts? + What has become of all thy valour now? + Where is thy matchless mace, and why art thou, + The roaring lion, turned into a fox, + An animal of slyness, not of courage, + Losing thy noble character and name?" + +Zúára, when he came to Rustem, alighted and resigned his horse to his +brother; and placing an arrow on his bow-string, wished himself to +engage Isfendiyár, who was ready to fight him, but Rustem cried, "No, I +have not yet done with thee." Isfendiyár replied: "I know thee well, and +all thy dissimulation, but nothing yet is accomplished. Come and consent +to be fettered, or I must compel thee." Rustem, however, was not to be +overcome, and he said: "If I were really subdued by thee, I might agree +to be bound like a vanquished slave; but the day is now closing, +to-morrow we will resume the fight!" Isfendiyár acquiesced, and they +separated, Rustem going to his own tent, and the prince remaining on the +field. There he affectionately embraced the severed heads of his +kinsmen, placed them himself on a bier, and sent them to his father, the +king, with a letter in which he said, "Thy commands must be obeyed, and +such is the result of to-day; Heaven only knows what may befall +to-morrow." Then he spoke privately to Bashútan: "This Rustem is not +human, he is formed of rock and iron, neither sword nor javelin has done +him mortal harm; but the arrows went deep into his body, and it will +indeed be wonderful if he lives throughout the night. I know not what to +think of to-morrow, or how I shall be able to overcome him." + +When Rustem arrived at his quarters, Zál soon discovered that he had +received many wounds, which occasioned great affliction in his family, +and he said: "Alas! that in my old age such a misfortune should have +befallen us, and that with my own eyes I should see these gaping +wounds!" He then rubbed Rustem's feet, and applied healing balm to the +wounds, and bound them up with the skill and care of a physician. Rustem +said to his father: "I never met with a foe, warrior or demon, of such +amazing strength and bravery as this! He seems to have a brazen body, +for my arrows, which I can drive through an anvil, cannot penetrate his +chest. If I had applied the power which I have exerted to a mountain, +the mountain would have moved from its base, but he sat firmly upon his +saddle and scorned my efforts. I thank God that it is night, and that I +have escaped from his grasp. To-morrow I cannot fight, and my secret +wish is to retire unseen from the struggle, that no trace of me may be +discovered."--"In that case," replied Zál, "the victor will come and +take me and all my family into bondage. But let us not despair. Did not +the Símúrgh promise that whenever I might be overcome by adversity, if I +burned one of her feathers, she would instantly appear? Shall we not +then solicit assistance in this awful extremity?" So saying, Zál went up +to a high place, and burnt the feather in a censer, and in a short time +the Símúrgh stood before him. After due praise and acknowledgment, he +explained his wants. "But," said he, "may the misfortune we endure be +far from him who has brought it upon us. My son Rustem is wounded almost +unto death, and I am so helpless that I can do him no good." He then +brought forward Rakush, pierced by numerous arrows; upon which the +wonderful Bird said to him, "Be under no alarm on that account, for I +will soon cure him;" and she immediately plucked out the rankling +weapons with her beak, and the wounds, on passing a feather over them, +were quickly healed. + + To Rustem now she turns, and soothes his grief, + And drawing forth the arrows, sucks the blood + From out the wounds, which at her bidding close, + And the illustrious champion is restored + To life and power. + +Being thus reinvigorated by the magic influence of the Símúrgh, he +solicits further aid in the coming strife with Isfendiyár; but the +mysterious animal laments that she cannot assist him. "There never +appeared in the world," said she, "so brave and so perfect a hero as +Isfendiyár. The favor of Heaven is with him, for in his Heft-khan he, by +some artifice, succeeded in killing a Símúrgh, and the further thou art +removed from his invincible arm, the greater will be thy safety." Here +Zál interposed and said: "If Rustem retires from the contest, his family +will all be enslaved, and I shall equally share their bondage and +affliction." The Símúrgh, hearing these words, fell into deep thought, +and remained some time silent. At length she told Rustem to mount Rakush +and follow her. Away she went to a far distance; and crossing a great +river, arrived at a place covered with reeds, where the Kazú-tree +abounded. The Símúrgh then rubbed one of her feathers upon the eyes of +Rustem, and directed him to take a branch of the Kazú-tree, and make it +straight upon the fire, and form that wand into a forked arrow; after +which he was to advance against Isfendiyár, and, placing the arrow on +his bow-string, shoot it into the eyes of his enemy. "The arrow will +only make him blind," said the Símúrgh, "but he who spills the blood of +Isfendiyár will never be free from calamity during his whole life. The +Kazú-tree has also this peculiar quality: an arrow made of it is sure to +accomplish its intended errand--it never misses the aim of the archer." +Rustem expressed his boundless gratitude for this information and +assistance; and the Símúrgh having transported him back to his tent, and +affectionately kissed his face, returned to her own habitation. The +champion now prepared the arrow according to the instructions he had +received; and when morning dawned, mounted his horse, and hastened to +the field. He found Isfendiyár still sleeping, and exclaimed aloud: +"Warrior, art thou still slumbering? Rise, and see Rustem before thee!" +When the prince heard his stern voice, he started up, and in great +anxiety hurried on his armor. He said to Bashútan, "I had uncharitably +thought he would have died of his wounds in the night, but this clear +and bold voice seems to indicate perfect health--go and see whether his +wounds are bound up or not, and whether he is mounted on Rakush or on +some other horse." Rustem perceived Bashútan approach with an +inquisitive look, and conjectured that his object was to ascertain the +condition of himself and Rakush. He therefore vociferated to him: "I am +now wholly free from wounds, and so is my horse, for I possess an elixir +which heals the most cruel lacerations of the flesh the moment it is +applied; but no such wounds were inflicted upon me, the arrows of +Isfendiyár being only like needles sticking in my body." Bashútan now +reported to his brother that Rustem appeared to be more fresh and +vigorous than the day before, and, thinking from the spirit and +gallantry of his demeanor that he would be victorious in another +contest, he strongly recommended a reconciliation. + + + +THE DEATH OF ISFENDIYÁR + +Isfendiyár, blind to the march of fate, treated the suggestion of his +brother with scorn, and mounting his horse, was soon in the presence of +Rustem, whom he thus hastily addressed: "Yesterday thou wert wounded +almost to death by my arrows, and to-day there is no trace of them. How +is this? + + "But thy father Zál is a sorcerer, + And he by charm and spell + Has cured all the wounds of the warrior, + And now he is safe and well. + For the wounds I gave could never be + Closed up, excepting by sorcery. + Yes, the wounds I gave thee in every part, + Could never be cured but by magic art." + +Rustem replied, "If a thousand arrows were shot at me, they would all +drop harmless to the ground, and in the end thou wilt fall by my hands. +Therefore, if thou seekest thy own welfare, come at once and be my +guest, and I swear by the Almighty, by Zerdusht, and the Zendavesta, by +the sun and moon, that I will go with thee, but unfetterd, to thy +father, who may do with me what he lists."--"That is not enough," +replied Isfendiyár, "thou must be fettered."--"Then do not bind my arms, +and take whatever thou wilt from me."--"And what hast thou to give?" + + "A thousand jewels of brilliant hue, + And of unknown price, shall be thine; + A thousand imperial diadems too, + And a thousand damsels divine, + Who with angel-voices will sing and play, + And delight thy senses both night and day; + And my family wealth shall be brought thee, all + That was gathered by Narímán, Sám, and Zál." + +"This is all in vain," said Isfendiyár. "I may have wandered from the +way of Heaven, but I will not disobey the commands of the king. And of +what use would thy treasure and property be to me? I must please my +father, that he may surrender to me his crown and throne, and I have +solemnly sworn to him that I will place thee before him in fetters." +Rustem replied, "And in the hopes of a crown and throne thou wouldst +sacrifice thyself!"--"Thou shalt see!" said Isfendiyár, and seized his +bow to commence the combat. Rustem did the same, and when he had placed +the forked arrow in the bow-string, he imploringly turned up his face +towards Heaven, and fervently exclaimed, "O God, thou knowest how +anxiously I have wished for a reconciliation, how I have suffered, and +that I would now give all my treasures and wealth and go with him to +Irán, to avoid this conflict; but my offers are disdained, for he is +bent upon consigning me to bondage and disgrace. Thou art the redresser +of grievances--direct the flight of this arrow into his eyes, but do not +let me be punished for the involuntary deed." At this moment Isfendiyár +shot an arrow with great force at Rustem, who dexterously eluded its +point, and then, in return, instantly lodged the charmed weapon in the +eyes of his antagonist. + + And darkness overspread his sight, + The world to him was hid in night; + The bow dropped from his slackened hand, + And down he sunk upon the sand. + +"Yesterday," said Rustem, "thou discharged at me a hundred and sixty +arrows in vain, and now thou art overthrown by one arrow of mine." +Bahman, the son of Isfendiyár, seeing his father bleeding on the ground, +uttered loud lamentations, and Bashútan, followed by the Iránian troops, +also drew nigh with the deepest sorrow marked on their countenances. The +fatal arrow was immediately drawn from the wounded eyes of the prince, +and some medicine being first applied to them, they conveyed him +mournfully to his own tent. + +The conflict having thus terminated, Rustem at the same time returned +with his army to where Zál remained in anxious suspense about the +result. The old man rejoiced at the issue, but said, "O, my son, thou +hast killed thy enemy, but I have learnt from the wise men and +astrologers that the slayer of Isfendiyár must soon come to a fatal end. +May God protect thee!" Rustem replied, "I am guiltless, his blood is +upon his own head." The next day they both proceeded to visit +Isfendiyár, and offer to him their sympathy and condolence, when the +wounded prince thus spoke to Rustem: "I do not ascribe my misfortune to +thee, but to an all-ruling power. Fate would have it so, and thus it is! +I now consign to thy care and guardianship my son Bahman: instruct him +in the science of government, the customs of kings, and the rules and +stratagems of the warrior, for thou art exceedingly wise and +experienced, and perfect in all things," Rustem readily complied, and +said:-- + + "That duty shall be mine alone, + To seat him firmly on the throne." + +Then Isfendiyár murmured to Bashútan, that the anguish of his wound was +wearing him away, and that he had but a short time to live. + + "The pace of death is fast and fleet, + And nothing my life can save, + I shall want no robe, but my winding sheet, + No mansion but the grave. + + "And tell my father the wish of his heart + Has not been breathed in vain, + The doom he desired when he made me depart, + Has been sealed, and his son is slain! + + "And, O! to my mother, in kindliest tone, + The mournful tidings bear, + And soothe her woes for her warrior gone, + For her lost Isfendiyár." + +He now groaned heavily, and his last words were:-- + + "I die, pursued by unrelenting fate, + The hapless victim of a father's hate." + +Life having departed, his body was placed upon a bier, and conveyed to +Irán, amidst the tears and lamentations of the people. + +Rustem now took charge of Bahman, according to the dying request of +Isfendiyár, and brought him to Sístán. This was, however, repugnant to +the wishes of Zúára, who observed to his brother: "Thou hast slain the +father of this youth; do not therefore nurture and instruct the son of +thy enemy, for, mark me, in the end he will be avenged."--"But did not +Isfendiyár, with his last breath, consign him to my guardianship? how +can I refuse it now? It must be so written and determined in the +dispensations of Heaven." + +The arrival of the bier in Persia, at the palace of Gushtásp, produced a +melancholy scene of public and domestic affliction. The king took off +the covering and wept bitterly, and the mother and sisters exclaimed, +"Alas! thy death is not the work of human hands; it is not the work of +Rustem, nor of Zál, but of the Símúrgh. Thou hast not lived long enough +to be ashamed of a gray beard, nor to witness the maturity and +attainments of thy children. Alas! thou art snatched away at a moment of +the highest promise, even at the commencement of thy glory." In the +meanwhile the curses and imprecations of the people were poured upon the +devoted head of Gushtásp on account of his cruel and unnatural conduct, +so that he was obliged to confine himself to his palace till after the +interment of Isfendiyár. + +Rustem scrupulously fulfilled his engagement, and instructed Bahman in +all manly exercises; in the use of bow and javelin, in the management of +sword and buckler, and in all the arts and accomplishments of the +warrior. He then wrote to Gushtásp, repeating that he was unblamable in +the conflict which terminated in the death of his son Isfendiyár, that +he had offered him presents and wealth to a vast extent, and moreover +was ready to return with him to Irán, to his father; but every overture +was rejected. Relentless fate must have hurried him on to a premature +death. "I have now," continued Rustem, "completed the education of +Bahman, according to the directions of his father, and await thy further +commands." Gushtásp, after reading this letter, referred to Bashútan, +who confirmed the declarations of Rustem, and the treacherous king, +willing to ascribe the event to an overruling destiny, readily acquitted +Rustem of all guilt in killing Isfendiyár. At the same time he sent for +Bahman, and on his arrival from Sístán, was so pleased with him that he +without hesitation appointed him to succeed to the throne. + + "Methinks I see Isfendiyár again, + Thou hast the form, the very look he bore, + And since thy glorious father is no more, + Long as I live thou must with me remain." + + + +THE DEATH OF RUSTEM + +Firdusi seems to have derived the account of Shughad, and the melancholy +fate of Rustem, from a descendant of Sám and Narímán, who was +particularly acquainted with the chronicles of the heroes and the kings +of Persia. Shughad, it appears, was the son of Zál, by one of the old +warrior's maid-servants, and at his very birth the astrologers predicted +that he would be the ruin of the glorious house of Sám and Narímán, and +the destruction of their race. + + Throughout Sístán the prophecy was heard + With horror and amazement; every town + And city in Irán was full of woe, + And Zál, in deepest agony and grief, + Sent up his prayers to the Almighty Power + That he would purify the infant's heart, + And free it from that quality, foretold + As the destroyer of his ancient house. + But what are prayers, opposed by destiny? + +The child, notwithstanding, was brought up with great care and +attention, and when arrived at maturity, he was sent to the king of +Kábul, whose daughter he espoused. + +Rustem was accustomed to go to Kábul every year to receive the tribute +due to him; but on the last occasion, it is said that he exacted and +took a higher rate than usual, and thus put many of the people to +distress. The king was angry, and expressed his dissatisfaction to +Shughad, who was not slow in uttering his own discontent, saying, +"Though I am his brother, he has no respect for me, but treats me always +like an enemy. For this personal hostility I long to punish him with +death."--"But how," inquired the king, "couldst thou compass that +end?" Shughad replied, "I have well considered the subject, and propose +to accomplish my purpose in this manner. I shall feign that I have been +insulted and injured by thee, and carry my complaint to Zál and Rustem, +who will no doubt come to Kábul to redress my wrongs. Thou must in the +meantime prepare for a sporting excursion, and order a number of pits to +be dug on the road sufficiently large to hold Rustem and his horse, and +in each several swords must be placed with their points and edges +upwards. The mouths of the pits must then be slightly covered over, but +so carefully that there may be no appearance of the earth underneath +having been removed. Everything being thus ready, Rustem, on the +pretence of going to the sporting ground, must be conducted by that +road, and he will certainly fall into one of the pits, which will become +his grave." This stratagem was highly approved by the king, and it was +agreed that at a royal banquet, Shughad should revile and irritate the +king, whose indignant answer should be before all the assembly: "Thou +hast no pretensions to be thought of the stock of Sám and Narímán. Zál +pays thee no attention, at least, not such attention as he would pay to +a son, and Rustem declares thou art not his brother; indeed, all the +family treat thee as a slave." At these words, Shughad affected to be +greatly enraged, and, starting up from the banquet, hastened to Rustem +to complain of the insult offered him by the king of Kábul. Rustem +received him with demonstrations of affection, and hearing his +complaint, declared that he would immediately proceed to Kábul, depose +the king for his insolence, and place Shughad himself on the throne of +that country. In a short time they arrived at the city, and were met by +the king, who, with naked feet and in humble guise, solicited +forgiveness. Rustem was induced to pardon the offence, and was honored +in return with great apparent respect, and with boundless hospitality. +In the meantime, however, the pits were dug, and the work of destruction +in progress, and Rustem was now invited to share the sports of the +forest. The champion was highly gratified by the courtesy which the king +displayed, and mounted Rakush, anticipating a day of excellent +diversion. Shughad accompanied him, keeping on one side, whilst Rustem, +suspecting nothing, rode boldly forward. Suddenly Rakush stopped, and +though urged to advance, refused to move a step. At last the champion +became angry, and struck the noble animal severely; the blows made him +dart forward, and in a moment he unfortunately fell into one of the +pits. + + It was a place, deep, dark, and perilous, + All bristled o'er with swords, leaving no chance + Of extrication without cruel wounds; + And horse and rider sinking in the midst, + Bore many a grievous stab and many a cut + In limb and body, ghastly to the sight. + Yet from that depth, at one prodigious spring, + Rakush escaped with Rustem on his back; + But what availed that effort? Down again + Into another pit both fell together, + And yet again they rose, again, again; + Seven times down prostrate, seven times bruised and maimed, + They struggled on, till mounting up the edge + Of the seventh pit, all covered with deep wounds, + Both lay exhausted. When the champion's brain + Grew cool, and he had power to think, he knew + Full well to whom he owed this treachery, + And calling to Shughad, said: "Thou, my brother! + Why hast thou done this wrong? Was it for thee, + My father's son, by wicked plot and fraud + To work this ruin, to destroy my life?" + Shughad thus sternly answered: "'Tis for all + The blood that thou hast shed, God has decreed + This awful vengeance--now thy time is come!" + Then spoke the king of Kábul, as if pity + Had softened his false heart: "Alas! the day + That thou shouldst perish, so ignobly too, + And in my kingdom; what a wretched fate! + But bring some medicine to relieve his wounds-- + Quick, bring the matchless balm for Rustem's cure; + He must not die, the champion must not die!" + But Rustem scorned the offer, and in wrath, + Thus spoke: "How many a mighty king has died, + And left me still triumphant--still in power, + Unconquerable; treacherous thou hast been, + Inhuman, too, but Ferámurz, the brave, + Will be revenged upon thee for this crime." + +Rustem now turned towards Shughad, and in an altered and mournful tone, +told him that he was at the point of death, and asked him to string his +bow and give it to him, that he might seem as a scare-crow, to prevent +the wolves and other wild animals from devouring him when dead. + + Shughad performed the task, and lingered not, + For he rejoiced at this catastrophe, + And with a smile of fiendish satisfaction, + Placed the strong bow before him--Rustem grasped + The bended horn with such an eager hand, + That wondering at the sight, the caitiff wretch + Shuddered with terror, and behind a tree + Shielded himself, but nothing could avail; + The arrow pierced both tree and him, and they + Were thus transfixed together--thus the hour + Of death afforded one bright gleam of joy + To Rustem, who, with lifted eyes to Heaven, + Exclaimed: "Thanksgivings to the great Creator, + For granting me the power, with my own hand, + To be revenged upon my murderer!" + So saying, the great champion breathed his last, + And not a knightly follower remained, + Zúára, and the rest, in other pits, + Dug by the traitor-king, and traitor-brother, + Had sunk and perished, all, save one, who fled, + And to the afflicted veteran at Sístán + Told the sad tidings. Zál, in agony, + Tore his white hair, and wildly rent his garments, + And cried: "Why did not I die for him, why + Was I not present, fighting by his side? + But he, alas! is gone! Oh! gone forever." + +Then the old man despatched Ferámurz with a numerous force to Kábul, to +bring away the dead body of Rustem. Upon his approach, the king of Kábul +and his army retired to the mountains, and Ferámurz laid waste the +country. He found only the skeletons of Rustem and Zúára, the beasts of +prey having stripped them of their flesh: he however gathered the bones +together and conveyed them home and buried them, amidst the lamentations +of the people. After that, he returned to Kábul with his army, and +encountered the king, captured the cruel wretch, and carried him to +Sístán, where he was put to death. + +Gushtásp having become old and infirm, bequeathed his empire to Bahman, +and then died. He reigned one hundred and eight years. + + + +BAHMAN + +Bahman, the grandson of Gushtásp, having at the commencement of his +sovereignty obtained the approbation of his people, by the clemency of +his conduct and the apparent generosity of his disposition, was not long +in meditating vindictive measures against the family of Rustem. "Did not +Kai-khosráu," said he to his warriors, "revenge himself on Afrásiyáb for +the murder of Saiáwush; and have not all my glorious ancestors pursued a +similar course? Why, then, should not I be revenged on the father of +Rustem for the death of Isfendiyár?" The warriors, as usual, approved of +the king's resolution, and in consequence one hundred thousand veteran +troops were assembled for the immediate invasion of Sístán. When Bahman +had arrived on the borders of the river Behermund, he sent a message to +Zál, frankly declaring his purpose, and that he must sacrifice the lives +of himself and all his family as an atonement for Rustem's guilt in +shedding the blood of Isfendiyár. + + Zál heard his menace with astonishment, + Mingled with anguish, and he thus replied: + "Rustem was not in fault; and thou canst tell, + For thou wert present, how he wept, and prayed + That he might not be bound. How frequently + He offered all his wealth, his gold, and gems, + To be excused that ignominious thrall; + And would have followed thy impatient father + To wait upon Gushtásp; but this was scorned; + Nothing but bonds would satisfy his pride; + All this thou know'st. Then did not I and Rustem + Strictly fulfil Isfendiyár's commands, + And most assiduously endow thy mind + With all the skill and virtues of a hero, + That might deserve some kindness in return? + Now take my house, my treasure, my possessions, + Take all; but spare my family and me." + + The messenger went back, and told the tale + Of Zál's deep grief with such persuasive grace, + And piteous accent, that the heart of Bahman + Softened at every word, and the old man + Was not to suffer. After that was known, + With gorgeous presents Zál went forth to meet + The monarch in his progress to the city; + And having prostrated himself in low + Humility, retired among the train + Attendant on the king. "Thou must not walk," + Bahman exclaimed, well skilled in all the arts + Of smooth hypocrisy--"thou art too weak; + Remount thy horse, for thou requirest help." + But Zál declined the honour, and preferred + Doing that homage as illustrious Sám, + His conquering ancestor, had always done, + Barefoot, in presence of the royal race. + + Fast moving onwards, Bahman soon approached + Sístán, and entered Zál's superb abode; + Not as a friend, or a forgiving foe, + But with a spirit unappeased, unsoothed; + True, he had spared the old man's life, but there + His mercy stopped; all else was confiscate, + For every room was plundered, all the treasure + Seized and devoted to the tyrant's use. + +After remorselessly obtaining this booty, Bahman inquired what had +become of Ferámurz, and Zál pretended that, unaware of the king's +approach, he had gone a-hunting. But this excuse was easily seen +through, and the king was so indignant on the occasion, that he put Zál +himself in fetters. Ferámurz had, in fact, secretly retired with the +Zábul army to a convenient distance, for the purpose of acting as +necessity might require, and when he heard that Zál was placed in +confinement, he immediately marched against the invader and oppressor of +his country. Both armies met, and closed, and were in desperate conflict +three long days and nights. On the fourth day, a tremendous hurricane +arose, which blew thick clouds of dust in the face of the Zábul army, +and blinding them, impeded their progress, whilst the enemy were driven +furiously forward by the strong wind at their backs. The consequence was +the defeat of the Zábul troops. Ferámurz, with a few companions, +however, kept his ground, though assailed by showers of arrows. He tried +repeatedly to get face to face with Bahman, but every effort was +fruitless, and he felt convinced that his career was now nearly at an +end. He bravely defended himself, and aimed his arrows with great +precision; but what is the use of art when Fortune is unfavorable? + + When Fate's dark clouds portentous lower, + And quench the light of day, + No effort, none, of human power, + Can chase the gloom away. + Arrows may fly a countless shower, + Amidst the desperate fray; + But not to sword or arrow death is given, + Unless decreed by favouring Heaven + +And it was so decreed that the exertions of Ferámurz should be +unsuccessful. His horse fell, he was wounded severely, and whilst +insensible, the enemy secured and conveyed him in fetters to Bahman, who +immediately ordered him to be hanged. The king then directed all the +people of Sístán to be put to the sword; upon which Bashútan said: +"Alas! why should the innocent and unoffending people be thus made to +perish? Hast thou no fear of God? Thou hast taken vengeance for thy +father, by slaying Ferámurz, the son of Rustem. Is not that enough? Be +merciful and beneficent now to the people, and thank Heaven for the +great victory thou hast gained." Bahman was thus withdrawn from his +wicked purpose, and was also induced to liberate Zál, whose age and +infirmities had rendered him perfectly harmless. He not only did this, +but restored to him the possession of Sístán; and divesting himself of +all further revenge, returned to Persia. There he continued to exercise +the functions of royalty, till one day he happened to be bitten by a +snake, whose venom was so excruciating, that remedies were of no avail, +and he died of the wound, in the eighth year of his reign. Although he +had a son named Sassán, he did not appoint him his successor; but gave +the crown and the throne to his wife, Húmaí, whom he had married a short +time before his death, saying: "If Húmaí should have a son, that son +shall be my successor; but if a daughter, Húmaí continue to reign." + + + +HÚMAI AND THE BIRTH OF DÁRÁB + +Wisdom and generosity were said to have marked the government of Húmaí. +In justice and beneficence she was unequalled. No misfortune happened in +her days: even the poor and the needy became rich. She gave birth to a +son, whom she entrusted to a nurse to be brought up secretly, and +declared publicly that it had died the same day it was born. At this +event the people rejoiced, for they were happy under the administration +of Húmaí. Upon the boy attaining his seventh month, however, the queen +sent for him, and wrapping him up in rich garments, put him in a box, +and when she had fastened down the cover, gave it to two confidential +servants, in the middle of the night, to be flung into the Euphrates. +"For," thought she, "if he be found in the city, there will be an end to +my authority, and the crown will be placed upon his head; wiser, +therefore, will it be for me to cast him into the river; and if it +please God to preserve him, he may be nurtured, and brought up in +another country." Accordingly in the darkness of night, the box was +thrown into the Euphrates, and it floated rapidly down the stream for +some time without being observed. + + Amidst the waters, in that little ark + Was launched the future monarch. But, vain mortal! + How bootless are thy most ingenious schemes, + Thy wisest projects! Such were thine, Húmaí! + Presumptuous as thou wert to think success + Would crown that deed unnatural and unjust. + But human passions, human expectations + Are happily controlled by righteous Heaven. + +In the morning the ark was noticed by a washerman; who, curious to know +what it contained, drew it to the shore, and opened the lid. Within the +box he then saw splendid silk-embroidered scarfs and costly raiment, and +upon them a lovely infant asleep. He immediately took up the child, and +carried it to his wife, saying: "It was but yesterday that our own +infant died, and now the Almighty has sent thee another in its place." +The woman looked at the child with affection, and taking it in her arms +fed it with her own milk. In the box they also found jewels and rubies, +and they congratulated themselves upon being at length blessed by +Providence with wealth, and a boy at the same time. They called him +Dáráb, and the child soon began to speak in the language of his +foster-parents. The washerman and his wife, for fear that the boy and +the wealth might be discovered, thought it safest to quit their home, +and sojourn in another country. When Dáráb grew up, he was more skilful +and accomplished, and more expert at wrestling than other boys of a +greater age. But whenever the washerman told him to assist in washing +clothes, he always ran away, and would not stoop to the drudgery. This +untoward behavior grieved the washerman exceedingly, and he lamented +that God had given him so useless a son, not knowing that he was +destined to be the sovereign of all the world. + + How little thought he, whilst the task he prest, + A purer spirit warmed the stripling's breast, + Whose opening soul, by kingly pride inspired, + Disdained the toil a menial slave required; + The royal branch on high its foliage flung, + And showed the lofty stem from which it sprung. + +Dáráb was now sent to school, and he soon excelled his master, who +continually said to the washerman: "Thy son is of wonderful capacity, +acute and intelligent beyond his years, of an enlarged understanding, +and will be at least the minister of a king." Dáráb requested to have +another master, and also a fine horse of Irák, that he might acquire the +science and accomplishments of a warrior; but the washerman replied that +he was too poor to comply with his wishes, which threw the youth into +despair, so that he did not touch a morsel of food for two days +together. His foster-mother, deeply affected by his disappointment, and +naturally anxious to gratify his desires, gave an article of value to +the washerman, that he might sell it, and with the money purchase the +horse required. The horse obtained, he was daily instructed in the art +of using the bow, the javelin, and the sword, and in every exercise +becoming a young gentleman and a warrior. So devouringly did he +persevere in his studies, and in his exertions to excel, that he never +remained a moment unoccupied at home or abroad. The development of his +talents and genius suggested to him an inquiry who he was, and how he +came into the house of a washerman; and his foster-mother, in compliance +with his entreaties, described to him the manner in which he was found. +He had long been miserable at the thoughts of being the son of a +washerman, but now he rejoiced, and looked upon himself as the son of +some person of consideration. He asked her if she had anything that was +taken out of the box, and she replied: "Two valuable rubies remain." The +youth requested them to be brought to him; one he bound round his arm, +and the other he sold to pay the expenses of travelling and change of +place. + +At that time, it is said, the king of Rúm had sent an army into the +country of Irán. Upon receiving this information, Húmaí told her +general, named Rishnawád, to collect a force corresponding with the +emergency; and he issued a proclamation, inviting all young men desirous +of military glory to flock to his standard. Dáráb heard this +proclamation with delight, and among others hastened to Rishnawád, who +presented the young warriors as they arrived successively to Húmaí. The +queen steadfastly marked the majestic form and features of Dáráb, and +said in her heart: "The youth who bears this dignified and royal aspect, +appears to be a Kaiánian by birth;" and as she spoke, the instinctive +feeling of a mother seemed to agitate her bosom. + + The queen beheld his form and face, + The scion of a princely race; + And natural instinct seemed to move + Her heart, which spoke a mother's love; + She gazed, but like the lightning's ray, + That sudden thrill soon passed away. + +The army was now in motion. After the first march, a tremendous wind and +heavy rain came on, and all the soldiers were under tents, excepting +Dáráb, who had none, and was obliged to take shelter from the inclemency +of the weather beneath an archway, where he laid himself down, and fell +asleep. Suddenly a supernatural voice was heard, saying:-- + + "Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no ruined fragment fall! + He who sleeps beneath is one + Destined to a royal throne. + Arch! a monarch claims thy care, + The king of Persia slumbers there!" + +The voice was heard by every one near, and Rishnawád having also heard +it, inquired of his people from whence it came. As he spoke, the voice +repeated its caution:-- + + "Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no ruined fragment fall! + Bahman's son is in thy keeping; + He beneath thy roof is sleeping. + Though the winds are loudly roaring, + And the rain in torrents pouring, + Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no loosened fragment fall." + +Again Rishnawád sent other persons to ascertain from whence the voice +proceeded; and they returned, saying, that it was not of the earth, but +from Heaven. Again the caution sounded in his ears:-- + + "Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no loosened fragment fall." + +And his amazement increased. He now sent a person under the archway to +see if any one was there, when the youth was discovered in deep sleep +upon the ground, and the arch above him rent and broken in many parts. +Rishnawád being apprised of this circumstance, desired that he might be +awakened and brought to him. The moment he was removed, the whole of the +arch fell down with a dreadful crash, and this wonderful escape was also +communicated to the leader of the army, who by a strict and particular +enquiry soon became acquainted with all the occurrences of the +stranger's life. Rishnawád also summoned before him the washerman and +his wife, and they corroborated the story he had been told. Indeed he +himself recognized the ruby on Dáráb's arm, which convinced him that he +was the son of Bahman, whom Húmaí caused to be thrown into the +Euphrates. Thus satisfied of his identity, he treated him with great +honor, placed him on his right hand, and appointed him to a high command +in the army. Soon afterwards an engagement took place with the Rúmís, +and Dáráb in the advanced guard performed prodigies of valor. The battle +lasted all day, and in the evening Rishnawád bestowed upon him the +praise which he merited. Next day the army was again prepared for +battle, when Dáráb proposed that the leader should remain quiet, whilst +he with a chosen band of soldiers attacked the whole force of the enemy. +The proposal being agreed to, he advanced with fearless impetuosity to +the contest. + + With loosened rein he rushed along the field, + And through opposing numbers hewed his path, + Then pierced the Kulub-gah, the centre-host, + Where many a warrior brave, renowned in arms, + Fell by his sword. Like sheep before a wolf + The harassed Rúmís fled; for none had power + To cope with his strong arm. His wondrous might + Alone, subdued the legions right and left; + And when, unwearied, he had fought his way + To where great Kaísar stood, night came, and darkness, + Shielding the trembling emperor of Rúm, + Snatched the expected triumph from his hands. + +Rishnawád was so filled with admiration at his splendid prowess, that he +now offered him the most magnificent presents; but when they were +exposed to his view, a suit of armor was the only thing he would accept. + +The Rúmís were entirely disheartened by his valor, and they said: "We +understood that the sovereign of Persia was only a woman, and that the +conquest of the empire would be no difficult task; but this woman seems +to be more fortunate than a warrior-king. Even her general remains +inactive with the great body of his army; and a youth, with a small +force, is sufficient to subdue the legions of Rúm; we had, therefore, +better return to our own country." The principal warriors entertained +the same sentiments, and suggested to Kaísar the necessity of retiring +from the field; but the king opposed this measure, thinking it cowardly +and disgraceful, and said:-- + + "To-morrow we renew the fight, + To-morrow we shall try our might; + To-morrow, with the smiles of Heaven, + To us the victory will be given." + +Accordingly on the following day the armies met again, and after a +sanguinary struggle, the Persians were again triumphant. Kaísar now +despaired of success, sent a messenger to Rishnawád, in which he +acknowledged the aggressions he had committed, and offered to pay him +whatever tribute he might require. Rishnawád readily settled the terms +of the peace; and the emperor was permitted to return to his own +dominions. + +After this event Rishnawád sent to Húmaí intelligence of the victories +he had gained, and of the surprising valor of Dáráb, transmitting to her +the ruby as an evidence of his birth. Húmaí was at once convinced that +he was her son, for she well remembered the day on which he was enrolled +as one of her soldiers, when her heart throbbed with instinctive +affection at the sight of him; and though she had unfortunately failed +to question him then, she now rejoiced that he was so near being +restored to her. She immediately proceeded to the Atish-gadeh, or the +Fire-altar, and made an offering on the occasion; and ordering a great +fire to be lighted, gave immense sums away in charity to the poor. +Having called Dáráb to her presence, she went with a splendid retinue to +meet him at the distance of one journey from the city; and as soon as he +approached, she pressed him to her bosom, and kissed his head and eyes +with the fondest affection of a mother. Upon the first day of happy +omen, she relinquished in his favor the crown and the throne, after +having herself reigned thirty-two years. + + + +DÁRÁB AND DÁRÁ + +When Dáráb had ascended the throne, he conducted the affairs of the +kingdom with humanity, justice, and benevolence; and by these means +secured the happiness of his people. He had no sooner commenced his +reign, than he sent for the washerman and his wife, and enriched them by +his gifts. "But," said he, "I present to you this property on these +conditions--you must not give up your occupation--you must go every day, +as usual, to the river-side, and wash clothes; for perhaps in process of +time you may discover another box floating down the stream, containing +another infant!" With these conditions the washerman complied. + +Some time afterwards the kingdom was invaded by an Arabian army, +consisting of one hundred thousand men, and commanded by Sháíb, a +distinguished warrior. Dáráb was engaged with this army three days and +three nights, and on the fourth morning the battle terminated, in +consequence of Sháíb being slain. The booty was immense, and a vast +number of Arabian horses fell into the hands of the victor; which, +together with the quantity of treasure captured, strengthened greatly +the resources of the state. The success of this campaign enabled Dáráb +to extend his military operations; and having put his army in order, he +proceeded against Failakús (Philip of Macedon), then king of Rúm, whom +he defeated with great loss. Many were put to the sword, and the women +and children carried into captivity. Failakús himself took refuge in the +fortress of Amúr, from whence he sent an ambassador to Dáráb, saying, +that if peace was only granted to him, he would willingly consent to any +terms that might be demanded. When the ambassador arrived, Dáráb said to +him: "If Failakús will bestow upon me his daughter, Nahíd, peace shall +be instantly re-established between us--I require no other terms." +Failakús readily agreed, and sent Nahíd with numerous splendid presents +to the king of Persia, who espoused her, and took her with him to his +own country. It so happened that Nahíd had an offensive breath, which +was extremely disagreeable to her husband, and in consequence he +directed enquiries to be made everywhere for a remedy. No place was left +unexplored; at length an herb of peculiar efficacy and fragrance was +discovered, which never failed to remove the imperfection complained of; +and it was accordingly administered with confident hopes of success. +Nahíd was desired to wash her mouth with the infused herb, and in a few +days her breath became balmy and pure. When she found she was likely to +become a mother she did not communicate the circumstance, but requested +permission to pay a visit to her father. The request was granted; and on +her arrival in Rúm she was delivered of a son. Failakús had no male +offspring, and was overjoyed at this event, which he at once determined +to keep unknown to Dáráb, publishing abroad that a son had been born in +his house, and causing it to be understood that the child was his own. +When the boy grew up, he was called Sikander; and, like Rustem, became +highly accomplished in all the arts of diplomacy and war. Failakús +placed him under Aristátalís, a sage of great renown, and he soon +equalled his master in learning and science. + +Dáráb married another wife, by whom he had another son, named Dárá; and +when the youth was twenty years of age, the father died. The period of +Dáráb's reign was thirty-four years. + +Dárá continued the government of the empire in the same spirit as his +father; claiming custom and tribute from the inferior rulers, with +similar strictness and decision. After the death of Failakús, Sikander +became the king of Rúm; and refusing to pay the demanded tribute to +Persia, went to war with Dárá, whom he killed in battle; the particulars +of these events will be presently shown. Failakús reigned twenty-four +years. + + + +SIKANDER + +Failakús, before his death, placed the crown of sovereignty upon the +head of Sikander, and appointed Aristú, who was one of the disciples of +the great Aflátún, his vizir. He cautioned him to pursue the path of +virtue and rectitude, and to cast from his heart every feeling of vanity +and pride; above all he implored him to be just and merciful, and +said:-- + + "Think not that thou art wise, but ignorant, + And ever listen to advice and counsel; + We are but dust, and from the dust created; + And what our lives but helplessness and sorrow!" + +Sikander for a time attended faithfully to the instructions of his +father, and to the counsel of Aristú, both in public and private +affairs. + +Upon Sikander's elevation to the throne, Dárá sent an envoy to him to +claim the customary tribute, but he received for answer: "The time is +past when Rúm acknowledged the superiority of Persia. It is now thy turn +to pay tribute to Rúm. If my demand be refused, I will immediately +invade thy dominions; and think not that I shall be satisfied with the +conquest of Persia alone, the whole world shall be mine; therefore +prepare for war." Dárá had no alternative, not even submission, and +accordingly assembled his army, for Sikander was already in full march +against him. Upon the confines of Persia the armies came in sight of +each other, when Sikander, in the assumed character of an envoy, was +resolved to ascertain the exact condition of the enemy. With this view +he entered the Persian camp, and Dárá allowing the person whom he +supposed an ambassador, to approach, enquired what message the king of +Rúm had sent to him. "Hear me!" said the pretended envoy: "Sikander has +not invaded thy empire for the exclusive purpose of fighting, but to +know its history, its laws, and customs, from personal inspection. His +object is to travel through the whole world. Why then should he make war +upon thee? Give him but a free passage through thy kingdom, and nothing +more is required. However if it be thy wish to proceed to hostilities, +he apprehends nothing from the greatness of thy power." Dárá was +astonished at the majestic air and dignity of the envoy, never having +witnessed his equal, and he anxiously said:-- + + "What is thy name, from whom art thou descended? + For that commanding front, that fearless eye, + Bespeaks illustrious birth. Art thou indeed + Sikander, whom my fancy would believe thee, + So eloquent in speech, in mien so noble?" + "No!" said the envoy, "no such rank is mine, + Sikander holds among his numerous host + Thousands superior to the humble slave + Who stands before thee. It is not for me + To put upon myself the air of kings, + To ape their manners and their lofty state." + +Dárá could not help smiling, and ordered refreshments and wine to be +brought. He filled a cup and gave it to the envoy, who drank it off, but +did not, according to custom, return the empty goblet to the cup-bearer. +The cup-bearer demanded the cup, and Dárá asked the envoy why he did not +give it back. "It is the custom in my country," said the envoy, "when a +cup is once given into an ambassador's hands, never to receive it back +again." Dárá was still more amused by this explanation, and presented to +him another cup, and successively four, which the envoy did not fail to +appropriate severally in the same way. In the evening a feast was held, +and Sikander partook of the delicious refreshments that had been +prepared for him; but in the midst of the entertainment one of the +persons present recognized him, and immediately whispered to Dárá that +his enemy was in his power. + + Sikander's sharp and cautious eye now marked + The changing scene, and up he sprang, but first + Snatched the four cups, and rushing from the tent, + Vaulted upon his horse, and rode away. + So instantaneous was the act, amazed + The assembly rose, and presently a troop + Was ordered in pursuit--but night, dark night, + Baffled their search, and checked their eager speed. + +As soon as he reached his own army, he sent for Aristátalís and his +courtiers, and exultingly displayed to them the four golden cups. +"These," said he, "have I taken from my enemy, I have taken them from +his own table, and before his own eyes. His strength and numbers too I +have ascertained, and my success is certain." No time was now lost in +arrangements for the battle. The armies engaged, and they fought seven +days without a decisive blow being struck. On the eighth, Dárá was +compelled to fly, and his legions, defeated and harassed, were pursued +by the Rúmís with great slaughter to the banks of the Euphrates. +Sikander now returned to take possession of the capital. In the meantime +Dárá collected his scattered forces together, and again tried his +fortune, but he was again defeated. After his second success, the +conqueror devoted himself so zealously to conciliate and win the +affections of the people, that they soon ceased to remember their former +king with any degree of attachment to his interests. Sikander said to +them: "Persia indeed is my inheritance: I am no stranger to you, for I +am myself descended from Dáráb; you may therefore safely trust to my +justice and paternal care, in everything that concerns your welfare." +The result was, that legion after legion united in his cause, and +consolidated his power. + +When Dárá was informed of the universal disaffection of his army, he +said to the remaining friends who were personally devoted to him: "Alas! +my subjects have been deluded by the artful dissimulation and skill of +Sikander; your next misfortune will be the captivity of your wives and +children. Yes, your wives and children will be made the slaves of the +conquerors." A few troops, still faithful to their unfortunate king, +offered to make another effort against the enemy, and Dárá was too +grateful and too brave to discountenance their enthusiastic fidelity, +though with such little chance of success. A fragment of an army was +consequently brought into action, and the result was what had been +anticipated. Dárá was again a fugitive; and after the defeat, escaped +with three hundred men into the neighboring desert. Sikander captured +his wife and family, but magnanimously restored them to the unfortunate +monarch, who, destitute of all further hope, now asked for a place of +refuge in his own dominions, and for that he offered him all the buried +treasure of his ancestors. Sikander, in reply, invited him to his +presence; and promised to restore him to his throne, that he might +himself be enabled to pursue other conquests; but Dárá refused to go, +although advised by his nobles to accept the invitation. "I am willing +to put myself to death," said he with emotion, "but I cannot submit to +this degradation. I cannot go before him, and thus personally +acknowledge his authority over me." Resolved upon this point, he wrote +to Faúr, one of the sovereigns of Ind, to request his assistance, and +Faúr recommended that he should pay him a visit for the purpose of +concerting what measures should be adopted. This correspondence having +come to the knowledge of Sikander, he took care that his enemy should be +intercepted in whatever direction he might proceed. + +Dárá had two ministers, named Mahiyár and Jamúsipár, who, finding that +according to the predictions of the astrologers their master would in a +few days fall into the hands of Sikander, consulted together, and +thought they had better put him to death themselves, in order that they +might get into favor with Sikander. It was night, and the soldiers of +the escort were dispersed at various distances, and the vizirs were +stationed on each side of the king. As they travelled on, Jamúsipár took +an opportunity of plunging his dagger into Dárá's side, and Mahiyár gave +another blow, which felled the monarch to the ground. They immediately +sent the tidings of this event to Sikander, who hastened to the spot, +and the opening daylight presented to his view the wounded king. + + Dismounting quickly, he in sorrow placed + The head of Dárá on his lap, and wept + In bitterness of soul, to see that form + Mangled with ghastly wounds. + +Dárá still breathed; and when he lifted up his eyes and beheld Sikander, +he groaned deeply. Sikander said, "Rise up, that we may convey thee to a +place of safety, and apply the proper remedies to thy wounds."--"Alas!" +replied Dárá, "the time for remedies is past. I leave thee to Heaven, +and may thy reign give peace and happiness to the empire."--"Never," +said Sikander, "never did I desire to see thee thus mangled and +fallen--never to witness this sight! If the Almighty should spare thy +life, thou shalt again be the monarch of Persia, and I will go from +hence. On my mother's word, thou and I are sons of the same father. It +is this brotherly affection which now wrings my heart!" Saying this, the +tears chased each other down his cheeks in such abundance that they fell +upon the face of Dárá. Again, he said, "Thy murderers shall meet with +merited vengeance, they shall be punished to the uttermost." Dárá +blessed him, and said, "My end is approaching, but thy sweet discourse +and consoling kindness have banished all my grief. I shall now die with +a mind at rest. Weep no more-- + + "My course is finished, thine is scarce begun; + But hear my dying wish, my last request: + Preserve the honour of my family, + Preserve it from disgrace. I have a daughter + Dearer to me than life, her name is Roshung; + Espouse her, I beseech thee--and if Heaven + Should bless thee with a boy, O! let his name be + Isfendiyár, that he may propagate + With zeal the sacred doctrines of Zerdusht, + The Zendavesta, then my soul will be + Happy in Heaven; and he, at Náu-rúz tide, + Will also hold the festival I love, + And at the altar light the Holy Fire; + Nor will he cease his labour, till the faith + Of Lohurásp be everywhere accepted, + And everywhere believed the true religion." + +Sikander promised that he would assuredly fulfil the wishes he had +expressed, and then Dárá placed the palm of his brother's hand on his +mouth, and shortly afterwards expired. Sikander again wept bitterly, and +then the body was placed on a golden couch, and he attended it in sorrow +to the grave. + +After the burial of Dárá, the two ministers, Jamúsipár and Mahiyár, were +brought near the tomb, and executed upon the dar. + + Just vengeance upon the guilty head, + For they their generous monarch's blood had shed. + +Sikander had now no rival to the throne of Persia, and he commenced his +government under the most favorable auspices. He continued the same +customs and ordinances which were handed down to him, and retained every +one in his established rank and occupation. He gladdened the heart by +his justice and liberality. Keeping in mind his promise to Dárá, he now +wrote to the mother of Roshung, and communicating to her the dying +solicitations of the king, requested her to send Roshung to him, that he +might fulfil the last wish of his brother. The wife of Dárá immediately +complied with the command, and sent her daughter with various presents +to Sikander, and she was on her arrival married to the conqueror, +acceding to the customs and laws of the empire. Sikander loved her +exceedingly, and on her account remained some time in Persia, but he at +length determined to proceed into Ind to conquer that country of +enchanters and enchantment. + +On approaching Ind he wrote to Kaid, summoning him to surrender his +kingdom, and received from him the following answer: "I will certainly +submit to thy authority, but I have four things which no other person in +the world possesses, and which I cannot relinquish. I have a daughter, +beautiful as an angel of Paradise, a wise minister, a skilful physician, +and a goblet of inestimable value!" Upon receiving this extraordinary +reply, Sikander again addressed a letter to him, in which he +peremptorily required all these things immediately. Kaid not daring to +refuse, or make any attempt at evasion, reluctantly complied with the +requisition. Sikander received the minister and the physician with great +politeness and attention, and in the evening held a splendid feast, at +which he espoused the beautiful daughter of Kaid, and taking the goblet +from her hands, drank off the wine with which it was filled. After that, +Kaid himself waited upon Sikander, and personally acknowledged his +authority and dominion. + +Sikander then proceeded to claim the allegiance and homage of Faúr, the +king of Kanúj, and wrote to him to submit to his power; but Faúr +returned a haughty answer, saying:-- + + "Kaid Indí is a coward to obey thee, + But I am Faúr, descended from a race + Of matchless warriors; and shall I submit, + And to a Greek!" + +Sikander was highly incensed at this bold reply. The force he had now +with him amounted to eighty thousand men; that is, thirty thousand +Iránians, forty thousand Rúmís, and ten thousand Indís. Faúr had sixty +thousand horsemen, and two thousand elephants. The troops of Sikander +were greatly terrified at the sight of so many elephants, which gave the +enemy such a tremendous superiority. Aristátalís, and some other +ingenious counsellors, were requested to consult together to contrive +some means of counteracting the power of the war-elephants, and they +suggested the construction of an iron horse, and the figure of a rider +also of iron, to be placed upon wheels like a carriage, and drawn by a +number of horses. A soldier, clothed in iron armor, was to follow the +vehicle--his hands and face besmeared with combustible matter, and this +soldier, armed with a long staff, was at an appointed signal, to pierce +the belly of the horse and also of the rider, previously filled with +combustibles, so that when the ignited point came in contact with them, +the whole engine would make a tremendous explosion and blaze in the air. +Sikander approved of this invention, and collected all the blacksmiths +and artisans in the country to construct a thousand machines of this +description with the utmost expedition, and as soon as they were +completed, he prepared for action. Faúr too pushed forward with his two +thousand elephants in advance; but when the Kanújians beheld such a +formidable array they were surprised, and Faúr anxiously inquired from +his spies what it could be. Upon being told that it was Sikander's +artillery, his troops pushed the elephants against the enemy with vigor, +at which moment the combustibles were fired by the Rúmís, and the +machinery exploding, many elephants were burnt and destroyed, and the +remainder, with the troops, fled in confusion. Sikander then encountered +Faúr, and after a severe contest, slew him, and became ruler of the +kingdom of Kanúj. + +After the conquest of Kanúj, Sikander went to Mekka, carrying thither +rich presents and offerings. From thence he proceeded to another city, +where he was received with great homage by the most illustrious of the +nation. He enquired of them if there was anything wonderful or +extraordinary in their country, that he might go to see it, and they +replied that there were two trees in the kingdom, one a male, the other +a female, from which a voice proceeded. The male-tree spoke in the day, +and the female-tree in the night, and whoever had a wish, went thither +to have his desires accomplished. Sikander immediately repaired to the +spot, and approaching it, he hoped in his heart that a considerable part +of his life still remained to be enjoyed. When he came under the tree, a +terrible sound arose and rung in his ears, and he asked the people +present what it meant. The attendant priest said it implied that +fourteen years of his life still remained. Sikander, at this +interpretation of the prophetic sound, wept and the burning tears ran +down his cheeks. Again he asked, "Shall I return to Rúm, and see my +mother and children before I die?" and the answer was, "Thou wilt die at +Kashán.[51] + + "Nor mother, nor thy family at home + Wilt thou behold again, for thou wilt die, + Closing thy course of glory at Kashán." + +Sikander left the place in sorrow, and pursued his way towards Rúm. In +his progress he arrived at another city, and the inhabitants gave him +the most honorable welcome, representing to him, however, that they were +dreadfully afflicted by the presence of two demons or giants, who +constantly assailed them in the night, devouring men and goats and +whatever came in their way. Sikander asked their names; and they +replied, Yájuj and Májuj (Gog and Magog). He immediately ordered a +barrier to be erected five hundred yards high, and three hundred yards +wide, and when it was finished he went away. The giants, notwithstanding +all their efforts, were unable to scale this barrier, and in consequence +the inhabitants pursued their occupations without the fear of +molestation. + + To scenes of noble daring still he turned + His ardent spirit--for he knew not fear. + Still he led on his legions--and now came + To a strange place, where countless numbers met + His wondering view--countless inhabitants + Crowding the city streets, and neighbouring plains; + And in the distance presently he saw + A lofty mountain reaching to the stars. + Onward proceeding, at its foot he found + A guardian-dragon, terrible in form, + Ready with open jaws to crush his victim; + But unappalled, Sikander him beholding + With steady eye, which scorned to turn aside, + Sprang forward, and at once the monster slew. + + Ascending then the mountain, many a ridge, + Oft resting on the way, he reached the summit, + Where the dead corse of an old saint appeared + Wrapt in his grave-clothes, and in gems imbedded. + In gold and precious jewels glittering round, + Seeming to show what man is, mortal man! + Wealth, worldly pomp, the baubles of ambition, + All left behind, himself a heap of dust! + + None ever went upon that mountain top, + But sought for knowledge; and Sikander hoped + When he had reached its cloudy eminence, + To see the visions of futurity + Arise from that departed, holy man! + And soon he heard a voice: "Thy time is nigh! + Yet may I thy career on earth unfold. + It will be thine to conquer many a realm, + Win many a crown; thou wilt have many friends + And numerous foes, and thy devoted head + Will be uplifted to the very heavens. + Renowned and glorious shalt thou be; thy name + Immortal; but, alas! thy time is nigh!" + At these prophetic words Sikander wept, + And from that ominous mountain hastened down. + +After that Sikander journeyed on to the city of Kashán, where he fell +sick, and in a few days, according to the oracle and the prophecy, +expired. He had scarcely breathed his last, when Aristú, and Bilniyás +the physician, and his family, entered Kashán, and found him dead. They +beat their faces, and tore their hair, and mourned for him forty days. + + + +FIRDUSI'S INVOCATION + + Thee I invoke, the Lord of Life and Light! + Beyond imagination pure and bright! + To thee, sufficing praise no tongue can give, + We are thy creatures, and in thee we live! + Thou art the summit, depth, the all in all, + Creator, Guardian of this earthly ball; + Whatever is, thou art--Protector, King, + From thee all goodness, truth, and mercy spring. + O pardon the misdeeds of him who now + Bends in thy presence with a suppliant brow. + Teach them to tread the path thy Prophet trod; + To wash his heart from sin, to know his God; + And gently lead him to that home of rest, + Where filled with holiest rapture dwell the blest. + + Saith not that book divine, from Heaven supplied, + "Mustafa is the true, the unerring guide, + The purest, greatest Prophet!" Next him came + Wise Abu Buker, of unblemished name; + Then Omer taught the faith, unknown to guile, + And made the world with vernal freshness smile; + Then Othmán brave th' imperial priesthood graced; + All, led by him, the Prophet's faith embraced. + The fourth was Alí; he, the spouse adored + Of Fatima, then spread the saving word. + Alí, of whom Mahommed spoke elate, + "I am the city of knowledge--he my gate." + Alí the blest. Whoever shall recline + A supplicant at his all-powerful shrine, + Enjoys both this life and the next; in this, + All earthly good, in that, eternal bliss! + + From records true my legends I rehearse, + And string the pearls of wisdom in my verse, + That in the glimmering days of life's decline, + Its fruits, in wealth and honor, may be mine. + My verse, a structure pointing to the skies; + Whose solid strength destroying time defies. + All praise the noble work, save only those + Of impious life, or base malignant foes; + All blest with learning read, and read again, + The sovereign smiles, and thus approves my strain: + "Richer by far, Firdusi, than a mine + Of precious gems, is this bright lay of thine." + Centuries may pass away, but still my page + Will be the boast of each succeeding age. + + Praise, praise to Mahmud, who of like renown, + In battle or the banquet, fills the throne; + Lord of the realms of Chín and Hindústán, + Sovereign and Lord of Persia and Túrán, + With his loud voice he rends the flintiest ear; + On land a tiger fierce, untouched by fear, + And on the wave, he seems the crocodile + That prowls amidst the waters of the Nile. + Generous and brave, his equal is unknown; + In deeds of princely worth he stands alone. + The infant in the cradle lisps his name; + The world exults in Mahmud's spotless fame. + In festive hours Heaven smiles upon his truth; + In combat deadly as the dragon's tooth; + Bounteous in all things, his exhaustless hand + Diffuses blessings through the grateful land; + And, of the noblest thoughts and actions, lord; + The soul of Gabriel breathes in every word, + May Heaven with added glory crown his days; + Praise, praise to mighty Mahmud--everlasting praise! + + + +FIRDUSI'S SATIRE ON MAHMUD + + Know, tyrant as thou art, this earthly state + Is not eternal, but of transient date; + Fear God, then, and afflict not human-kind; + To merit Heaven, be thou to Heaven resigned. + Afflict not even the Ant; though weak and small, + It breathes and lives, and life is sweet to all. + Knowing my temper, firm, and stern, and bold, + Didst thou not, tyrant, tremble to behold + My sword blood-dropping? Hadst thou not the sense + To shrink from giving man like me offence? + What could impel thee to an act so base? + What, but to earn and prove thy own disgrace? + Why was I sentenced to be trod upon, + And crushed to death by elephants? By one + Whose power I scorn! Couldst thou presume that I + Would be appalled by thee, whom I defy? + I am the lion, I, inured to blood, + And make the impious and the base my food; + And I could grind thy limbs, and spread them far + As Nile's dark waters their rich treasures bear. + Fear thee! I fear not man, but God alone, + I only bow to his Almighty throne. + Inspired by Him my ready numbers flow; + Guarded by Him I dread no earthly foe. + Thus in the pride of song I pass my days, + Offering to Heaven my gratitude and praise. + + From every trace of sense and feeling free, + When thou art dead, what will become of thee? + If thou shouldst tear me limb from limb, and cast + My dust and ashes to the angry blast, + Firdusi still would live, since on thy name, + Mahmud, I did not rest my hopes of fame + In the bright page of my heroic song, + But on the God of Heaven, to whom belong + Boundless thanksgivings, and on Him whose love + Supports the Faithful in the realms above, + The mighty Prophet! none who e'er reposed + On Him, existence without hope has closed. + + And thou wouldst hurl me underneath the tread + Of the wild elephant, till I were dead! + Dead! by that insult roused, I should become + An elephant in power, and seal thy doom-- + Mahmud! if fear of man hath never awed + Thy heart, at least fear thy Creator, God. + Full many a warrior of illustrious worth, + Full many of humble, of imperial birth: + Túr, Sílim, Jemshíd, Minúchihr the brave, + Have died; for nothing had the power to save + These mighty monarchs from the common doom; + They died, but blest in memory still they bloom. + Thus kings too perish--none on earth remain, + Since all things human seek the dust again. + + O, had thy father graced a kingly throne, + Thy mother been for royal virtues known, + A different fate the poet then had shared, + Honors and wealth had been his just reward; + But how remote from thee a glorious line! + No high, ennobling ancestry is thine; + From a vile stock thy bold career began, + A Blacksmith was thy sire of Isfahán. + Alas! from vice can goodness ever spring? + Is mercy hoped for in a tyrant king? + Can water wash the Ethiopian white? + Can we remove the darkness from the night? + The tree to which a bitter fruit is given, + Would still be bitter in the bowers of Heaven; + And a bad heart keeps on its vicious course; + Or if it changes, changes for the worse; + Whilst streams of milk, where Eden's flowrets blow, + Acquire more honied sweetness as they flow. + The reckless king who grinds the poor like thee, + Must ever be consigned to infamy! + + Now mark Firdusi's strain, his Book of Kings + Will ever soar upon triumphant wings. + All who have listened to its various lore + Rejoice, the wise grow wiser than before; + Heroes of other times, of ancient days, + Forever flourish in my sounding lays; + Have I not sung of Káús, Tús, and Gíw; + Of matchless Rustem, faithful, still, and true. + Of the great Demon-binder, who could throw + His kamund to the Heavens, and seize his foe! + Of Húsheng, Feridún, and Sám Suwár, + Lohurásp, Kai-khosráu, and Isfendiyár; + Gushtásp, Arjásp, and him of mighty name, + Gúdarz, with eighty sons of martial fame! + + The toil of thirty years is now complete, + Record sublime of many a warlike feat, + Written midst toil and trouble, but the strain + Awakens every heart, and will remain + A lasting stimulus to glorious deeds; + For even the bashful maid, who kindling reads, + Becomes a warrior. Thirty years of care, + Urged on by royal promise, did I bear, + And now, deceived and scorned, the aged bard + Is basely cheated of his pledged reward! + + + +[FOOTNOTES to the SHÁH NÁMEH] + +[Footnote 1: Love at first sight, and of the most enthusiastic kind, is +the passion described in all Persian poems, as if a whole life of love +were condensed into one moment. It is all wild and rapturous. It has +nothing of a rational cast. A casual glance from an unknown beauty often +affords the subject of a poem. The poets whom Dr. Johnson has +denominated metaphysical, such as Donne, Jonson, and Cowley, bear a +strong resemblance to the Persians on the subject of love. + + Now, sure, within this twelvemonth past, + I've loved at least some twenty years or more; + Th' account of love runs much more fast, + Than that with which our life does score: + So, though my life be short, yet I may prove, + The Great Methusalem of love!!! + "Love and Life."--Cowley. + +The odes of Háfiz also, with all their spirit and richness of +expression, abound in conceit and extravagant metaphor. There is, +however, something very beautiful in the passage which may be +paraphrased thus: + + Zephyr thro' thy locks is straying, + Stealing fragrance, charms displaying; + Should it pass where Háfiz lies, + From his conscious dust would rise, + Flowrets of a thousand dyes!] + +[Footnote 2: Ancient Scythia embraced the whole of Túrán and the +northern part of Persia. The Túránians are the Scythians of the Greek +Historians, who are said, about the year B.C. 639, to have invaded the +kingdom of the Medes. + +Túrán, which is the ancient name of the country of Turkistán, appears +from Des Guignes, to be the source and fountain of all the celebrated +Scythian nations, which, under the name of Goths and Vandals, +subsequently overran the Roman empire. Irán and Túrán, according to the +Oriental historians, comprehended all that is comprised in upper Asia, +with the exception of India and China. Every country beyond the pale of +the Persian empire was considered barbarous. The great river called by +the Arabs and Persians, Jihún or Amú, and by the Greeks and Romans, +Oxus, divided these two great countries from each other.] + +[Footnote 3: Sám, Sám Suwár, was the son of Narímán. He is said to have +vanquished or tamed a great number of animals and terrible monsters, +amongst which was one remarkable for its ferocity. This furious animal +was called Sohám, on account of its being of the color and nature of +fire. According to fabulous history, he made it his war-horse, in all +his engagements against the Demons.] + +[Footnote 4: The sex of this fabulous animal is not clearly made out! It +tells Zál that it had nursed him like a _father_, and therefore I have, +in this place, adopted the masculine gender, though the preserver of +young ones might authorize its being considered a female. The Símúrgh is +probably neither one nor the other, or both! Some have likened the +Símúrgh to the Ippogrif or Griffin; but the Símúrgh is plainly a biped; +others again have supposed that the fable simply meant a holy recluse of +the mountains, who nourished and educated the poor child which had been +abandoned by its father.] + +[Footnote 5: This custom is derived from the earliest ages of Persia, +and has been continued down to the present times with no abatement of +its pomp or splendor Mr. Morier thus speaks of the progress of the +Embassy to Persia:-- + + "An Istakbál composed of fifty horsemen of our Mehmandar's tribe, + met us about three miles from our encampment; they were succeeded as + we advanced by an assemblage on foot, who threw a glass vessel + filled with sweetmeats beneath the Envoy's horse, a ceremony which + we had before witnessed at Kauzeroon, and which we again understood + to be an honor shared with the King and his sons alone. Then came + two of the principal merchants of Shiraz, accompanied by a boy, the + son of Mahomed Nebee Khan, the new Governor of Bushere. They, + however, incurred the Envoy's displeasure by not dismounting from + their horses, a form always observed in Persia by those of lower + rank, when they met a superior. We were thus met by three Istakbáls + during the course of the day."] + +[Footnote 6: The province of Mázinderán, of which the principal city is +Amol, comprehends the whole of the southern coast of the Caspian sea. It +was known to the ancients by the name of Hyrcania. At the period to +which the text refers, the country was in the possession of demons.] + +[Footnote 7: The fort called Killah Suffeed, lies about seventy-six +miles northwest of the city of Shiraz. It is of an oblong form, and +encloses a level space at the top of the mountain, which is covered with +delightful verdure, and watered by numerous springs. The ascent is near +three miles, and for the last five or six hundred yards, the summit is +so difficult of approach, that the slightest opposition, if well +directed, must render it impregnable.] + +[Footnote 8: The numerical strength of the Persian and Túránian forces +appears prodigious on all occasions, but nothing when compared with the +army under Xerxes at Thermopylae, which, with the numerous retinue of +servants, eunuchs, and women that attended it, is said to have amounted +to no less than 5,283,220 souls.] + +[Footnote 9: Herodotus speaks of a people confederated with the army of +Xerxes, who employed the noose. "Their principal dependence in action is +upon cords made of twisted leather, which they use in this manner: when +they engage an enemy, they throw out these cords, having a noose at the +extremity; if they entangle in them either horse or man, they without +difficulty put them to death."--Beloe's transl. Polymnia, Sec. 85.] + +[Footnote 10: Istakhar, also called Persepolis, and Chehel-minar, or the +Forty Pillars. This city was said to have been laid in ruins by +Alexander after the conquest of Darius.] + +[Footnote 11: Kai-káús, the second King of Persia of the dynasty called +Kaiánides. He succeeded Kai-kobád, about six hundred years B.C. +According to Firdusi he was a foolish tyrannical prince. He appointed +Rustem captain-general of the armies, to which the lieutenant-generalship +and the administration of the state was annexed, under the title of "the +champion of the world." He also gave him a taj, or crown of gold, which +kings only were accustomed to wear, and granted him the privilege of +giving audience seated on a throne of gold. It is said that Kai-káús +applied himself much to the study of astronomy, and that he founded two +great observatories, the one at Babel, and the other on the Tigris.] + +[Footnote 12: The armor called Burgustuwán almost covered the horse, and +as usually made of leather and felt-cloth.] + +[Footnote 13: In this hunting excursion he is completely armed, being +supplied with spear, sword, shield, mace, bow and arrows. Like the +knight-errants of after times, he seldom even slept unarmed. Single +combat and the romantic enterprises of European Chivalry may indeed be +traced to the East. Rustem was a most illustrious example of all that is +pious, disinterested, and heroic. The adventure now describing is highly +characteristic of a chivalrous age. In the Dissertation prefixed to +Richardson's Dictionary, mention is made of a famous Arabian +Knight-errant called Abu Mahommud Albatal, "who wandered everywhere in +quest of adventures, and redressing grievances. He was killed in the +year 738."] + +[Footnote 14: As a proof of her innocence Tahmíneh declares to Rustem, +"No person has ever seen me out of my private chamber, or even heard the +sound of my voice." It is but just to remark, that the seclusion in +which women of rank continue in Persia, and other parts of the East, is +not, by them, considered intolerable, or even a hardship. Custom has not +only rendered it familiar, but happy. It has nothing of the unprofitable +severity of the cloister. The Zenanas are supplied with everything that +can please and gratify a reasonable wish, and it is well known that the +women of the East have influence and power, more flattering and solid, +than the free unsecluded beauties of the Western world.] + +[Footnote 15: In Percy's Collection, there is an old song which contains +a similar idea. + + You meaner beauties of the night, + That poorly satisfie our eies, + More by your number, than your light; + You common people of the skies, + What are you when the Moon shall rise? + + SIR HENRY WOTTON.] + +[Footnote 16: Kus is a tymbal, or large brass drum, which is beat in the +palaces or camps of Eastern Princes.] + +[Footnote 17: It appears throughout the Sháh Námeh that whenever any +army was put in motion, the inhabitants and the country, whether hostile +or friendly, were equally given up to plunder and devastation, and +"Everything in their progress was burnt and destroyed."] + +[Footnote 18: Literally, Húmán was not at first aware that Sohráb was +wounded in the LIVER. In this organ, Oriental as well as the Greek and +Roman poets, place the residence of love.] + +[Footnote 19: The paper upon which the letters of royal and +distinguished personages in the East are written is usually perfumed, +and covered with curious devices in gold. This was scented with amber. +The degree of embellishment is generally regulated according to the rank +of the party.] + +[Footnote 20: Four days were consumed in uninterrupted feasting. This +seems to have been an ancient practice previous to the commencement of +any important undertaking, or at setting out on a journey.] + +[Footnote 21: Zúára, it will be remembered, was the brother of Rustem, +and had the immediate superintendence of the Zábul troops.] + +[Footnote 22: The original is, "Seize and inflict upon him the +punishment of the dar." According to Burháni-katia, dar is a tree upon +which felons are hanged. But the general acceptation of the term is +breaking or tearing the body upon a stake.] + +[Footnote 23: In this speech Rustem recounts the services which he had +performed for Káús. He speaks of his conquests in Egypt, China, +Hámáverán, Rúm, Súk-sar, and Mázinderán. Thus Achilles boasts of his +unrequited achievements in the cause of Greece. + + The warriors now, with sad forebodings wrung, + I sacked twelve ample cities on the main, + And twelve lay smoking on the Trojan plain. + + POPE.--Iliad ix. 328.] + +[Footnote 24: Literally, "Kings ought to be endowed with judgment and +discretion; no advantage can arise from impetuosity and rage." Gúdarz +was one of the greatest generals of Persia, he conquered Judea, and took +Jerusalem under the reign of Lohurásp, of the first dynasty of Persia, +and sustained many wars against Afrásiyáb under the Kings of the second +dynasty. He was the father of Gíw, who is also celebrated for his valor +in the following reigns. The opinion of this venerable and distinguished +warrior appears to have had considerable weight and influence with +Káús.] + +[Footnote 25: Káús, in acknowledging the violence Of his disposition, +uses a singular phrase: "When you departed in anger, Champion! I +repented; ashes fell into my mouth." A similar metaphor is used in +Hindústaní: If a person falls under the displeasure of his friend, he +says, "Ashes have fallen into my meat": meaning, that his happiness is +gone.] + +[Footnote 26: This is one of Firdusi's favorite similes. + + "My heart became as slender as the new moon."] + +[Footnote 27: The beautiful arbors referred to in the text are often +included within the walls of Eastern palaces. They are fancifully fitted +up, and supplied with reservoirs, fountains, and flower-trees. These +romantic garden-pavilions are called Kiosks in Turkey, and are generally +situated upon an eminence near a running stream.] + +[Footnote 28: Milton alludes to this custom in Paradise Lost: + + Where the gorgeous east with richest hand + Showers on her Kings barbaric pearl and gold. + +In the note on this passage by Warburton, it is said to have been an +eastern ceremony, at the coronation of their Kings, to powder them with +gold-dust and seed-pearl. The expression in Firdusi is, "he showered or +scattered gems." It was usual at festivals, and the custom still exists, +to throw money amongst the people. In Háfiz, the term used is nisar, +which is of the same import. Clarke, in the second volume of his +Travels, speaks of the four principal Sultanas of the Seraglio at +Constantinople being powdered with diamonds: + + "Long spangled robes, open in front, with pantaloons embroidered in + gold and silver, and covered by a profusion of pearls and precious + stones, displayed their persons to great advantage. Their hair hung in + loose and very thick tresses on each side of their cheeks, falling + quite down to the waist, and covering their shoulders behind. Those + tresses were quite powdered with diamonds, not displayed according to + any studied arrangement, but as if carelessly scattered, by handfuls, + among their flowing locks." + +--Vol. ii. p. 14.] + +[Footnote 29: In his descriptions of battle-array, Firdusi seldom omits +"golden slippers," which, however, I have not preserved in this place.] + +[Footnote 30: The original is Sandur[=u]s, sandaraca; for which I have +substituted amber, Sandur[=u]s is the Arabic name for Gum Juniper.] + +[Footnote 31: The banners were adorned with the figure of an elephant, +to denote his royal descent.] + +[Footnote 32: The text says that he was also the son-in-law of Rustem.] + +[Footnote 33: The word Guráz signifies a wild boar, but this acceptation +is not very accordant to Mussulman notions, and consequently it is not +supposed, by the orthodox, to have that meaning in the text. It is +curious that the name of the warrior, Guráz, should correspond with the +bearings on the standard. This frequently obtains in the heraldry of +Europe. Family bearings seem to be used in every country of any degree +of civilization. Krusenstern, the Russian circumnavigator, speaking of +the Japanese, says, "Everyone has his family arms worked into his +clothes, in different places, about the size of a half dollar, a +practice usual to both sexes; and in this manner any person may be +recognized, and the family to which he belongs easily ascertained. A +young lady wears her father's arms until after her marriage, when she +assumes those of her husband. The greatest mark of honor which a Prince +or a Governor can confer upon any one, is to give him a cloak with his +arms upon it, the person having such a one wearing his own arms upon his +under dress."] + +[Footnote 34: Firdusi considers this to be destiny! It would have been +natural in Sohráb to have gloried in the fame of his father, but from an +inevitable dispensation, his lips are here sealed on that subject; and +he inquires of Rustem as if he only wanted to single him out for the +purpose of destroying him. The people of Persia are all fatalists.] + +[Footnote 35: This passage will remind the classical reader of the +speech of Themistocles, in Plutarch, addressed to Xerxes. The Persian +King had assured him of his protection, and ordered him to declare +freely whatever he had to propose concerning Greece. Themistocles +replied, that a man's discourse was like a piece of tapestry which, when +spread open, displays its figures; but when it is folded up, they are +hidden and lost; therefore he begged time. The King, delighted with the +comparison, bade him take what time he pleased; and he desired a year; +in which space he learned the Persian language, so as to be able to +converse with the King without an interpreter.] + +[Footnote 36: Hujír was the son of Gúdarz. A family of the extent +mentioned in the text is not of rare occurrence amongst the Princes of +the East. The King of Persia had, in 1809, according to Mr. Morier, +"sixty-five sons!" As the Persians make no account of females, it is not +known how many daughters he had.] + +[Footnote 37: The Kulub-gah is the centre or heart of the army, where +the Sovereign or Chief of the troops usually remains.] + +[Footnote 38: Ahirmun, a demon, the principle of evil.] + +[Footnote 39: This girdle was the gift of the king, as a token of +affection and gratitude. Jonathan gives to David, among other things, +his girdle: "Because he loved him as his own soul."--I Samuel, xviii. 3. +4.] + +[Footnote 40: A crocodile in war, with Firdusi, is a figure of great +power and strength.] + +[Footnote 41: It is difficult to account for this denial of his name, as +there appears to be no equivalent cause. But all the famous heroes, +described in the Sháh Námeh, are as much distinguished for their address +and cunning, as their bravery.] + +[Footnote 42: The original is Um[=u]d, which appears to have been a +weapon made of iron. Um[=u]d also signifies a column, a beam.] + +[Footnote 43: Thus also Sa'di "Knowest thou What Zál said to Rustem the +Champion? Never calculate upon the weakness or insignificance of an +enemy."] + +[Footnote 44: Rustem is as much distinguished for piety as bravery. +Every success is attributed by him to the favor of Heaven. In the +achievement of his labors in the Heft-Khan, his devotion is constant and +he everywhere justly acknowledges that power and victory are derived +from God alone.] + +[Footnote 45: The expression in the original is remarkable. "Assuredly, +as thou hast thirsted for blood, Destiny will also thirst for thine, and +the very hairs upon thy body will become daggers to destroy thee." This +passage is quoted in the preface to the Sháh Námeh, collated by order of +Bayisunghur Khan, as the production of the poet Unsarí. Unsarí was one +of the seven poets whom Mahmud appointed to give specimens of their +powers in versifying the History of the Kings of Persia. The story of +Rustem and Sohráb fell to Unsarí, and his arrangement of it contained +the above verses, which so delighted the Sultan that he directed the +poet to undertake the whole work. This occurred before Firdusi was +introduced at Court and eclipsed every competitor. In compliment to +Mahmud, perhaps he ingrafted them on his own poem, or more probably they +have been interpolated since.] + +[Footnote 46: Jemshíd's glory and misfortunes, as said before, are the +constant theme of admiration and reflection amongst the poets of +Persia.] + +[Footnote 47: These medicated draughts are often mentioned in Romances. +The reader will recollect the banter upon them in Don Quixote, where the +Knight of La enumerates to Sancho the cures which had been performed +upon many valorous champions, covered with wounds. The Hindús, in their +books on medicine, talk of drugs for the recovery of the dead!] + +[Footnote 48: Zúára conducted the troops of Afrásiyáb across the Jihún. +Rustem remained on the field of battle till his return.] + +[Footnote 49: Maníjeh was the daughter of Afrásiyáb.] + +[Footnote 50: Theocritus introduces a Greek singing-girl in Idyllium xv, +at the festival of Adonis. In the Arabian Nights, the Caliph is +represented at his feasts surrounded by troops of the most beautiful +females playing on various instruments.] + +[Footnote 51: Kashán is here made to be the deathplace of Alexander, +whilst, according to the Greek historians, he died suddenly at Babylon, +as foretold by the magicians, on the 21st of April, B.C. 323, in the +thirty-second year of his age.] + + + + + + +THE RUBÁIYÁT OF OMAR KHAYYÁM + +[_Translation by Edward Fitzgerald_] + + + +Introduction + +It is seldom that we come across a poem which it is impossible to +classify in accordance with European standards. Yet such a poem is +Omar's "Rubáiyát." If elegiac poetry is the expression of subjective +emotion, sentiment, and thought, we might class this Persian masterpiece +as elegy; but an elegy is a sustained train of connected imagery and +reflection. The "Rubáiyát" is, on the other hand, a string of quatrains, +each of which has all the complete and independent significance of an +epigram. Yet there is so little of that lightness which should +characterize an epigram that we can scarcely put Omar in the same +category with Martial, and it is easy to understand why the author +should have been contented to name his book the "Rubáiyát," or +Quatrains, leaving it to each individual to make, if he chooses, a more +definite description of the work. To English readers, Mr. Edward +Fitzgerald's version of the poem has provided one of the most masterly +translations that was ever made from an Oriental classic. For Omar, like +Háfiz, is one of the most Persian of Persian writers. There is in this +volume all the gorgeousness of the East: all the luxury of the most +refined civilization. Omar's bowers are always full of roses; the notes +of the nightingale tremble through his stanzas. The intoxication of wine +and the bright eyes of lovely women are ever present to his mind. The +feast, the revel, the joys of love, and the calm satisfaction of +appetite make up the grosser elements in his song. But the prevailing +note of his music is that of deep and settled melancholy, breaking out +occasionally into words of misanthropy and despair. The keenness and +intensity of this poet's style seem to be inspired by an ever-present +fear of death. This sense of approaching Fate is never absent from him, +even in his most genial moments; and the strange fascination which he +exercises over his readers is largely due to the thrilling sweetness of +some passage which ends in a note of dejection and anguish. + +Strange to say, Omar was the greatest mathematician of his day. The +exactness of his fine and analytic mind is reflected in the exquisite +finish, the subtile wit, the delicate descriptive touches, that abound +in his Quatrains. His verses hang together like gems of the purest water +exquisitely cut and clasped by "jacinth work of subtlest jewelry." But +apart from their masterly technique, these Quatrains exhibit in their +general tone the revolt of a clear intellect from the prevailing bigotry +and fanaticism of an established religion. There is in the poet's mind +the lofty indignation of one who sees, in its true light, the narrowness +of an ignorant and hypocritical clergy, yet can find no solid ground on +which to build up for himself a theory of supernaturalism, illumined by +hope. Yet there are traces of Mysticism in his writings, which only +serve to emphasize his profound longing for some knowledge of the +invisible, and his foreboding that the grave is the "be-all" and +"end-all" of life. The poet speaks in tones of bitterest lamentation +when he sees succumb to Fate all that is bright and fresh and beautiful. +At his brightest moments he gives expression to a vague pantheism, but +all his views of the power that lies behind life are obscured and +perturbed by sceptical despondency. He is the great man of science, who, +like other men of genius too deeply immersed in the study of natural law +or abstract reasoning, has lost all touch with that great world of +spiritual things which we speak of as religion, and which we can only +come in contact with through those instinctive emotions which scientific +analysis very often does so much to stifle. There are many men of +science who, like Darwin, have come, through the study of material +phenomena in nature, to a condition of mind which is indifferent in +matters of religion. But the remarkable feature in the case of Omar is +that he, who could see so clearly and feel so acutely, has been enabled +also to embody in a poem of imperishable beauty the opinions which he +shared with many of his contemporaries. The range of his mind can only +be measured by supposing that Sir Isaac Newton had written Manfred or +Childe Harold. But even more remarkable is what we may call the +modernity of this twelfth century Persian poet. We sometimes hear it +said that great periods of civilization end in a manifestation of +infidelity and despair. There can be no doubt that a great deal of +restlessness and misgiving characterizes the minds of to-day in regard +to all questions of religion. Europe, in the nineteenth century, +as reflected in the works of Byron, Spencer, Darwin, and Schopenhauer, +is very much in the same condition as intellectual Persia in the twelfth +century, so far as the pessimism of Omar is representative of his day. +This accounts for the wide popularity of Fitzgerald's "Rubáiyát." The +book has been read eagerly and fondly studied, as if it were a new book +of _fin du siècle_ production: the last efflorescence of intellectual +satiety, cynicism, and despair. Yet the book is eight centuries old, and +it has been the task of this seer of the East to reveal to the West the +heart-sickness under which the nations were suffering. + +Omar Khayyám--that is, Omar the tent-maker--was born in the year 1050 at +Níshapúr, the little Damascus (as it is called) of Persia: famous as a +seat of learning, as a place of religion, and a centre of commerce. In +the days of Omar it was by far the most important city of Khorasan. The +poet, like his father before him, held a court office under the Vizir of +his day. It was from the stipend which he thus enjoyed that he secured +leisure for mathematical and literary work. His father had been a +khayyám, or tent-maker, and his gifted son doubtless inherited the +handicraft as well as the name; but his position at Court released him +from the drudgery of manual labor. He was thus also brought in contact +with the luxurious side of life, and became acquainted with those scenes +of pleasure which he recalls only to add poignancy to the sorrow with +which he contemplates the yesterday of life. Omar's astronomical +researches were continued for many years, and his algebra has been +translated into French: but his greatest claim to renown is based upon +his immortal Quatrains, which will always live as the best expression of +a phase of mind constantly recurring in the history of civilization, +from the days of Anaxagoras to those of Darwin and Spencer. + +E.W. + + + +OMAR KHAYYÁM +By John Hay + +_Address delivered December 8, 1897, at the Dinner of the Omar Khayyám +Club, London_. + +I can never forget my emotions when I first saw Fitzgerald's +translations of the Quatrains. Keats, in his sublime ode on Chapman's +Homer, has described the sensation once for all: + + "Then felt I like some watcher of the skies + When a new planet swims into his ken." + +The exquisite beauty, the faultless form, the singular grace of those +amazing stanzas were not more wonderful than the depth and breadth of +their profound philosophy, their knowledge of life, their dauntless +courage, their serene facing of the ultimate problems of life and death. +Of course the doubt did not spare me, which has assailed many as +ignorant as I was of the literature of the East, whether it was the poet +or the translator to whom was due this splendid result. Was it, in fact, +a reproduction of an antique song, or a mystification of a great modern, +careless of fame and scornful of his time? Could it be possible that in +the eleventh century, so far away as Khorasan, so accomplished a man of +letters lived, with such distinction, such breadth, such insight, such +calm disillusions, such cheerful and jocund despair? Was this +"Weltschmerz," which we thought a malady of our day, endemic in Persia +in 1100? My doubt only lasted until I came upon a literal translation of +the Rubáiyát, and I saw that not the least remarkable quality of +Fitzgerald's poem was its fidelity to the original. + +In short, Omar was a Fitzgerald, or Fitzgerald was a reincarnation of +Omar. It was not to the disadvantage of the latter poet that he followed +so closely in the footsteps of the earlier. A man of extraordinary +genius had appeared in the world, had sung a song of incomparable beauty +and power in an environment no longer worthy of him, in a language of +narrow range; for many generations the song was virtually lost; then by +a miracle of creation, a poet, a twin-brother in the spirit to the +first, was born, who took up the forgotten poem and sang it anew with +all its original melody and force, and all the accumulated refinement of +ages of art. It seems to me idle to ask which was the greater master; +each seems greater than his work. The song is like an instrument of +precious workmanship and marvellous tone, which is worthless in common +hands, but when it falls, at long intervals, into the hands of the +supreme master, it yields a melody of transcendent enchantment to all +that have ears to hear. If we look at the sphere of influence of the +poets, there is no longer any comparison. Omar sang to a half-barbarous +province: Fitzgerald to the world. Wherever the English speech is spoken +or read, the "Rubáiyát" have taken their place as a classic. There is +not a hill post in India, nor a village in England, where there is not a +coterie to whom Omar Khayyám is a familiar friend and a bond of union. +In America he has an equal following, in many regions and conditions. In +the Eastern States his adepts form an esoteric sect; the beautiful +volume of drawings by Mr. Vedder is a centre of delight and suggestion +wherever it exists. In the cities of the West you will find the +Quatrains one of the most thoroughly read books in any club library. I +heard them quoted once in one of the most lonely and desolate spots in +the high Rockies. We had been camping on the Great Divide, our "roof of +the world," where in the space of a few feet you may see two springs, +one sending its waters to the Polar solitudes, the other to the eternal +Carib summer. One morning at sunrise, as we were breaking camp, I was +startled to hear one of our party, a frontiersman born, intoning these +words of sombre majesty:-- + + "Tis but a Tent where takes his one day's rest + A Sultan to the realm of Death addrest; + The Sultan rises, and the dark Ferrash + Strikes, and prepares it for another Guest." + +I thought that sublime setting of primeval forest and pouring canyon was +worthy of the lines; I am sure the dewless, crystalline air never +vibrated to strains of more solemn music. Certainly, our poet can never +be numbered among the great writers of all time. He has told no story; +he has never unpacked his heart in public; he has never thrown the reins +on the neck of the winged horse, and let his imagination carry him where +it listed. "Ah! the crowd must have emphatic warrant," as Browning sang. +Its suffrages are not for the cool, collected observer, whose eyes no +glitter can dazzle, no mist suffuse. The many cannot but resent that air +of lofty intelligence, that pale and subtle smile. But he will hold a +place forever among that limited number, who, like Lucretius and +Epicurus--without range or defiance, even without unbecoming mirth, look +deep into the tangled mysteries of things; refuse credence to the +absurd, and allegiance to arrogant authority; sufficiently conscious of +fallibility to be tolerant of all opinions; with a faith too wide for +doctrine and a benevolence untrammelled by creed; too wise to be wholly +poets, and yet too surely poets to be implacably wise. + + + +THE RUBÁIYÁT + + Wake! For the Sun, who scatter'd into flight + The Stars before him from the Field of Night, + Drives Night along with them from Heav'n, and strikes + The Sultan's Turret with a Shaft of Light. + + Before the phantom of False morning died, + Methought a Voice within the Tavern cried, + "When all the Temple is prepared within, + Why nods the drowsy Worshipper outside?" + + And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before + The Tavern shouted--"Open then the Door! + You know how little while we have to stay, + And, once departed, may return no more." + + Now the New Year reviving old Desires, + The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires, + Where the White Hand of Moses on the Bough + Puts out, and Jesus from the Ground suspires. + + Iram indeed is gone with all his Rose, + And Jemshíd's Sev'n-ring'd Cup where no one knows; + But still a Ruby kindles in the Vine, + And many a Garden by the Water blows. + + And David's lips are lockt; but in divine + High-piping Pehleví, with "Wine! Wine! Wine! + Red Wine!"--the Nightingale cries to the Rose + That sallow cheek of hers to incarnadine. + + Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring + Your Winter-garment of Repentance fling: + The Bird of Time has but a little way + To flutter--and the Bird is on the Wing. + + Whether at Níshapúr or Babylon, + Whether the Cup with sweet or bitter run, + The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop, + The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one. + + Each Morn a thousand Roses brings, you say; + Yes, but where leaves the Rose of Yesterday? + And this first Summer month that brings the Rose + Shall take Jemshíd and Kai-kobád away. + + Well, let it take them! What have we to do + With Kai-kobád the Great, or Kai-khosráu? + Let Zál and Rustem bluster as they will, + Or Hátím call to Supper--heed not you. + + With me along the strip of Herbage strewn + That just divides the desert from the sown, + Where name of Slave and Sultan is forgot-- + And Peace to Mahmud on his golden Throne! + + A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, + A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread--and Thou + Beside me singing in the Wilderness-- + Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow! + + Some for the Glories of This World; and some + Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come; + Ah, take the Cash, and let the Credit go, + Nor heed the rumble of a distant Drum! + + Look to the blowing Rose about us--"Lo, + Laughing," she says, "into the world I blow, + At once the silken tassel of my Purse + Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw." + + And those who husbanded the Golden grain, + And those who flung it to the winds like Rain, + Alike to no such aureate Earth are turn'd + As, buried once, Men want dug up again. + + The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon + Turns Ashes--or it prospers; and anon, + Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face, + Lighting a little hour or two--is gone. + + Think, in this batter'd Caravanserai + Whose Portals are alternate Night and Day, + How Sultan after Sultan with his Pomp + Abode his destined Hour, and went his way. + + They say the Lion and the Lizard keep + The Courts where Jemshíd gloried and drank deep: + And Báhrám, that great Hunter--the Wild Ass + Stamps o'er his Head, but cannot break his Sleep. + + I sometimes think that never blows so red + The Rose as where some buried Caesar bled; + That every Hyacinth the Garden wears + Dropt in her Lap from some once lovely Head. + + And this reviving Herb whose tender Green + Fledges the River-Lip on which we lean-- + Ah, lean upon it lightly! for who knows + From what once lovely Lip it springs unseen! + + Ah, my Belovéd, fill the Cup that clears + To-day of past Regrets and future Fears: + _To-morrow!_--Why, To-morrow I may be + Myself with Yesterday's Sev'n thousand Years. + + For some we loved, the loveliest and the best + That from his Vintage rolling Time hath prest, + Have drunk their Cup a Round or two before, + And one by one crept silently to rest. + + And we, that now make merry in the Room + They left, and Summer dresses in new bloom, + Ourselves must we beneath the Couch of Earth + Descend--ourselves to make a Couch--for whom? + + Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend, + Before we too into the Dust descend; + Dust into Dust, and under Dust to lie, + Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and--sans End! + + Alike for those who for TO-DAY prepare, + And those that after some TO-MORROW stare, + A Muezzín from the Tower of Darkness cries, + "Fools! your Reward is neither Here nor There." + + Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd + Of the Two Worlds so wisely--they are thrust + Like foolish Prophets forth; their Words to Scorn + Are scattered, and their Mouths are stopt with Dust. + + Myself when young did eagerly frequent + Doctor and Saint, and heard great argument + About it and about: but evermore + Came out by the same door where in I went. + + With them the seed of Wisdom did I sow, + And with mine own hand wrought to make it grow; + And this was all the Harvest that I reap'd-- + "I came like Water, and like Wind I go." + + Into this Universe, and _Why_ not knowing + Nor _Whence_, like Water willy-nilly flowing; + And out of it, as Wind along the Waste, + I know not _Whither_, willy-nilly blowing. + + What, without asking, hither hurried _Whence_? + And, without asking, _Whither_ hurried hence! + Oh, many a Cup of this forbidden Wine + Must drown the memory of that insolence! + + Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate + I rose, and on the Throne of Saturn sate, + And many a Knot unravel'd by the Road; + But not the Master-knot of Human Fate. + + There was the Door to which I found no Key; + There was the Veil through which I might not see: + Some little talk awhile of ME and THEE + There was--and then no more of THEE and ME. + + Earth could not answer; nor the Seas that mourn + In flowing Purple, of their Lord forlorn; + Nor rolling Heaven, with all his Signs reveal'd + And hidden by the sleeve of Night and Morn. + + Then of the THEE IN ME who works behind + The Veil, I lifted up my hands to find + A lamp amid the Darkness; and I heard, + As from Without--"THE ME WITHIN THEE BLIND!" + + Then to the Lip of this poor earthen Urn + I lean'd, the Secret of my Life to learn: + And Lip to Lip it murmur'd--"While you live, + Drink!--for, once dead, you never shall return." + + I think the Vessel, that with fugitive + Articulation answer'd, once did live, + And drink; and Ah! the passive Lip I kiss'd, + How many Kisses might it take--and give! + + For I remember stopping by the way + To watch a Potter thumping his wet Clay: + And with its all-obliterated Tongue + It murmur'd--"Gently, Brother, gently, pray!" + + And has not such a story from of Old + Down Man's successive generations roll'd + Of such a clod of saturated Earth + Cast by the Maker into Human mould? + + And not a drop that from our Cups we throw + For Earth to drink of, but may steal below + To quench the fire of Anguish in some Eye + There hidden--far beneath, and long ago. + + As then the Tulip for her morning sup + Of Heav'nly Vintage from the soil looks up, + Do you devoutly do the like, till Heav'n + To Earth invert you--like an empty Cup. + + Perplext no more with Human or Divine, + To-morrow's tangle to the winds resign, + And lose your fingers in the tresses of + The Cypress-slender Minister of Wine. + + And if the Wine you drink, the Lip you press, + End in what All begins and ends in--Yes; + Think then you are To-day what Yesterday + You were--To-morrow you shall not be less. + + So when that Angel of the darker Drink + At last shall find you by the river-brink, + And, offering his Cup, invite your Soul + Forth to your Lips to quaff--you shall not shrink. + + Why, if the Soul can fling the Dust aside, + And naked on the Air of Heaven ride, + Were't not a Shame--were't not a Shame for him + In this clay carcase crippled to abide? + + 'Tis but a Tent where takes his one day's rest + A Sultan to the realm of Death addrest; + The Sultan rises, and the dark Ferrash + Strikes, and prepares it for another Guest + + And fear not lest Existence closing your + Account, and mine, should know the like no more; + The Eternal Sákí from the Bowl has pour'd + Millions of Bubbles like us, and will pour. + + When You and I behind the Veil are past, + Oh, but the long, long while the World shall last, + Which of our Coming and Departure heeds + As the Sea's self should heed a pebble-cast. + + A Moment's Halt--a momentary taste + Of Being from the Well amid the Waste-- + And Lo!--the phantom Caravan has reach'd + The Nothing it set out from--Oh, make haste! + + Would you that spangle of Existence spend + About THE SECRET--quick about it, Friend! + A Hair perhaps divides the False and True-- + And upon what, prithee, may life depend? + + A Hair perhaps divides the False and True; + Yes; and a single Alif were the clue-- + Could you but find it--to the Treasure-house, + And peradventure to THE MASTER too; + + Whose secret Presence, through Creation's veins + Running Quicksilver-like eludes your pains; + Taking all shapes from Máh to Máhí; and + They change and perish all--but He remains; + + A moment guess'd--then back behind the Fold + Immerst of Darkness round the Drama roll'd + Which, for the Pastime of Eternity, + He doth Himself contrive, enact, behold. + + But if in vain, down on the stubborn floor + Of Earth, and up to Heav'n's unopening Door, + You gaze To-day, while You are You--how then + To-morrow, when You shall be You no more? + + Waste not your Hour, nor in the vain pursuit + Of This and That endeavor and dispute; + Better be jocund with the fruitful Grape + Than sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit. + + You know, my Friends, with what a brave Carouse + I made a Second Marriage in my house; + Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed, + And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse. + + For "Is" and "Is-not" though with Rule and Line + And "Up-and-down" by Logic I define, + Of all that one should care to fathom, I + Was never deep in anything but--Wine. + + Ah, but my Computations, People say, + Reduced the Year to better reckoning?--Nay, + 'Twas only striking from the Calendar + Unborn To-morrow, and dead Yesterday. + + And lately, by the Tavern Door agape, + Came shining through the Dusk an Angel Shape + Bearing a Vessel on his Shoulder; and + He bid me taste of it; and 'twas--the Grape! + + The Grape that can with Logic absolute + The Two-and-Seventy jarring Sects confute: + The Sovereign Alchemist that in a trice + Life's leaden metal into Gold transmute: + + The mighty Mahmud, Allah-breathing Lord, + That all the misbelieving and black Horde + Of Fears and Sorrows that infest the Soul + Scatters before him with his whirlwind Sword. + + Why, be this Juice the growth of God, who dare + Blaspheme the twisted tendril as a Snare? + A Blessing, we should use it, should we not? + And if a Curse--why, then, Who set it there? + + I must abjure the Balm of Life, I must, + Scared by some After-reckoning ta'en on trust, + Or lured with Hope of some Diviner Drink, + To fill the Cup--when crumbled into Dust! + + Oh threats of Hell and Hopes of Paradise! + One thing at least is certain--This Life flies; + One thing is certain and the rest is Lies; + The Flower that once has blown forever dies. + + Strange, is it not? that of the myriads who + Before us pass'd the door of Darkness through, + Not one returns to tell us of the Road, + Which to discover we must travel too. + + The Revelations of Devout and Learn'd + Who rose before us, and as Prophets burn'd, + Are all but Stories, which, awoke from Sleep + They told their comrades, and to Sleep return'd. + + I sent my Soul through the Invisible, + Some letter of that After-life to spell: + And by and by my Soul return'd to me, + And answered, "I Myself am Heav'n and Hell:" + + Heav'n but the Vision of fulfill'd Desire, + And Hell the Shadow from a Soul on fire, + Cast on the Darkness into which Ourselves, + So late emerged from, shall so soon expire. + + We are no other than a moving row + Of Magic Shadow-shapes that come and go + Round with the Sun-illumined Lantern held + In Midnight by the Master of the Show; + + But helpless Pieces of the Game He plays + Upon this Checker-board of Nights and Days; + Hither and thither moves, and checks, and slays, + And one by one back in the Closet lays. + + The Ball no question makes of Ayes and Noes, + But Here or There as strikes the Player goes; + And He that toss'd you down into the Field, + _He_ knows about it all--HE knows--HE knows! + + The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, + Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit + Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, + Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it. + + And that inverted Bowl they call the Sky, + Whereunder crawling coop'd we live and die, + Lift not your hands to _It_ for help--for It + As impotently moves as you or I. + + With Earth's first Clay They did the Last Man knead, + And there of the Last Harvest sow'd the Seed: + And the first Morning of Creation wrote + What the Last Dawn of Reckoning shall read. + + Yesterday This Day's Madness did prepare; + To-morrow's Silence, Triumph, or Despair: + Drink! for you know not whence you came, nor why: + Drink! for you know not why you go, nor where. + + I tell you this--When, started from the Goal, + Over the flaming shoulders of the Foal + Of Heav'n Parwín and Mushtarí they flung, + In my predestined Plot of Dust and Soul + + The Vine had struck a fibre: which about + If clings my Being--let the Dervish flout; + Of my Base metal may be filed a Key, + That shall unlock the Door he howls without. + + And this I know: whether the one True Light + Kindle to Love, or Wrath-consume me quite, + One Flash of It within the Tavern caught + Better than in the Temple lost outright. + + What! out of senseless Nothing to provoke + A conscious Something to resent the yoke + Of unpermitted Pleasure, under pain + Of Everlasting Penalties, if broke! + + What! from his helpless Creature be repaid + Pure Gold for what he lent him dross-allay'd-- + Sue for a Debt he never did contract, + And cannot answer--Oh the sorry trade! + + Oh Thou, who didst with pitfall and with gin + Beset the Road I was to wander in, + Thou wilt not with Predestined Evil round + Enmesh, and then impute my Fall to Sin! + + O Thou, who Man of baser Earth didst make, + And ev'n with Paradise devise the Snake: + For all the Sin wherewith the Face of Man + Is blacken'd--Man's forgiveness give--and take! + + As under cover of departing Day + Slunk hunger-stricken Ramazán away, + Once more within the Potter's house alone + I stood, surrounded by the Shapes of Clay. + + Shapes of all Sorts and Sizes, great and small, + That stood along the floor and by the wall; + And some loquacious Vessels were; and some + Listen'd perhaps, but never talk'd at all. + + Said one among them--"Surely not in vain + My substance of the common Earth was ta'en + And to this Figure moulded, to be broke, + Or trampled back to shapeless Earth again." + + Then said a Second--"Ne'er a peevish Boy + Would break the Bowl from which he drank in joy; + And He that with his hand the Vessel made + Will surely not in after Wrath destroy." + + After a momentary silence spake + Some Vessel of a more ungainly Make; + "They sneer at me for leaning all awry: + What! did the Hand then of the Potter shake?" + + Whereat some one of the loquacious Lot-- + I think a Súfi pipkin--waxing hot-- + "All this of Pot and Potter--Tell me, then, + Who is the Potter, pray, and who the Pot?" + + "Why," said another, "some there are who tell + Of one who threatens he will toss to Hell + The luckless Pots he marr'd in making--Pish! + He's a Good Fellow, and 't will all be well." + + "Well," murmur'd one, "let whoso make or buy, + My Clay with long Oblivion is gone dry: + But fill me with the old familiar Juice, + Methinks I might recover by and by." + + So while the Vessels one by one were speaking, + The little Moon look'd in that all were seeking: + And then they jogg'd each other, "Brother! Brother! + Now for the Potter's shoulder-knot a-creaking!" + + Ah, with the Grape my fading Life provide, + And wash the Body whence the Life has died, + And lay me, shrouded in the living Leaf, + By some not unfrequented Garden-side. + + That ev'n my buried Ashes such a snare + Of Vintage shall fling up into the Air + As not a True-believer passing by + But shall be overtaken unaware. + + Indeed the Idols I have loved so long + Have done my credit in this World much wrong: + Have drown'd my Glory in a shallow Cup, + And sold my Reputation for a Song. + + Indeed, indeed, Repentance oft before + I swore--but was I sober when I swore? + And then and then came Spring, and Rose-in-hand + My threadbare Penitence apieces tore. + + And much as Wine has play'd the Infidel, + And robb'd me of my Robe of Honor--Well, + I wonder often what the Vintners buy + One half so precious as the stuff they sell. + + Yet ah, that Spring should vanish with the Rose! + That Youth's sweet-scented manuscript should close! + The Nightingale that in the branches sang, + Ah whence, and whither flown again, who knows! + + Would but the Desert of the Fountain yield + One glimpse--if dimly, yet indeed, reveal'd, + To which the fainting Traveller might spring, + As springs the trampled herbage of the field! + + Would but some wingèd Angel ere too late + Arrest the yet unfolded Roll of Fate, + And make the stern Recorder otherwise + Enregister, or quite obliterate! + + Ah, Love! could you and I with Him conspire + To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things entire, + Would not we shatter it to bits--and then + Re-mould it nearer to the Heart's Desire! + + Yon rising Moon that looks for us again-- + How oft hereafter will she wax and wane; + How oft hereafter rising look for us + Through this same Garden--and for _one_ in vain! + + And when like her, oh Sákí, you shall pass + Among the Guests Star-scatter'd on the Grass, + And in your joyous errand reach the spot + Where I made One--turn down an empty Glass! + + + + + + +THE DIVAN + +BY HÁFIZ + +[_Translation by H. Bicknell_] + + + +NOTE + +The reader will be struck with the apparent want of unity in many of the +Odes. The Orientals compare each couplet to a single pearl and the +entire "Ghazal," or Ode, to a string of pearls. It is the rhyme, not +necessarily the sense, which links them together. Hence the single +pearls or couplets may often be arranged in various orders without +injury to the general effect; and it would probably be impossible to +find two manuscripts either containing the same number of Odes, or +having the same couplets following each other in the same order. + + + +INTRODUCTION + +We are told in the Persian histories that when Tamerlane, on his +victorious progress through the East, had reached Shiraz, he halted +before the gates of the city and sent two of his followers to search in +the bazar for a certain dervish Muhammad Shams-ad-din, better known to +the world by the name of Háfiz. And when this man of religion, wearing +the simple woollen garment of a Sufi, was brought into the presence of +the great conqueror, he was nothing abashed at the blaze of silks and +jewelry which decorated the pavilion where Tamerlane sat in state. And +Tamerlane, meeting the poet with a frown of anger, said, "Art not thou +the insolent verse-monger who didst offer my two great cities Samarkand +and Bokhara for the black mole upon thy lady's cheek?" "It is true," +replied Háfiz calmly, smiling, "and indeed my munificence has been so +great throughout my life, that it has left me destitute, so that I shall +be hereafter dependent upon thy generosity for a livelihood." The reply +of the poet, as well as his imperturbable self-possession, pleased the +Asiatic Alexander, and he dismissed Háfiz with a liberal present. + +This story, we are told, cannot be true, for Tamerlane did not reach +Shiraz until after the death of the greatest of Persian lyric poets; but +if it is not true in fact, it is true in spirit, and gives the real key +to the character of Háfiz. For we must look upon Háfiz as one of the few +poets in the world who utters an unbroken strain of joy and contentment. +His poverty was to him a constant fountain of satisfaction, and he +frankly took the natural joys of life as they came, supported under +every vicissitude by his religious sense of the goodness and kindliness +of the One God, manifested in everything in the world that was sweet and +genial, and beautiful to behold. It is strange that we have to go to the +literature of Persia to find a poet whose deep religious convictions +were fully reconciled with the theory of human existence which was +nothing more or less than an optimistic hedonism. There is nothing +parallel to this in classic literature. The greatest of Roman +Epicureans, the materialist, whose maxim was: enjoy the present for +there is no God, and no to-morrow, speaks despairingly of that drop of +bitterness, which rises in the fountain of Delight and brings torture, +even amid the roses of the feast. It is with mocking irony that Dante +places Epicurus in the furnace-tombs of his Inferno amid those +heresiarchs who denied the immortality of the soul. Háfiz was an +Epicurean without the atheism or the despair of Epicurus. The roses in +his feast are ever fresh and sweet and there is nothing of bitterness in +the perennial fountain of his Delight. This unruffled serenity, this +joyful acceptance of material existence and its pleasures are not in the +Persian poet the result of the carelessness and shallowness of Horace, +or the cold-blooded worldliness and sensuality of Martial. The theory of +life which Háfiz entertained was founded upon the relation of the human +soul to God. The one God of Sufism was a being of exuberant benignity, +from whose creative essence proceeded the human soul, whose experiences +on earth were intended to fit it for re-entrance into the circle of +light and re-absorption into the primeval fountain of being. In +accordance with the beautiful and pathetic imagery of the Mystic, life +was merely a journey of many stages, and every manifestation of life +which the traveller met on the high road was a manifestation and a gift +of God Himself. Every stage on the journey towards God which the soul +made in its religious experience was like a wayside inn in which to rest +awhile before resuming the onward course. The pleasures of life, all +that charmed the eye, all that gratified the senses, every draught that +intoxicated, and every fruit that pleased the palate, were, in the +pantheistic doctrine of the Sufi considered as equally good, because God +was in each of them, and to partake of them was therefore to be united +more closely with God. Never was a theology so well calculated to put to +rest the stings of doubt or the misgivings of the pleasure-seeker. This +theology is of the very essence of Háfiz's poetry. It is in full +reliance on this interpretation of the significance of human existence +that Háfiz faces the fierce Tamerlane with a placid smile, plunges +without a qualm into the deepest abysses of pleasure, finds in the +love-song of the nightingale the voice of God, and in the bright eyes of +women and the beaker brimming with crimson wine the choicest sacraments +of life, the holiest and the most sublime intermediaries between divine +and human life. + +It is this that makes Háfiz almost the only poet of unadulterated +gladsomeness that the world has ever known. There is no shadow in his +sky, no discord in his music, no bitterness in his cup. He passes +through life like a happy pilgrim, singing all the way, mounting in his +own way from strength to strength, sure of a welcome when he reaches the +goal, contented with himself, because every manifestation of life of +which he is conscious must be the stirrings within him of that divinity +of which he is a portion. When we have thus spoken of Háfiz we have said +almost all that is known of the Persian lyric poet, for to know Háfiz we +must read his verses, whose magic charm is as great for Europeans as for +Asiatics. The endless variety of his expressions, the deep earnestness +of his convictions, the persistent gayety of his tone, are qualities of +irresistible attractiveness. Even to this day his tomb is visited as the +Mecca of literary pilgrims, and his numbers are cherished in the memory +and uttered on the tongue of all educated Persians. The particulars of +his life may be briefly epitomized as follows: He was born at Shiraz in +the early part of the fourteenth century, dying in the year 1388. The +name Háfiz means, literally, the man who remembers, and was applied to +himself by Háfiz from the fact that he became a professor of the +Mohammedan scriptures, and for this purpose had committed to memory the +text of the Koran. His manner of life was not approved of by the +dervishes of the monastic college in which he taught, and he satirizes +his colleagues in revenge for their animadversions. The whole Mohammedan +world hailed with delight the lyrics which Háfiz published to the world, +and kings and rulers vied with each other in making offers to him of +honors and hospitality. At one time he started for India on the +invitation of a great Southern Prince, who sent a vessel to meet him on +the way, but the hardships of the sea were too severe for him, and he +made his way back to Shiraz without finishing his journey. + +His out-and-out pantheism, as well as his manner of life, caused him at +his death to be denied burial in consecrated ground. The ecclesiastical +authorities were, however, induced to relent in their plan of +excommunication at the dictates of a passage from the poet's writings, +which was come upon by opening the book at random. The passage ran as +follows: "Turn not thy feet from the bier of Háfiz, for though immersed +in sin, he will be admitted into Paradise." And so he rests in the +cemetery at Shiraz, where the nightingales are singing and the roses +bloom the year through, and the doves gather with low murmurs amid the +white stones of the sacred enclosure. The poets of nature, the mystical +pantheist, the joyous troubadour of life, Háfiz, in the naturalness and +spontaneity of his poetry, and in the winning sweetness of his imagery, +occupies a unique place in the literature of the world, and has no rival +in his special domain. + + + +FRAGMENT BY HÁFIZ + +_In Praise of His Verses_. + + The beauty of these verses baffles praise: + What guide is needed to the solar blaze? + Extol that artist by whose pencil's aid + The virgin, Thought, so richly is arrayed. + For her no substitute can reason show, + Nor any like her human judgment know. + This verse, a miracle, or magic white-- + Brought down some voice from Heaven, or Gabriel bright? + By me as by none else are secrets sung, + No pearls of poesy like mine are strung. + + + +THE DIVAN + + + +I + + "Alá yá ayyuha's-Sákí!"--pass round and offer thou the bowl, + For love, which seemed at first so easy, has now brought trouble to my + soul. + + With yearning for the pod's aroma, which by the East that lock shall + spread + From that crisp curl of musky odor, how plenteously our hearts have + bled! + + Stain with the tinge of wine thy prayer-mat, if thus the aged Magian + bid, + For from the traveller from the Pathway[1] no stage nor usage can be + hid. + + Shall my beloved one's house delight me, when issues ever and anon + From the relentless bell the mandate: "'Tis time to bind thy litters + on"? + + The waves are wild, the whirlpool dreadful, the shadow of the night + steals o'er, + How can my fate excite compassion in the light-burdened of the shore? + + Each action of my froward spirit has won me an opprobrious name; + Can any one conceal the secret which the assembled crowds proclaim? + + If Joy be thy desire, O Háfiz, + From Him far distant never dwell. + "As soon as thou hast found thy Loved one, + Bid to the world a last farewell." + + + +II + + Thou whose features clearly-beaming make the moon of Beauty bright, + Thou whose chin contains a well-pit[2] which to Loveliness gives light. + + When, O Lord! shall kindly Fortune, sating my ambition, pair + This my heart of tranquil nature and thy wild and ruffled hair? + + Pining for thy sight my spirit trembling on my lip doth wait: + Forth to speed it, back to lead it, speak the sentence of its fate. + + Pass me with thy skirt uplifted from the dusty bloody ground: + Many who have been thy victims dead upon this path are found. + + How this heart is anguish-wasted let my heart's possessor know: + Friends, your souls and mine contemplate, equal by their common woe. + + Aught of good accrues to no one witched by thy Narcissus eye: + Ne'er let braggarts vaunt their virtue, if thy drunken orbs are nigh. + + Soon my Fortune sunk in slumber shall her limbs with vigor brace: + Dashed upon her eye is water, sprinkled by thy shining face. + + Gather from thy cheek a posy, speed it by the flying East; + Sent be perfume to refresh me from thy garden's dust at least. + + Háfiz offers a petition, listen, and "Amen" reply: + "On thy sugar-dropping rubies let me for life's food rely." + + Many a year live on and prosper, Sákís of the court of Jem,[3] + E'en though I, to fill my wine-cup, never to your circle come. + + East wind, when to Yazd thou wingest, say thou to its sons from me: + "May the head of every ingrate ball-like 'neath your mall-bat be!" + + "What though from your dais distant, near it by my wish I seem; + Homage to your Ring I render, and I make your praise my theme." + + Sháh of Shahs, of lofty planet, Grant for God what I implore; + Let me, as the sky above thee, Kiss the dust which strews thy floor. + + + +V + + Up, Sákí!--let the goblet flow; + Strew with dust the head of our earthly woe! + + Give me thy cup; that, joy-possessed, + I may tear this azure cowl from my breast,[4] + + The wise may deem me lost to shame, + But no care have I for renown or name. + + Bring wine!--how many a witless head + By the wind of pride has with dust been spread! + + My bosom's fumes, my sighs so warm, + Have inflamed yon crude and unfeeling swarm.[5] + + This mad heart's secret, well I know, + Is beyond the thoughts of both high and low. + + E'en by that sweetheart charmed am I, + Who once from my heart made sweetness fly. + + Who that my Silvern Tree hath seen, + Would regard the cypress that decks the green?[6] + + In grief be patient, + Night and day, + Till thy fortune, Háfiz, + Thy wish obey. + + + +VI + + My heart no longer brooks my hand: sages, aid for God my woe! + Else, alas! my secret-deep soon the curious world must know. + + The bark we steer has stranded: O breeze auspicious swell: + We yet may see once more the Friend we love so well. + + The ten days' favor of the Sphere--magic is; a tale which lies! + Thou who wouldst befriend thy friends, seize each moment ere it flies. + + At night, 'mid wine and flowers, the bulbul tuned his song: + "Bring thou the morning bowl: prepare, ye drunken throng!" + + Sikander's mirror, once so famed, is the wine-filled cup: behold + All that haps in Dárá's realm glassed within its wondrous mould.[7] + + O bounteous man, since Heaven sheds o'er thee blessings mild, + Inquire, one day at least, how fares Misfortune's child. + + What holds in peace this twofold world, let this twofold sentence show: + "Amity to every friend, courtesy to every foe." + + Upon the way of honor, impeded was my range; + If this affect thee, strive my destiny to change. + + That bitter, which the Súfi styled "Mother of all woes that be,"[8] + Seems, with maiden's kisses weighed, better and more sweet to me. + + Seek drunkenness and pleasure till times of strait be o'er: + This alchemy of life can make the beggar Kore.[9] + + Submit; or burn thou taper-like e'en from jealousy o'er-much: + Adamant no less than wax, melts beneath that charmer's touch. + + When fair ones talk in Persian, the streams of life out-well: + This news to pious Pirs, my Sákí, haste to tell. + + Since Háfiz, not by his own choice, + This his wine-stained cowl did win, + Shaikh, who hast unsullied robes, + Hold me innocent of sin.[10] + + Arrayed in youthful splendor, the orchard smiles again; + News of the rose enraptures the bulbul of sweet strain. + + Breeze, o'er the meadow's children, when thy fresh fragrance blows, + Salute for me the cypress, the basil, and the rose. + + If the young Magian[11] dally with grace so coy and fine, + My eye shall bend their fringes to sweep the house of wine. + + O thou whose bat of amber hangs o'er a moon below,[12] + Deal not to me so giddy, the anguish of a blow. + + I fear that tribe of mockers who topers' ways impeach, + Will part with their religion the tavern's goal to reach. + + To men of God be friendly: in Noah's ark was earth[13] + Which deemed not all the deluge one drop of water worth. + + As earth, two handfuls yielding, shall thy last couch supply, + What need to build thy palace, aspiring to the sky? + + Flee from the house of Heaven, and ask not for her bread: + Her goblet black shall shortly her every guest strike dead.[14] + + To thee, my Moon of Kanaan, the Egyptian throne pertains; + At length has come the moment that thou shouldst quit thy chains. + + I know not what dark projects those pointed locks design, + That once again in tangles their musky curls combine. + + Be gay, drink wine, and revel; + But not, like others, care, + O Háfiz, from the Koran + To weave a wily snare! + + + +XII + + Oh! where are deeds of virtue and this frail spirit where? + How wide the space that sunders the bounds of Here and There! + + Can toping aught in common with works and worship own? + Where is regard for sermons, where is the rebeck's Tone?[15] + + My heart abhors the cloister, and the false cowl its sign: + Where is the Magian's cloister, and where is his pure wine? + + 'Tis fled: may memory sweetly mind me of Union's days! + Where is that voice of anger, where those coquettish ways? + + Can a foe's heart be kindled by the friend's face so bright? + Where is a lamp unlighted, and the clear Day-star's light? + + As dust upon thy threshold supplies my eyes with balm, + If I forsake thy presence, where can I hope for calm? + + Turn from that chin's fair apple; a pit is on the way. + To what, O heart, aspir'st thou? Whither thus quickly? Say! + + Seek not, O friend, in Háfiz + Patience, nor rest from care: + Patience and rest--what are they? + Where is calm slumber, where? + + + +XIV + + At eve a son of song--his heart be cheerful long!-- + Piped on his vocal reed a soul-inflaming lay. + + So deeply was I stirred, that melody once heard, + That to my tearful eyes the things of earth grew gray. + + With me my Sákí was, and momently did he + At night the sun of Daï[16] by lock and cheek display. + + When he perceived my wish, he filled with wine the bowl; + Then said I to that youth whose track was Fortune's way: + + "Sákí, from Being's prison deliverance did I gain, + When now and now the cup thou lit'st with cheerful ray. + + "God guard thee here below from all the haps of woe; + God in the Seat of Bliss reward thee on His day!" + + When Háfiz rapt has grown, + How, at one barleycorn, + Should he appraise the realm, + E'en of Káús the Kay?[17] + + + +XVI + + I said: "O Monarch of the lovely, a stranger seeks thy grace this day." + I heard: "The heart's deceitful guidance inclines the stranger from + his way." + + Exclaimed I then: "One moment tarry!" "Nay," was the answer, "let me go; + How can the home-bred child be troubled by stories of a stranger's + woe?" + + Shall one who, gently nurtured, slumbers with royal ermine for a bed, + "Care if on rocks or thorns reposing the stranger rests his weary head?" + + O thou whose locks hold fast on fetters so many a soul known long ago, + How strange that musky mole and charming upon thy cheek of vermil glow! + + Strange is that ant-like down's appearance circling the oval of thy + face; + Yet musky shade is not a stranger within the Hall which paintings + grace.[18] + + A crimson tint, from wine reflected gleams in that face of moonlight + sheen; + E'en as the bloom of syrtis, strangely, o'er clusters of the pale + Nasrín.[19] + + I said: "O thou, whose lock so night-black is evening in the + stranger's sight, + Be heedful if, at break of morning, the stranger sorrow for his + plight." + + "Háfiz," the answer was, "familiars + Stand in amaze at my renown; + It is no marvel if a stranger + In weariness and grief sit down." + + + +XVII + + 'Tis morn; the clouds a ceiling make: + The morn-cup, mates, the morn-cup take! + + Drops of dew streak the tulip's cheek; + The wine-bowl, friends, the wine-bowl seek + + The greensward breathes a gale divine; + Drink, therefore, always limpid wine. + + The Flower her emerald throne displays: + Bring wine that has the ruby's blaze + + Again is closed the vintner's store, + "Open, Thou Opener of the door!"[20] + + While smiles on us the season's boon, + I marvel that they close so soon. + + Thy lips have salt-rights, 'tis confessed, + O'er wounds upon the fire-burnt breast. + + Háfiz, let not + Thy courage fail! + Fortune, thy charmer + Shall unveil. + + + +XIX + + Lo! from thy love's enchanting bowers Rizván's bright gardens fresher + grow;[21] + From the fierce heat thine absence kindles, Gehenna's flames intenser + glow. + + To thy tall form and cheek resplendent, as to a place of refuge, fleet + Heaven and the Túbâ-tree, and find there--"Happiness--and a fair + retreat."[22] + + When nightly the celestial river glides through the garden of the skies, + As my own eye, it sees in slumber, nought but thy drunk narcissus eyes. + + Each section of the spring-tide's volume makes a fresh comment on thy + name, + Each portal of the Empyrean murmurs the title of thy fame. + + My heart has burned, but to ambition, the aim, still wished for, is + denied: + These tears that tinged with blood are flowing, if I could reach it, + would be dried. + + What ample power thy salt-rights give thee (which both thy mouth and + lips can claim), + Over a breast by sorrow wounded, and a heart burnt within its flame! + + Oh! think not that the amorous only are drunk with rapture at thy sway: + Hast thou not heard of zealots, also, as reckless and as wrecked as + they? + + By thy lips' reign I hold it proven that the bright ruby's sheen is won + By the resplendent light that flashes out of a world-illuming sun.[23] + + Fling back thy veil! how long, oh tell me! shall drapery thy beauty + pale? + This drapery, no profit bringing, can only for thy shame avail. + + A fire within the rose's bosom was kindled when she saw thy face; + And soon as she inhaled thy fragrance, she grew all rose-dew from + disgrace. + + The love thy countenance awakens whelms Háfiz in misfortune's sea; + Death threatens him! ho there! give help, ere yet that he has ceased + to be! + + While life is thine, consent not, Háfiz, + That it should speed ignobly by; + But strive thou to attain the object + Of thy existence ere thou die. + + + +XX + + I swear--my master's soul bear witness, faith of old times, and + promise leal!-- + At early morning, my companion, is prayer for thy unceasing weal. + + My tears, a more o'erwhelming deluge than was the flood which Noah + braved, + Have washed not from my bosom's tablet the image which thy love has + graved. + + Come deal with me, and strike thy bargain: I have a broken heart to + sell, + Which in its ailing state out-values a hundred thousand which are well. + + Be lenient, if thou deem me drunken: on the primeval day divine + Love, who possessed my soul as master, bent my whole nature unto wine. + + Strive after truth that for thy solace the Sun may in thy spirit rise; + For the false dawn of earlier morning grows dark of face because it + lies.[24] + + O heart, thy friend's exceeding bounty should free thee from unfounded + dread; + This instant, as of love thou vauntest, be ready to devote thy head! + + I gained from thee my frantic yearning for mountains and the barren + plain, + Yet loath art thou to yield to pity, and loosen at mid-height my chain. + + If the ant casts reproach on Ásaf, with justice does her tongue upbraid, + For when his Highness lost Jem's signet, no effort for the quest he + made.[25] + + No constancy--yet grieve not, Háfiz-- + Expect thou from the faithless fair; + What right have we to blame the garden, + Because the plant has withered there? + + + +XXII + + Veiled in my heart my fervent love for him dwells, + And my true eye holds forth a glass to his spells. + + Though the two worlds ne'er bowed my head when elate, + Favors as his have bent my neck with their weight. + + Thine be the lote, but I Love's stature would reach. + High like his zeal ascends the fancy of each. + + Yet who am I that sacred temple to tread? + Still let the East that portal guard in my stead! + + Spots on my robe--shall they arouse my complaint? + Nay! the world knows that he at least has no taint. + + My turn has come; behold! Majnún is no more;[26] + Five days shall fly, and each one's turn shall be o'er. + + Love's ample realm, sweet joy, and all that is glad, + Save for his bounty I should never have had.[27] + + I and my heart--though both should sacrificed be, + Grant my friend's weal, their loss were nothing to me. + + Ne'er shall his form within my pupil be dim, + For my eye's cell is but a chamber for him. + + All the fresh blooms that on the greensward we view, + Gain but from him their scent and beauty of hue. + + Háfiz seems poor; + But look within, for his breast, + Shrining his love, + With richest treasure is blest. + + + +XXIII + + Prone at my friend's high gates, my Will its head lays still: + Whate'er my head awaits is ordered by that will. + + My friend resembles none; in vain I sought to trace, + In glance of moon or sun, the radiance of that face. + + Can morning's breeze make known what grief this heart doth hold, + Which as a bud hath grown, compressed by fold on fold? + + Not I first drained the jar where rev'lers pass away:[28] + Heads in this work-yard are nought else than wine-jars' clay. + + Meseems thy comb has wreathed those locks which amber yield: + The gale has civet breathed, and amber scents the field. + + Flowers of verdant nooks be strewn before thy face: + Let cypresses of brooks bear witness to thy grace! + + When dumb grow tongues of men that on such love would dwell, + Why should a tongue-cleft pen by babbling strive to tell? + + Thy cheek is in my heart; no more will bliss delay; + Glad omens e'er impart news of a gladder day. + + Love's fire has dropped its spark + In Háfiz' heart before: + The wild-grown tulip's mark + Branded of old its core.[29] + + + +XXV + + Breeze of the morn, if hence to the land thou fliest--Of my friend, + Return with a musky breath from the lock so sweet + Of my friend. + + Yea, by that life, I swear I would lay down mine in content, + If once I received through thee but a message sent + Of my friend. + + But--at that sacred court, if approach be wholly denied, + Convey, for my eyes, the dust that the door supplied + Of my friend. + + I--but a beggar mean--can I hope for Union at last? + Ah! would that in sleep I saw but the shadow cast + Of my friend. + + Ever my pine-cone heart, as the aspen trembling and shy, + Has yearned for the pine-like shape and the stature high + Of my friend. + + Not at the lowest price would my friend to purchase me care; + Yet I, a whole world to win, would not sell one hair + Of my friend. + + How should this heart gain aught, + Were its gyves of grief flung aside? + I, Háfiz, a bondsman, still + Would the slave abide + Of my friend. + + + +XXIX + + Who of a Heaven on earth can tell, pure as the cell--Of dervishes? + If in the highest state you'd dwell, be ever slaves + Of dervishes. + + The talisman of magic Might hid in some ruin's lonely site, + Emerges from its ancient night at the wild glance + Of dervishes. + + When the proud sun has run his race, and he puts off his crown apace, + He bows before the pomp and place which are the boast + Of dervishes. + + The palace portal of the sky, watched by Rizván's unsleeping eye, + All gazers can at once descry from the glad haunts + Of dervishes. + + When mortal hearts are black and cold, that which transmutes them into + gold + Is the alchemic stone we hold from intercourse + Of dervishes. + + When tyranny, from pole to pole, sways o'er the earth with dire control, + We see from first to last unroll the victor-flag + Of dervishes. + + There is a wealth which lasts elate, unfearful of decline from fate; + Hear it with joy--this wealth so great, is in the hands + Of dervishes. + + Khosráus, the kiblahs of our prayer have weight to solace our + despair,[30] + But they are potent by their care for the high rank + Of dervishes. + + O, vaunter of thy riches' pride! lay all thy vanity aside, + And know that health and wealth abide but by the will + Of dervishes. + + Korah lost all his treasured store, which, cursed of Heaven, sinks + daily more, + (Hast thou not heard this tale of yore?) from disregard + Of dervishes,[31] + + The smiling face of joy unknown, yet sought by tenants of a throne, + Is only in the mirror shown of the clear face + Of dervishes. + + Let but our Ásaf's eye request, I am the slave of his behest, + For though his looks his rank attest, he has the mind + Of dervishes. + + Háfiz, if of the tide thou think, which makes immortal those who drink, + Seek in the dust that fountain's brink, at the cell door + Of dervishes. + + Háfiz, while here on earth, be wise: + He who to empire's rule would rise, + Knows that his upward pathway lies + Through his regard + Of dervishes. + + + +XXXI + + In blossom is the crimson rose, and the rapt bulbul trills his song; + A summons that to revel calls you, O Súfis, wine-adoring throng! + + The fabric of my contrite fervor appeared upon a rock to bide; + Yet see how by a crystal goblet it hath been shattered in its pride. + + Bring wine; for to a lofty spirit, should they at its tribunal be, + What were the sentry, what the Sultan, the toper, or the foe of glee? + + Forth from this hostel of two portals as finally thou needs must go, + What of the porch and arch of Being be of high span or meanly low? + + To bliss' goal we gain not access, if sorrow has been tasted not; + Yea, with Alastu's pact was coupled the sentence of our baleful lot. + + At Being and Non-being fret not; but either with calm temper see: + Non-being is the term appointed for the most lovely things that be. + + Ásaf's display, the airy courser, the language which the birds employed, + The wind has swept; and their possessor no profit from his wealth + enjoyed.[32] + + Oh! fly not from thy pathway upward, for the winged shaft that quits + the bow + A moment to the air has taken, to settle in the dust below. + + What words of gratitude, O Háfiz + Shall thy reed's tongue express anon, + As its choice gems of composition + From hands to other hands pass on? + + + +XXXV + + Now on the rose's palm the cup with limpid wine is brimming, + And with a hundred thousand tongues the bird her praise is hymning. + + Ask for a song-book, seek the wild, no time is this for knowledge; + The Comment of the Comments spurn, and learning of the college,[33] + + Be it thy rule to shun mankind, and let the Phoenix monish, + For the reports of hermit fame, from Káf to Káf astonish.[34] + + When yesterday our rector reeled, this sentence he propounded: + "Wine is a scandal; but far worse what men's bequests have founded." + + Turbid or clear, though not thy choice, drink thankfully; well knowing + That all which from our Sákí flows to his free grace is owing. + + Each dullard who would share my fame, each rival self-deceiver, + Reminds me that at times the mat seems golden to its weaver. + + Cease, Háfiz! store as ruddy gold + The wit that's in thy ditty: + The stampers of false coin, behold! + Are bankers for the city.[35] + + + +XLII + + 'Tis a deep charm which wakes the lover's flame, + Not ruby lip, nor verdant down its name. + + Beauty is not the eye, lock, cheek, and mole; + A thousand subtle points the heart control. + + + +XLIII + + Zealot, censure not the toper, guileless though thou keep thy soul: + Certain 'tis that sins of others none shall write upon thy scroll. + + Be my deeds or good or evil, look thou to thyself alone; + All men, when their work is ended, reap the harvest they have sown. + + Never of Eternal Mercy preach that I must yet despair; + Canst thou pierce the veil, and tell me who is ugly, who is fair? + + Every one the Friend solicits, be he sober, quaff he wine; + Every place has love its tenant, be it or the mosque, or shrine. + + From the still retreat of virtue not the first am I to roam, + For my father also quitted his eternal Eden home. + + See this head, devout submission: bricks at many a vintner's door: + If my foe these words misconstrue--"Bricks and head!"--Say nothing more. + + Fair though Paradise's garden, deign to my advice to yield: + Here enjoy the shading willow, and the border of the field. + + Lean not on thy store of merits; know'st thou 'gainst thy name for aye + What the Plastic Pen indited, on the Unbeginning Day? + + Háfiz, if thou grasp thy beaker + When the hour of death is nigh, + From the street where stands the tavern + Straight they'll bear thee to the sky. + + + +XLV + + O breeze of morn! where is the place which guards my friend from strife? + Where is the abode of that sly Moon who lovers robs of life? + + The night is dark, the Happy Vale in front of me I trace.[36] + Where is the fire of Sinäi, where is the meeting place? + + Here jointly are the wine-filled cup, the rose, the minstrel; yet + While we lack love, no bliss is here: where can my Loved be met? + + Of the Shaikh's cell my heart has tired, and of the convent bare: + Where is my friend, the Christian's child, the vintner's mansion, where? + + Háfiz, if o'er the glade of earth + The autumn-blast is borne, + Grieve not, but musing ask thyself: + "Where has the rose no thorn?" + + + +LIX + + My Prince, so gracefully thou steppest, that where thy footsteps + fall--I'd die. + My Turk, so gracefully thou glidest, before thy stature tall + I'd die. + + "When wilt thou die before me?"--saidst thou. Why thus so eagerly + inquire? + These words of thy desire delight me; forestalling thy desire + I'd die. + + I am a lover, drunk, forsaken: Sákí, that idol, where is he? + Come hither with thy stately bearing! let me thy fair form see, + I'd die. + + Should he, apart from whom I've suffered a life-long illness, day by + day, + Bestow on me a glance, one only, beneath that orb dark-gray + I'd die. + + "The ruby of my lips," thou saidst, "now bale, now balsam may exhale": + At one time from their healing balsam, at one time from their bale + I'd die. + + How trim thy gait! May eye of evil upon thy face be never bent! + There dwells within my head this fancy; that at thy feet content + I'd die. + + Though no place has been found for Háfiz + In Love's retreat, where hid thou art, + For me thine every part has beauty, + Before thine every part-- + I'd die. + + + +LXIII + + My heart has of the world grown weary and all that it can lend: + The shrine of my affection holds no Being but my friend. + + If e'er for me thy love's sweet garden a fragrant breath exhale, + My heart, expansive in its joy, shall bud-like burst its veil. + + Should I upon love's path advise thee, when now a fool I've grown, + 'Twould be the story of the fool, the pitcher, and the stone. + + Go! say to the secluded zealot: "Withhold thy blame; for know, + I find the arch of the Mihráb[37] but in an eyebrow's bow." + + Between the Ka'bah and the wine-house, no difference I see: + Whate'er the spot my glance surveys, there equally is He. + + 'Tis not for beard, hair, eyebrow only, Kalandarism should care: + The Kalandar computes the Path by adding hair to hair.[38] + + The Kalandar who gives a hair's head, + An easy path doth tread: + The Kalandar of genuine stamp, + As Háfiz gives his head. + + + +LXIX + + My heart desires the face so fair--Of Farrukh;[39] + It is perturbed as is the hair + Of Farrukh. + + No creature but that lock, that Hindú swart, + Enjoyment from the cheek has sought + Of Farrukh. + + A blackamoor by Fortune blest is he, + Placed at the side, and near the knee + Of Farrukh. + + Shy as the aspen is the cypress seen, + Awed by the captivating mien + Of Farrukh. + + Sákí, bring syrtis-tinted wine to tell + Of those narcissi, potent spell + Of Farrukh. + + Bent as the archer's bow my frame is now, + From woes continuous as the brow + Of Farrukh. + + E'en Tartar gales which musky odors whirl, + Faint at the amber-breathing curl + Of Farrukh. + + If leans the human heart to any place, + Mine has a yearning to the grace + Of Farrukh. + + That lofty soul + Shall have my service true, + That serves, as Háfiz, + The Hindú--[40] + Of Farrukh. + + + +LXXI + + When now the rose upon the meadow from Nothing into Being springs, + When at her feet the humble violet with her head low in worship clings, + + Take from thy morn-filled cup refreshment while tabors and the harp + inspire, + Nor fail to kiss the chin of Sákí while the flute warbles and the lyre. + + Sit thou with wine, with harp, with charmer, until the rose's bloom be + past; + For as the days of life which passes, is the brief week that she shall + last. + + The face of earth, from herbal mansions, is lustrous as the sky; and + shines + With asterisms of happy promise, with stars that are propitious signs. + + In gardens let Zoroaster's worship again with all its rites revive, + While now within the tulip's blossoms the fires of Nimrod[41] are alive. + + Drink wine, presented by some beauty of Christ-like breath, of cheek + fair-hued; + And banish from thy mind traditions to Ád relating, and Thamúd.[42] + + Earth rivals the Immortal Garden during the rose and lily's reign; + But what avails when the immortal is sought for on this earth in vain? + + When riding on the windy courser, as Solomon, the rose is found, + And when the Bird, at hour of morning, makes David's melodies resound, + + Ask thou, in Solomon's dominion, a goblet to the brim renewed; + Pledge the Vizir, the cycle's Ásaf, the column of the Faith, Mahmud. + + O Háfiz, while his days continue, let joy eternal be thine aim; + And may the shadow of his kindness eternally abide the same! + + Bring wine; for Háfiz, if in trouble, + Will ceaselessly the help implore + Of him who bounty shall aid ever, + As it have aid vouchsafed before. + + + +LXXVII + + Upon the path of Love, O heart, deceit and risk are great! + And fall upon the way shall he who at swift rate + Shall go. + + Inflated by the wind of pride, the bubble's head may shine; + But soon its cap of rule shall fall, and merged in wine + Shall go. + + O heart, when thou hast aged grown, show airs of grace no more: + Remember that such ways as these when youth is o'er + Shall go. + + Has the black book of black locks closed, the album yet shall stay, + Though many a score the extracts be which day by day + Shall go. + + + +LXXXV + + To me love's echo is the sweetest sound + Of all that 'neath this circling Round + Hath stayed. + + + +LXXXVI + + A beggar am I; yet enamoured of one of cypress mould: + One in whose belt the hand bides only with silver and with gold. + + Bring wine! let first the hand of Háfiz + The cheery cup embrace! + Yet only on one condition-- + No word beyond this place! + + + +LXXXVII + + When beamed Thy beauty on creation's morn, + The world was set on fire by love new-born. + + Thy cheek shone bright, yet angels' hearts were cold: + Then flashed it fire, and turned to Adam's mould. + + The lamp of Reason from this flame had burned, + But lightning jealousy the world o'erturned. + + The enemy Thy secret sought to gain; + A hand unseen repelled the beast profane. + + The die of Fate may render others glad: + My own heart saddens, for its lot is sad. + + Thy chin's deep pit allures the lofty mind: + The hand would grasp thy locks in twines entwined, + + Háfiz his love-scroll + To Thyself addressed, + When he had cancelled + What his heart loved best. + + + +LXXXVIII + + The preacher of the town will find my language hard, maybe: + While bent upon deceit and fraud, no Mussulman is he. + + Learn drinking and do gracious deeds; the merit is not great + If a mere brute shall taste not wine, and reach not man's estate. + + Efficient is the Name Divine; be of good cheer, O heart! + The dív becomes not Solomon by guile and cunning's art. + + The benisons of Heaven are won by purity alone: + Else would not pearl and coral spring from every clod and stone? + + + +CI + + Angels I saw at night knock at the wine-house gate: + They shaped the clay of Adam, flung into moulds its weight. + + Spirits of the Unseen World of Purities divine, + With me an earth-bound mortal, poured forth their 'wildering wine. + + Heaven, from its heavy trust aspiring to be free, + The duty was allotted, mad as I am, to me. + + Thank God my friend and I once more sweet peace have gained! + For this the houris dancing thanksgiving cups have drained. + + With Fancy's hundred wisps what wonder that I've strayed, + When Adam in his prudence was by a grain bewrayed?[43] + + Excuse the wrangling sects, which number seventy-two: + They knock at Fable's portal, for Truth eludes their view. + + No fire is that whose flame the taper laughs to scorn: + True fire consumes to ashes the moth's upgarnered corn. + + Blood fills recluses' hearts where Love its dot doth place, + Fine as the mole that glistens upon a charmer's face. + + As Háfiz, none Thought's face + Hath yet unveiled; not e'en + Since for the brides of Language + Combed have their tresses been. + + + +CXV + + Lost Joseph shall return to Kanaan's land--Despair not: + Affliction's cell of gloom with flowers shall bloom: + Despair not + + Sad heart, thy state shall mend; repel despondency; + Thy head confused with pain shall sense regain: + Despair not. + + When life's fresh spring returns upon the daïs mead, + O night-bird! o'er thy head the rose shall spread: + Despair not, + + Hope on, though things unseen may baffle thy research; + Mysterious sports we hail beyond the veil: + Despair not. + + Has the revolving Sphere two days opposed thy wish, + Know that the circling Round is changeful found: + Despair not. + + If on the Ka'bah bent, thou brave the desert sand, + Though from the acacias thorn thy foot be torn, + Despair not, + + Heart, should the flood of death life's fabric sweep away, + Noah shall steer the ark o'er billows dark: + Despair not, + + Though perilous the stage, though out of sight the goal, + Whither soe'er we wend, there is an end: + Despair not, + + If Love evades our grasp, and rivals press our suit, + God, Lord of every change, surveys the range: + Despair not. + + Háfiz, in thy poor nook-- + Alone, the dark night through-- + Prayer and the Koran's page + Shall grief assuage-- + Despair not. + + + +CXXIX + + Endurance, intellect, and peace have from my bosom flown, + Lured by an idol's silver ear-lobes, and its heart of stone. + + An image brisk, of piercing looks, with peris' beauty blest, + Of slender shape, of lunar face, in Turk-like tunic drest! + + With a fierce glow within me lit--in amorous frenzy lost-- + A culinary pot am I, in ebullition tost. + + My nature as a shirt's would be, at all times free from smart, + If like yon tunic garb I pressed the wearer to my heart. + + At harshness I have ceased to grieve, for none to light can bring + A rose that is apart from thorns, or honey void of sting. + + The framework of this mortal form may rot within the mould, + But in my soul a love exists which never shall grow cold. + + My heart and faith, my heart and faith--of old they were unharmed, + Till by yon shoulders and yon breast, yon breast and shoulders charmed. + + Háfiz, a medicine for thy woe, + A medicine must thou sip, + No other than that lip so sweet, + That lip so sweet, that lip. + + + +CXXXIV + + Although upon his moon-like cheek delight and beauty glow, + Nor constancy nor love is there: O Lord! these gifts bestow. + + A child makes war against my heart; and he in sport one day + Will put me to a cruel death, and law shall not gainsay. + + What seems for my own good is this: my heart from him to guard; + For one who knows not good from ill its guardianship were hard. + + Agile and sweet of fourteen years that idol whom I praise: + His ear-rings in her soul retains the moon of fourteen days. + + A breath as the sweet smell of milk comes from those sugary lips; + But from those black and roguish eyes behold what blood there drips! + + My heart to find that new-born rose has gone upon its way; + But where can it be found, O Lord? I've lost it many a day. + + If the young friend who owns my heart my centre thus can break, + The Pasha will command him soon the lifeguard's rank to take. + + I'd sacrifice my life in thanks, + If once that pearl of sheen + Would make the shell of Háfiz' eye + Its place of rest serene. + + + +CXXXV + + I tried my fortune in this city lorn: + From out its whirlpool must my pack be borne. + + I gnaw my hand, and, heaving sighs of ire, + I light in my rent frame the rose's fire. + + Sweet sang the bulbul at the close of day, + The rose attentive on her leafy spray: + + "O heart! be joyful, for thy ruthless Love + Sits down ill-temper'd at the sphere above. + + "To make the false, harsh world thyself pass o'er, + Ne'er promise falsely and be harsh no more. + + "If beat misfortune's waves upon heaven's roof, + Devout men's fate and gear bide ocean-proof. + + "Háfiz, if lasting + Were enjoyment's day, + Jem's throne would never + Have been swept away." + + + +CXLV + + Breeze of the North, thy news allays my fears: + The hour of meeting with my Loved one nears. + + Prospered by Heaven, O carrier pigeon, fly: + Hail to thee, hail to thee, come nigh, come nigh! + + How fares our Salmâ? What Zú Salam's state? + Our neighbors there--are they unscathed by Fate? + + The once gay banquet-hall is now devoid + Of circling goblets, and of friends who joyed. + + Perished the mansion with its lot serene: + Interrogate the mounds where once 'twas seen. + + The night of absence has now cast its shade: + What freaks by Fancy's night-gang will be played? + + He who has loved relates an endless tale: + Here the most eloquent of tongues must fail. + + My Turk's kind glances no one can obtain: + Alas, this pride, this coldness, this disdain! + + In perfect beauty did thy wish draw nigh: + God guard thee from Kamál's malefic eye![44] + + Háfiz, long will last + Patience, love, and pain? + Lovers wail is sweet: + Do thou still complain. + + + +CXLVI + + O thou who hast ravished my heart by thine exquisite grace and thy + shape, + Thou carest for no one, and yet not a soul from thyself can escape. + + At times I draw sighs from my heart, and at times, O my life, thy + sharp dart: + Can aught I may say represent all the ills I endure from my heart? + + How durst I to rivals commend thy sweet lips by the ruby's tent gemmed, + When words that are vivid in hue by a soul unrefined are contemned? + + As strength to thy beauty accrues ev'ry day from the day sped before, + To features consummate as thine, will we liken the night-star no more. + + My heart hast thou reft: take my soul! For thine envoy of grief what + pretence? + One perfect in grief as myself with collector as he may dispense. + + O Háfiz, in Love's holy bane, + As thy foot has at last made its way, + Lay hold of his skirt with thy hand, + And with all sever ties from to-day. + + + +CXLIX + + Both worlds, the Transient and Eterne, for Sákí and the Loved I'd yield: + To me appears Love's satellite the universe's ample field. + + Should a new favorite win my place, my ruler shall be still supreme: + It were a sin should I my life more precious than my friend esteem. + + + +CLV + + Last night my tears, a torrent stream, stopped Sleep by force: + I painted, musing on thy down, upon the water-course. + + Then, viewing my Beloved one's brow--my cowl burnt up-- + In honor of the sacred Arch I drained my flowing cup. + + From my dear friend's resplendent brow pure light was shed; + And on that moon there fell from far the kisses that I sped. + + The face of Sákí charmed my eye, the harp my ear: + At once for both mine ear and eye what omens glad were here! + + I painted thine ideal face till morning's light, + Upon the studio of my eye, deprived of sleep at night. + + My Sákí took at this sweet strain the wine-bowl up: + I sang to him these verses first; then drank to sparkling cup. + + If any of my bird-like thoughts from joy's branch flew, + Back from the springes of thy lock their fleeting wings I drew. + + The time of Háfiz passed in joy: + To friends I brought + For fortune and the days of life + The omens that they sought. + + + +CLVII + + Come, Súfi, let us from our limbs the dress that's worn for cheat Draw: + Let us a blotting line right through this emblem of deceit + Draw. + + The convent's revenues and alms we'd sacrifice for wine awhile, + And through the vintry's fragrant flood this dervish-robe of guile + Draw. + + Intoxicated, forth we'll dash, and from our feasting foe's rich stores + Bear off his wine, and then by force his charmer out of doors + Draw. + + Fate may conceal her mystery, shut up within her hiding pale, + But we who act as drunken men will from its face the veil + Draw. + + Here let us shine by noble deeds, lest we at last ashamed appear, + When starting for the other world, we hence our spirit's gear + Draw. + + To-morrow at Rizván's green glade, should they refuse to make it ours, + We from their halls will the ghilmán, the houris from their bowers + Draw. + + Where can we see her winking brow, that we, as the new moon of old, + At once may the celestial ball, as with a bat of gold, + Draw? + + O Háfiz! it becomes us not + Our boastful claims thus forth to put: + Beyond the limits of our rug + Why would we fain our foot + Draw? + + + +CLIX + + Aloud I say it, and with heart of glee: + "Love's slave am I, and from both worlds am free." + + Can I, the bird of sacred gardens, tell + Into this net of chance how first I fell? + + My place the Highest Heaven, an angel born, + I came by Adam to this cloister lorn. + + Sweet houris, Túbâ's shade, and Fountain's brink + Fade from my mind when of thy street I think. + + Knows no astrologer my star of birth: + Lord, 'neath what plant bore me Mother Earth? + + Since with ringed ear I've served Love's house of wine, + Grief's gratulations have each hour been mine. + + My eyeball's man drains my heart's blood; 'tis just: + In man's own darling did I place my trust. + + My Loved one's Alif-form[45] stamps all my thought: + Save that, what letter has my master taught? + + Let Háfiz' tear-drops + By thy lock be dried, + For fear I perish + In their rushing tide. + + + +CLXVI + + Knowest thou what fortune is? + 'Tis Beauty's sight obtaining; + 'Tis asking in her lane for alms, + And royal pomp disdaining. + + Sev'erance from the wish for life an easy task is ever; + But lose we friends who sweeten life, the tie is hard to sever. + + Bud-like with a serried heart I'll to the orchard wander; + The garment of my good repute I'll tear to pieces yonder; + + Now, as doth the West-wind, tell deep secrets to the Flower, + Hear now of Love's mysterious sport from bulbuls of the bower. + + Kiss thy Beloved one's lips at first while the occasion lingers: + Await thou else disgust at last from biting lip and fingers. + + Profit by companionship: this two-doored house forsaken, + No pathway that can thither lead in future time is taken. + + Háfiz from the thought, it seems, + Of Sháh Mansur has fleeted; + O Lord! remind him that the poor + With favor should be treated. + + + +CLXXIII + + With my heart's blood I wrote to one most dear: + "The earth seems doom-struck if thou are not near. + + "My eyes a hundred signs of absence show: + These tears are not their only signs of woe." + + I gained no boon from her for labor spent: + "Who tries the tried will in the end repent." + + I asked how fared she; the physician spake: + "Afar from her is health; but near her ache." + + The East-wind from my Moon removed her veil: + At morn shone forth the Sun from vapors pale. + + I said: "They'll mock, if I go round thy lane." + By God! no love escapes the mocker's bane. + + Grant Háfiz' prayer: + "One cup, by life so sweet!" + He seeks a goblet + With thy grace replete! + + + +CLXXX + + O thou who art unlearned still, the quest of love essay: + Canst thou who hast not trod the path guide others on the way? + + While in the school of Truth thou stay'st, from Master Love to learn, + Endeavor, though a son to-day, the father's grade to earn. + + Slumber and food have held thee far from Love's exalted good: + Wouldst thou attain the goal of love, abstain from sleep and food. + + If with the rays of love of truth thy heart and soul be clear, + By God! thy beauty shall outshine the sun which lights the sphere. + + Wash from the dross of life thy hands, as the Path's men of old, + And winning Love's alchemic power, transmute thyself to gold. + + On all thy frame, from head to foot, the light of God shall shine, + If on the Lord of Glory's path nor head nor foot be thine. + + An instant plunge into God's sea, nor e'er the truth forget + That the Seven Seas' o'erwhelming tide, no hair of thine shall wet. + + If once thy glancing eye repose on the Creator's face. + Thenceforth among the men who glance shall doubtless be thy place.[46] + + When that which thy existence frames all upside-down shall be, + Imagine not that up and down shall be the lot of thee. + + Háfiz, if ever in thy head + Dwell Union's wish serene, + Thou must become the threshold's dust + Of men whose sight is keen. + + + +[FOOTNOTES to THE DIVAN] + +[Footnote 1: "The traveller of the Pathway"--the Magian, or Shaikh. In +former times wine was chiefly sold by Magians, and as the keepers of +taverns and caravansaries grew popular, the term Magian was used to +designate not only "mine host," but also a wise old man, or spiritual +teacher.] + +[Footnote 2: An allusion to the dimple and moisture of the chin, +considered great beauties by Orientals.] + +[Footnote 3: Jem or Jemshíd, an ancient King of Persia. By Jem and his +Sákí are to be understood, in this couplet, the King of Yazd and his +courtiers.] + +[Footnote 4: By the azure cowl is implied the cloak of deceit and false +humility. Háfiz uses this expression to cast ridicule upon Shaikh +Hazan's order of dervishes, who were inimical to the brotherhood of +which the poet was a member. The dervishes mentioned wore blue to +express their celestial aspirations.] + +[Footnote 5: The disciples of Shaikh Hasan. Háfiz had incurred their +displeasure by the levity of his conduct.] + +[Footnote 6: In the "Gulistan" of Sa'di a philosopher declares that, of +all the trees, the cypress is alone to be called free, because, unlike +the others, it is not subject to the vicissitudes of appointed place and +season, "but is at all times fresh and green, and this is the condition +of the free."] + +[Footnote 7: In some MSS. we read: "The mirror of Sikander is the goblet +of Jem." King Jem, or Jemshíd, had a talismanic cup: Sikander, or +Alexander, had inherited from pre-Adamite times a magic mirror by means +of which he was enabled to see into the camp of his enemy Dárá (Darius). +Háfiz here informs us that the knowledge imputed to either king was +obtained by wine.] + +[Footnote 8: Referring to wine, which in the Koran is declared to be the +Mother of Vices.] + +[Footnote 9: Korah, Kore, or Kárun, the Dives of his age, was an +alchemist. He lived in an excess of luxury and show. At the height of +his pride and gluttony he rebelled against Moses, refusing to pay a +tithe of his possessions for the public use. The earth then opened and +swallowed him up together with the palace in which he dwelt. (See Koran, +chap, xxviii, and, for the Bible narrative, The Book of Numbers, chap, +xvi.)] + +[Footnote 10: It was decreed from all eternity that Háfiz should drink +wine. He had therefore no free agency and could not be justly blamed.] + +[Footnote 11: The boy serving at the wine-house.] + +[Footnote 12: The curl of hair over a moon-like face is here compared to +a curved mall-bat sweeping over a ball.] + +[Footnote 13: By "earth" is to be understood Noah himself.] + +[Footnote 14: Fate, Fortune, and the Sky, are in Oriental poetry +intervertible expressions; and the dome of Heaven is compared to a cup +which is full of poison for the unfortunate.] + +[Footnote 15: The rebeck is a sort of violin having only three chords.] + +[Footnote 16: His locks being black as night and his cheek cheerful as +the Sun of Daï or December.] + +[Footnote 17: Kai-káús, one of the most celebrated monarchs of Persia.] + +[Footnote 18: The pictured halls of China, or, in particular, the palace +of Arzhang, the dwelling of Manes. Manes lived in the third century of +our era, and his palace was famed as the Chinese picture-gallery. Háfiz +compares the bloom upon the cheek of his friend to the works of art +executed by Manes, in which dark shadows, like velvety down upon the +human face, excite no surprise.] + +[Footnote 19: The Nasrín is the dog-rose.] + +[Footnote 20: In Mohammedan countries it is customary to write upon the +doors: "O Opener of the gates! open unto us the gates of blessing."] + +[Footnote 21: Rizván is the gardener and gatekeeper of Paradise.] + +[Footnote 22: The lote-tree, known to Arabs as the Túbâ, is a prickly +shrub. The Koran says: "To those who believe, and perform good works, +appertain welfare and a fair retreat. The men of the right hand--how +happy shall be the men of the right hand!--shall dwell among the +lote-trees without thorns. Under their feet rivers shall flow in the +garden of Delight."] + +[Footnote 23: According to Oriental belief, the ruby and all other gems, +derive their brilliancy from the action of the sun. By a similar process +of Nature, ruby lips obtain their vivid color from the sun above them.] + +[Footnote 24: The zodiacal light or faint illumination of the sky which +disappears before the light of daybreak.] + +[Footnote 25: Ásaf, Solomon's "Vizir," was entrusted with the +guardianship of the imperial signet ring, which was possessed of magical +properties. While in his care it was stolen. When Solomon granted an +audience to animals, and even insects, the ant, it is related, brought +as an offering a blade of grass and rebuked Ásaf for having guarded the +royal treasure so carelessly. By Ásaf, Háfiz symbolizes in the present +instance his friend or favorite; by the ant is implied a small hair on +the face, and by the lost signet of Jem, a beautiful mouth, so small and +delicate as to be invisible.] + +[Footnote 26: Majnún, a celebrated lover, maddened by the charms of +Lailà.] + +[Footnote 27: This ode may have been written in gratitude for the +patronage of a man of rank.] + +[Footnote 28: Literally in this toper-consuming shrine (of the world). +The second line of the couplet probably means: Other revellers have +preceded me, but their heads are now potter's clay in the potter's field +of the earth.] + +[Footnote 29: The wild tulip of Shiraz has white petals streaked with +pink, the inner end of each bearing a deep puce mark. The dark spot +formed thus in the centre of the flower is compared to the brand of +love, pre-ordained on the Past Day of Eternity to be imprinted on the +heart of Háfiz.] + +[Footnote 30: Khosráu (Cyrus) is the title of several ancient kings of +Persia, and is here used in the plural to denote monarchs in general. +The term "kiblah," fronting-point, signifies the object towards which +the worshipper turns when he prays.] + +[Footnote 31: Korah or Kárun--the miser who disobeyed Moses and was +swallowed up with his treasures by the earth. They are said to be still +sinking deeper and deeper. (See Numbers, xvi.)] + +[Footnote 32: How vain were the glories of Solomon! Ásaf was his +minister, the East wind his courser, and the language of birds one of +his accomplishments; but the blast of time had swept them away.] + +[Footnote 33: The "Comment of the Comments" is a celebrated explanatory +treatise on the Koran.] + +[Footnote 34: Káf is a fabulous mountain encircling the world. In this +couplet and the following the poet ridicules the ascetics of his time.] + +[Footnote 35: The false coiners are inferior poets who endeavor to pass +off their own productions as the work of Háfiz.] + +[Footnote 36: Aiman (Happiness) is the valley in which God appeared to +Moses--metaphorically, the abode of the Beloved.] + +[Footnote 37: "Mihráb"--the niche in a mosque, towards which Mohammedans +pray.] + +[Footnote 38: Kalandars are an order of Mohammedan dervishes who wander +about and beg. The worthless sectaries of Kalandarism, Háfiz says, shave +off beard and tonsure, but the true or spiritual Kalandar shapes his +path by a scrupulous estimate of duty.] + +[Footnote 39: "Farrukh" (auspicious) is doubtless the name of some +favorite of the Poet.] + +[Footnote 40: "Hindú" is here equivalent to "slave."] + +[Footnote 41: Zerdusht (in Latin, Zoroaster)--the celebrated prophet of +the Gulbres, or fire-worshippers. Nimrod is said to have practised a +religion, similar to theirs.] + +[Footnote 42: Ád and Thamúd were Arab tribes exterminated by God in +consequence of their having disobeyed the prophet Sálih.] + +[Footnote 43: By a "grain" is meant a grain of wheat; according to +Mohammedans, the forbidden fruit of Paradise.] + +[Footnote 44: Kamál was an Arab whose glance inflicted death.] + +[Footnote 45: "Alif-form," meaning a straight and erect form: the +letter Alif being, as it were, of upright stature.] + +[Footnote 46: "The men who glance" are lovers. The spiritual or true +lover is he who loves God.] + + +END OF VOLUME ONE + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10315 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..55c0e36 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10315 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10315) diff --git a/old/10315-8.txt b/old/10315-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8e89d3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10315-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17467 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Persian Literature, Volume 1,Comprising The +Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan
, by Anonymous, et al + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Persian Literature, Volume 1,Comprising The Shah Nameh, The +Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan
+ +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: November 26, 2003 [eBook #10315] + +Language: English + +Chatacter set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSIAN LITERATURE, VOLUME +1,COMPRISING THE SHAH NAMEH, THE RUBAIYAT, THE DIVAN, AND THE GULISTAN
*** + + +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Karen Lofstrom, Tom Allen, and the +Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +PERSIAN LITERATURE + +comprising + +THE SHH NMEH, THE RUBIYT +THE DIVAN, AND THE GULISTAN + +Revised Edition, Volume 1 + +1909 + +With a special introduction by +RICHARD J. H. GOTTHEIL, Ph.D. + + + + + + + +SPECIAL INTRODUCTION + +A certain amount of romantic interest has always attached to Persia. +With a continuous history stretching back into those dawn-days of +history in which fancy loves to play, the mention of its name brings to +our minds the vision of things beautiful and artistic, the memory of +great deeds and days of chivalry. We seem almost to smell the fragrance +of the rose-gardens of Tus and of Shiraz, and to hear the knight-errants +tell of war and of love. There are other Oriental civilizations, whose +coming and going have not been in vain for the world; they have done +their little bit of apportioned work in the universe, and have done it +well. India and Arabia have had their great poets and their great +heroes, yet they have remained well-nigh unknown to the men and women of +our latter day, even to those whose world is that of letters. But the +names of Firdusi, Sa'di, Omar Khayym, Jami, and Hfiz, have a place in +our own temples of fame. They have won their way into the book-stalls +and stand upon our shelves, side by side with the other books which +mould our life and shape our character. + +Some reason there must be for the special favor which we show to these +products of Persian genius, and for the hold which they have upon us. We +need not go far to find it. The under-current forces, which determine +our own civilization of to-day, are in a general way the same forces +which were at play during the heyday of Persian literary production. We +owe to the Hellenic spirit, which at various times has found its way +into our midst, our love for the beautiful in art and in literature. We +owe to the Semitic, which has been inbreathed into us by religious forms +and beliefs, the tone of our better life, the moral level to which we +aspire. The same two forces were at work in Persia. Even while that +country was purely Irnian, it was always open to Semitic influences. +The welding together of the two civilizations is the true signature of +Persian history. The likeness which is so evident between the religion +of the Avesta, the sacred book of the pre-Mohammedan Persians, and the +religion of the Old and New Testaments, makes it in a sense easy for us +to understand these followers of Zoroaster. Persian poetry, with its +love of life and this-worldliness, with its wealth of imagery and its +appeal to that which is human in all men, is much more readily +comprehended by us than is the poetry of all the rest of the Orient. +And, therefore, Goethe, Platen, Rckert, von Schack, Fitzgerald, and +Arnold have been able to re-sing their masterpieces so as to delight and +instruct our own days--of which thing neither India nor Arabia can +boast. + +Tales of chivalry have always delighted the Persian ear. A certain +inherent gayety of heart, a philosophy which was not so sternly vigorous +as was that of the Semite, lent color to his imagination. It guided the +hands of the skilful workmen in the palaces of Susa and Persepolis, and +fixed the brightly colored tiles upon their walls. It led the deftly +working fingers of their scribes and painters to illuminate their +manuscripts so gorgeously as to strike us with wonder at the assemblage +of hues and the boldness of designs. Their Zoroaster was never deified. +They could think of his own doings and of the deeds of the mighty men of +valor who lived before and after him with very little to hinder the free +play of their fancy. And so this fancy roamed up and down the whole +course of Persian history: taking a long look into the vista of the +past, trying even to lift the veil which hides from mortal sight the +beginnings of all things; intertwining fact with fiction, building its +mansions on earth, and its castles in the air. + +The greatest of all Eastern national epics is the work of a Persian. The +"Shh Nmeh," or Book of Kings, may take its place most worthily by the +side of the Indian Nala, the Homeric Iliad, the German Niebelungen. Its +plan is laid out on a scale worthy of its contents, and its execution is +equally worthy of its planning. One might almost say that with it +neo-Persian literature begins its history. There were poets in Persia +before the writer of the "Shh Nmeh"--Rudagi, the blind (died 954), +Zandshi (950), Chusravani (tenth century). There were great poets during +his own day. But Firdusi ranks far above them all; and at the very +beginning sets up so high a standard that all who come after him must +try to live up to it, or else they will sink into oblivion. + +The times in which Firdusi lived were marked by strange revolutions. The +Arabs, filled with the daring which Mohammed had breathed into them, had +indeed conquered Persia. In A.D. 657, when Merv fell, and the last +Sassanian king, Yezdegird III, met his end, these Arabs became nominally +supreme. Persia had been conquered--but not the Persian spirit. Even +though Turkish speech reigned supreme at court and the Arabic script +became universal, the temper of the old Arsacides and Sassanians still +lived on. It is true that Ormuzd was replaced by Allah, and Ahriman by +Satan. But the Persian had a glorious past of his own; and in this the +conquered was far above the conqueror. This past was kept alive in the +myth-loving mind of this Aryan people; in the songs of its poets and in +the lays of its minstrels. In this way there was, in a measure, a +continuous opposition of Persian to Arab, despite the mingling of the +two in Islam; and the opposition of Persian Shiites to the Sunnites of +the rest of the Mohammedan world at this very day is a curious survival +of racial antipathy. The fall of the only real Arab Mohammedan +dynasty--that of the Umayyid caliphs at Damascus--the rise of the +separate and often opposing dynasties in Spain, Sicily, Egypt, and +Tunis, served to strengthen the Persians in their desire to keep alive +their historical individuality and their ancient traditions. + +Firdusi was not the first, as he was not the only one, to collect the +old epic materials of Persia. In the Avesta itself, with its ancient +traditions, much can be found. More than this was handed down and +bandied about from mouth to mouth. Some of it had even found its way +into the Kalam of the Scribe; to-wit, the "Zarer, or Memorials of the +Warriors" (A.D. 500), the "History of King Ardeshir" (A.D. 600), the +Chronicles of the Persian Kings. If we are to trust Baisonghur's preface +to the "Shh Nmeh," there were various efforts made from time to time +to put together a complete story of the nation's history, by Farruchani, +Ramin, and especially by the Dihkan Danishwar (A.D. 651). The work of +this Danishwar, the "Chodainameh" (Book of Kings), deserves to be +specially singled out. It was written, not in neo-Persian and Arabic +script, but in what scholars call middle-Persian and in what is known as +the Pahlavi writing. It was from this "Chodainameh" that Abu Mansur, +lord of Tus, had a "Shh Nmeh" of his own prepared in the neo-Persian. +And then, to complete the tale, in 980 a certain Zoroastrian whose name +was Dakiki versified a thousand lines of this neo-Persian Book of Kings. + +In this very city of Tus, Abul Kasim Mansur (or Ahmed) Firdusi was born, +A.D. 935. One loves to think that perhaps he got his name from the +Persian-Arabic word for garden; for, verily, it was he that gathered +into one garden all the beautiful flowers which had blossomed in the +fancy of his people. As he has draped the figures in his great epic, so +has an admiring posterity draped his own person. His fortune has been +interwoven with the fame of that Mahmud of Ghazna (998-1030), the first +to bear the proud title of "Sultan," the first to carry Mohammed and the +prophets into India. The Round Table of Mahmud cannot be altogether a +figment of the imagination. With such poets as Farruchi, Unsuri, +Minutsheri, with such scientists as Biruni and Avicenna as intimates, +what wonder that Firdusi was lured by the splendors of a court life! But +before he left his native place he must have finished his epic, at least +in its rough form; for we know that in 999 he dedicated it to Ahmad ibn +Muhammad of Chalandsha. He had been working at it steadily since 971, +but had not yet rounded it out according to the standard which he had +set for himself. Occupying the position almost of a court poet, he +continued to work for Mahmud, and this son of a Turkish slave became a +patron of letters. On February 25, 1010, his work was finished. As poet +laureate, he had inserted many a verse in praise of his master. Yet the +story goes, that though this master had covenanted for a gold dirhem a +line, he sent Firdusi sixty thousand silver ones, which the poet spurned +and distributed as largesses and hied him from so ungenerous a master. + +It is a pretty tale. Yet some great disappointment must have been his +lot, for a lampoon which he wrote a short time afterwards is filled with +the bitterest satire upon the prince whose praises he had sung so +beautifully. Happily, the satire does not seem to have gotten under the +eyes of Mahmud; it was bought off by a friend, for one thousand dirhems +a verse. But Firdusi was a wanderer; we find him in Herat, in +Taberistn, and then at the Buyide Court of Bagdad, where he composed +his "Yusuf and Salikha," a poem as Mohammedan in spirit as the "Shh +Nmeh" was Persian. In 1021, or 1025, he returned to Tus to die, and to +be buried in his own garden--because his mind had not been orthodox +enough that his body should rest in sacred ground. At the last +moment--the story takes up again--Mahmud repented and sent the poet the +coveted gold. The gold arrived at one gate while Firdusi's body was +being carried by at another; and it was spent by his daughter in the +building of a hospice near the city. For the sake of Mahmud let us try +to believe the tale. + +We know much about the genesis of this great epic, the "Shh Nmeh"; far +more than we know about the make-up of the other great epics in the +world's literature. Firdusi worked from written materials; but he +produced no mere labored mosaic. Into it all he has breathed a spirit of +freshness and vividness: whether it be the romance of Alexander the +Great and the exploits of Rustem, or the love scenes of Zl and Rodhale, +of Bezhan and Manezhe, of Gushtsp and Kitayim. That he was also an +excellent lyric poet, Firdusi shows in the beautiful elegy upon the +death of his only son; a curious intermingling of his personal woes with +the history of his heroes. A cheerful vigor runs through it all. He +praises the delights of wine-drinking, and does not despise the comforts +which money can procure. In his descriptive parts, in his scenes of +battle and encounters, he is not often led into the delirium of +extravagance. Sober-minded and free from all fanaticism, he leans not +too much to Zoroaster or to Mohammed, though his desire to idealize his +Irnian heroes leads him to excuse their faith to his readers. And so +these fifty or more thousand verses, written in the Arabic heroic +Mutakarib metre, have remained the delight of the Persians down to this +very day--when the glories of the land have almost altogether departed +and Mahmud himself is all forgotten of his descendants. + +Firdusi introduces us to the greatness of Mahmud of Ghazna's court. Omar +Khayym takes us into its ruins; for one of the friends of his boyhood +days was Nizam al-Mulk, the grandson of that Toghrul the Turk, who with +his Seljuks had supplanted the Persian power. Omar's other friend was +Ibn Sabbah, the "old Man of the Mountain," the founder of the Assassins. +The doings of both worked misery upon Christian Europe, and entailed a +tremendous loss of life during the Crusades. As a sweet revenge, that +same Europe has taken the first of the trio to its bosom, and has made +of Omar Khayym a household friend. "My tomb shall be in a spot where +the north wind may scatter roses" is said to have been one of Omar's +last wishes. He little thought that those very roses from the tomb in +which he was laid to rest in 1123 would, in the nineteenth century, +grace the spot where his greatest modern interpreter--Fitzgerald--lies +buried in the little English town of Woodbridge! + +The author of the famous Quatrains--Omar Ibn Ibrahim al-Khayym--not +himself a tent-maker, but so-called, as are the Smiths of our own +day--was of the city of Nshapr. The invention of the Rubiyt, or +Epigram, is not to his credit. That honor belongs to Abu Said of +Khorasan (968-1049), who used it as a means of expressing his mystic +pantheism. But there is an Omar Khayym club in London--not one bearing +the name of Abu Said. What is the bond which binds the Rubiyt-maker in +far-off Persia to the literati of modern Anglo-Saxondom? + +By his own people Omar was persecuted for his want of orthodoxy; and yet +his grave to this day is held in much honor. By others he was looked +upon as a Mystic. Reading the five hundred or so authentic quatrains one +asks, Which is the real Omar? Is it he who sings of wine and of +pleasure, who seems to preach a life of sensual enjoyment? or is it the +stern preacher, who criticises all, high and low; priest, dervish, and +Mystic--yea, even God himself? I venture to say that the real Omar is +both; or, rather, he is something higher than is adequately expressed in +these two words. The Ecclesiastes of Persia, he was weighed down by the +great questions of life and death and morality, as was he whom people so +wrongly call "the great sceptic of the Bible." The "_Weltschmerz_" was +his, and he fought hard within himself to find that mean way which +philosophers delight in pointing out. If at times Omar does preach +_carpe diem_, if he paint in his exuberant fancy the delights of +carousing, Fitzgerald is right--he bragged more than he drank. The +under-current of a serious view of life runs through all he has written; +the love of the beautiful in nature--a sense of the real worth of +certain things and the worthlessness of the Ego. Resignation to what is +man's evident fate; doing well what every day brings to be done--this is +his own answer. It was Job's--it was that of Ecclesiastes. + +This same "_Weltschmerz_" is ours to-day; therefore Omar Khayym is of +us beloved. He speaks what often we do not dare to speak; one of his +quatrains can be more easily quoted than some of those thoughts can be +formulated. And then he is picturesque--picturesque because he is at +times ambiguous. Omar seems to us to have been so many things--a +believing Moslem, a pantheistic Mystic, an exact scientist (for he +reformed the Persian calendar). Such many-sidedness was possible in +Islam; but it gives him the advantage of appealing to many and different +classes of men; each class will find that he speaks their mind and their +mind only. That Omar was also tainted by Sufism there can be no doubt; +and many of his most daring flights must be regarded as the results of +the greater license which Mystic interpretation gave to its votaries. + +By the side of Firdusi the epic poet, and Omar the philosopher, Sa'di +the wise man, well deserves a place. His countrymen are accustomed to +speak of him simply as "the Sheikh," much more to his real liking than +the titles "The nightingale of the groves of Shiraz," or "The +nightingale of a Thousand Songs," in which Oriental hyperbole expresses +its appreciation. Few leaders and teachers have had the good fortune to +live out their teachings in their own lives as had Sa'di. And that life +was long indeed. Muharrif al-Din Abdallah Sa'di was born at Shiraz in +1184, and far exceeded the natural span of life allotted to man--for he +lived to be one hundred and ten years of age--and much of the time was +lived in days of stress and trouble. The Mongols were devastating in the +East; the Crusaders were fighting in the West. In 1226 Sa'di himself +felt the effects of the one--he was forced to leave Shiraz and grasp the +wanderer's staff, and by the Crusaders he was taken captive and led away +to Tripoli. But just this look into the wide world, this thorough +experience of men and things, produced that serenity of being that gave +him the firm hold upon life which the true teacher must always have. Of +his own spiritual condition and contentment he says: "Never did I +complain of my forlorn condition but on one occasion, when my feet were +bare, and I had not wherewithal to shoe them. Soon after, meeting a man +without feet, I was thankful for the bounty of Providence to myself, and +with perfect resignation submitted to my want of shoes." + +Thus attuned to the world, Sa'di escapes the depths of misanthropy as +well as the transports of unbridled license and somewhat blustering +swagger into which Omar at times fell. In his simplicity of heart he +says very tenderly of his own work;-- + + "We give advice in its proper place, + Spending a lifetime in the task. + If it should not touch any one's ear of desire, + The messenger told his tale; it is enough." + +That tale is a long one. His apprenticeship was spent in Arabic Bagdad, +sitting at the feet of noted scholars, and taking in knowledge not only +of his own Persian Sufism, but also of the science and learning which +had been gathered in the home of the Abbaside Caliphs. His +journeyman-years took him all through the dominions which were under +Arab influence--in Europe, the Barbary States, Egypt, Abyssinia, Arabia, +Syria, Palestine, Asia Minor, India. All these places were visited +before he returned to Shiraz, the "seat of learning," to put to writing +the thoughts which his sympathetic and observing mind had been evolving +during all these years. This time of his mastership was spent in the +seclusion almost of a recluse and in producing the twenty-two works +which have come down to us. An Oriental writer says of these periods of +his life: "The first thirty years of Sa'di's long life were devoted to +study and laying up a stock of knowledge; the next thirty, or perhaps +forty, in treasuring up experience and disseminating that knowledge +during his wide extending travels; and that some portion should +intervene between the business of life and the hour of death (and that +with him chanced to be the largest share of it), he spent the remainder +of his life, or seventy years, in the retirement of a recluse, when he +was exemplary in his temperance and edifying in his piety." + +Of Sa'di's versatility, these twenty-two works give sufficient evidence. +He could write homilies (Risalahs) in a Mystic-religious fashion. He +could compose lyrics in Arabic and Turkish as well as in Persian. He was +even led to give forth erotic verses. Fondly we hope that he did this +last at the command of some patron or ruler! But Sa'di is known to us +chiefly by his didactic works, and for these we cherish him. The +"Bustan," or "Tree-Garden," is the more sober and theoretical, treating +of the various problems and questions of ethics, and filled with Mystic +and Sufic descriptions of love. + +His other didactic work, the "Gulistan," is indeed a "Garden of Roses," +as its name implies; a mirror for every one alike, no matter what his +station in life may be. In prose and in poetry, alternating; in the form +of rare adventures and quaint devices; in accounts of the lives of kings +who have passed away; in maxims and apothegms, Sa'di inculcates his +worldly wisdom--worldly in the better sense of the word. Like Goethe in +our own day, he stood above the world and yet in it; so that while we +feel bound to him by the bonds of a common human frailty, he reaches out +with us to a higher and purer atmosphere. Though his style is often +wonderfully ornate, it is still more sober than that of Hfiz. Sa'di is +known to all readers of Persian in the East; his "Gulistan" is often a +favorite reading-book. + +The heroic and the didactic are, however, not the only forms in which +the genius of Persian poetry loved to clothe itself. From the earliest +times there were poets who sung of love and of wine, of youth and of +nature, with no thought of drawing a moral, or illustrating a tale. From +the times of Rudagi and the Samanide princes (tenth century), these +poets of sentiment sang their songs and charmed the ears of their +hearers. Even Firdusi showed, in some of his minor poems, that joyous +look into and upon the world which is the soul of all lyric poetry. But +of all the Persian lyric poets, Shams al-Din Mohammed Hfiz has been +declared by all to be the greatest. Though the storms of war and the +noise of strife beat all about his country and even disturbed the peace +of his native place--no trace of all this can be found in the poems of +Hfiz--as though he were entirely removed from all that went on about +him, though seeing just the actual things of life. He was, to all +appearance, unconcerned: glad only to live and to sing. At Shiraz he was +born; at Shiraz he died. Only once, it is recorded, did he leave his +native place, to visit the brother of his patron in Yezd. He was soon +back again: travel had no inducement for him. The great world outside +could offer him nothing more than his wonted haunts in Shiraz. It is +further said that he put on the garb of a Dervish; but he was altogether +free of the Dervish's conceit. "The ascetic is the serpent of his age" +is a saying put into his mouth. + +He had in him much that resembled Omar Khayym; but he was not a +philosopher. Therefore, in the East at least, his "Divan" is more +popular than the Quatrains of Omar; his songs are sung where Omar's name +is not heard. He is substantially a man of melody--with much mannerism, +it is true, in his melody--but filling whatever he says with a wealth of +charming imagery and clothing his verse in delicate rhythms. Withal a +man, despite his boisterous gladsomeness and his overflowing joy in what +the present has to offer, in whom there is nothing common, nothing low. +"The Garden of Paradise may be pleasant," he tells us, "but forget not +the shade of the willow-tree and the fair margin of the fruitful field." +He is very human; but his humanity is deeply ethical in character. + +Much more than Omar and Sa'di, Hfiz was a thorough Sufi. "In one and +the same song you write of wine, of Sufism, and of the object of your +affection," is what Shh Shuja said to him once. In fact, we are often +at an entire loss to tell where reality ends and Sufic vacuity +commences. For this Mystic philosophy that we call Sufism patched up a +sort of peace between the old Persian and the conquering Mohammedan. By +using veiled language, by taking all the every-day things of life as +mere symbols of the highest transcendentalism, it was possible to be an +observing Mohammedan in the flesh, whilst the mind wandered in the +realms of pure fantasy and speculation. While enjoying Hfiz, then, and +bathing in his wealth of picture, one is at a loss to tell whether the +bodies he describes are of flesh and blood, or incorporeal ones with a +mystic background; whether the wine of which he sings really runs red, +and the love he describes is really centred upon a mortal being. Yet, +when he says of himself, "Open my grave when I am dead, and thou shalt +see a cloud of smoke rising out from it; then shalt thou know that the +fire still burns in my dead heart--yea, it has set my very winding-sheet +alight," there is a ring of reality in the substance which pierces +through the extravagant imagery. This the Persians themselves have +always felt; and they will not be far from the truth in regarding Hfiz +with a very peculiar affection as the writer who, better than anyone +else, is the poet of their gay moments and the boon companion of their +feasts. + +Firdusi, Omar, Sa'di, Hfiz, are names of which any literature may be +proud. None like unto them rose again in Persia, if we except the great +Jami. At the courts of Shh Abbas the Great (1588-1629) and of Akbar of +India (1556-1605), an attempt to revive Persian letters was indeed made. +But nothing came that could in any measure equal the heyday of the great +poets. The political downfall of Persia has effectually prevented the +coming of another spring and summer. The pride of the land of the Shh +must now rest in its past. + +[Illustration: (Signature of Richard Gottheil)] + +Columbia University, June 11, 1900. + + + +CONTENTS + +THE SHH NMEH + + Introduction + Kaimers + Hsheng + Tahmers + Jemshd + Mirts-Tz, and His Son Zohk + Kavah, the Blacksmith + Feridn + Feridn and His Three Sons + Minchihr + Zl, the Son of Sm + The Dream of Sm + Rdbeh + Death of Minchihr + Nauder + Afrsiyb Marches against Nauder + Afrsiyb + Zau + Garshsp + Kai-Kobd + Kai-Ks + The Seven Labors of Rustem + Invasion of Irn by Afrsiyb + The Return of Kai-Ks + Story of Sohrb + The Story of Saiwush + Kai-Khosru + Akwn Dw + The Story of Byzun and Manjeh + Barz, and His Conflict with Rustem + Ssen and Afrsiyb + The Expedition of Gdarz + The Death of Afrsiyb + The Death of Kai-Khosru + Lohursp + Gushtsp, and the Faith of Zerdusht + The Heft-Khan of Isfendiyr + Capture of the Brazen Fortress + The Death of Isfendiyr + The Death of Rustem + Bahman + Hma and the Birth of Drb + Drb and Dr + Sikander + Firdusi's Invocation + Firdusi's Satire on Mahmud + +THE RUBIYT + + Introduction + Omar Khayym + The Rubiyt + +THE DIVAN + + Introduction + Fragment by Hfiz + The Divan + + + + + + +THE SHH NMEH + +by + +FIRDUSI + +(_Abul Kasim Mansur_) + +[_Translated into English by James Atkinson_] + + + +The system of Sir William Jones in the printing of Oriental words has +been kept in view in the following work, viz.: The letter _a_ represents +the short vowel as in _bat, _ with an accent the broad sound of _a_ in +_hall, i_ as in _lily, _ with an accent as in _police, u_ as in _bull, +_ with an accent as in _rude, _ with an accent as _o_ in _pole_, the +diphthong _ai_ as in _aisle, au_ as in the German word _kraut_ or _ou_ +in _house_. + + + +INTRODUCTION + +When Sir John Lubbock, in the list of a hundred books which he +published, in the year 1886, as containing the best hundred worth +reading, mentioned the "Shh Nmeh" or "Book of Kings," written by the +Persian poet Firdusi, it is doubtful whether many of his readers had +even heard of such a poem or of its author. Yet Firdusi, "The Poet of +Paradise" (for such is the meaning of this pen-name), is as much the +national poet of Persia as Dante is of Italy or Shakespeare of England. +Abul Kasim Mansur is indeed a genuine epic poet, and for this reason his +work is of genuine interest to the lovers of Homer, Vergil, and Dante. +The qualities that go to make up an epic poem are all to be found in +this work of the Persian bard. In the first place, the "Shh Nmeh" is +written by an enthusiastic patriot, who glorifies his country, and by +that means has become recognized as the national poet of Persia. In the +second place, the poem presents us with a complete view of a certain +definite phase, and complete era of civilization; in other words, it is +a transcript from the life; a portrait-gallery of distinct and unique +individuals; a description of what was once an actual society. We find +in it delineated the Persia of the heroic age, an age of chivalry, +eclipsing, in romantic emotion, deeds of daring, scenes of love and +violence, even the mediaeval chivalry of France and Spain. Again, this +poem deals principally with the adventures of one man. For all other +parts of the work are but accessories to the single figure of Rustem, +the heroic personage whose superhuman strength, dignity, and beauty make +him to be a veritable Persian Achilles. But when we regard the details +of this work we see how deeply the literary posterity of Homer are +indebted to the Father of European Poetry. The fantastic crowd of +demons, peris, and necromancers that appear as the supernatural +machinery of the Shh Nmeh, such grotesque fancies as the serpents that +grew from the shoulders of King Zohk, or the ladder of Zerdusht, on +which he mounted from earth to heaven--all these and a hundred other +fancies compare unfavorably with the reserve of Homer, in his use of +such a personage as Circe, and the human grace and dignity which he +lends to that genial circle on Olympus, whose inextinguishable laughter +is called forth by the halting wine-bearer a god like themselves. While +we read the "Shh Nmeh" with keen interest, because from its study the +mind is enlarged and stimulated by new scenes, new ideas and +unprecedented situations, we feel grateful that the battle of Salamis +stopped the Persian invasion of Europe, which would doubtless have +resulted in changing the current of literature from that orderly and +stately course which it had taken from its fountain in a Greek +Parnassus, and diverted it into the thousand brawling rills of Persian +fancy and exaggeration. + +It is a hundred years ago that a certain physician in the employment of +the East India Company, who then represented British supremacy in Bengal +and Calcutta, published the "Story of Sohrab," a poem in heroic +couplets, being a translation of the most pathetic episode in the "Shh +Nmeh." If we compare this English poem with Jules Mohl's literal +translation of the Persian epic into French, we find that James Atkinson +stands very much in the same relation to Firdusi as Pope does to Homer. +It would be indeed absurd for an English writer to attempt to conform, +in an English version, to the vagaries of Persian idiom, or even to +attempt a literal rendering of the Persian trope. The manner of a poet +can never be faithfully reproduced in a translation, but all that is +really valuable, really affecting, in an epic poem will survive +transfusion into the frank and natural idiom of another tongue. We say +epic poem, because one of the distinguishing features in this form of +literary expression is that its action hinges on those fundamental +passions of humanity, that "touch which makes the whole world kin," +whose alphabet is the same in every latitude. The publication of +"Sohrab" was nevertheless the revelation of a new world to London +coteries, and the influence of Mr. Atkinson's work can be traced as well +in the Persian pastorals of Collins as in the oriental poems of Southey +and Moore. This metrical version of "Sohrab" is the only complete +episode of the Shh Nmeh contained in the present collection. When we +consider that the Persian original consists of some one hundred and +twenty thousand lines, it will easily be understood that a literal +rendering of the whole would make a volume whose bulk would put it far +out of reach to the general reader. Atkinson has very wisely furnished +us with a masterly _rsum_ of the chief episodes, each of which he +outlines in prose, occasionally flashing out into passages of sparkling +verse, which run through the narrative like golden threads woven into +the tissue of some storied tapestry. The literary style of the +translator is admirable. Sometimes, as when he describes the tent of +Manjeh, he becomes as simple and direct as Homer in depicting the +palace of Alcinous. The language of his Sohrab recalls the pathos of +Vergil's Nisus and Euryalus, and the paternal love and despair of +Dante's Ugolino. But in Rustem the tears of anguish and sorrow seem to +vanish like morning dew, in the excitement of fresh adventure, and human +feeling, as depicted by Firdusi, lacks not only the refined gradations, +but also the intensity, which we see in the Florentine poet. Atkinson's +versification is rather that of Queen Anne's time than what we of the +Victorian age profess to admire in Browning and Tennyson. But it is one +of the chief praises of Tennyson that he has treated Sir Thomas Malory +very much in the same way as Mr. Atkinson has treated Abul Kasim Mansur, +by bringing the essential features of an extinct society within the +range of modern vision, and into touch with modern sympathies. All that +is of value in Firdusi, to the reader of to-day, will be found in this +version of Atkinson, while the philologist or the antiquarian can +satisfy their curiosity either in the original, or in the French +versions whose fidelity is above suspicion. For it is bare justice to +say that James Atkinson's Firdusi is one of those translations, even +though it be at the same time an abridgment, which have taken their +place in the rank of British classics. It is the highest praise that can +be given to a work of this character to say that it may be placed on the +bookshelf side by side with Jeremy Collier's "Marcus Aurelius," Leland's +"Demosthenes," and the "Montaigne" of Charles Cotton. It embalms the +genuine spirit and life of an Oriental poem in the simple yet tasteful +form of English narrative. The blending of verse and prose is a happy +expedient. If we may use the metaphor of Horace, we should say, that Mr. +Atkinson alternately trudges along on foot, and rises on the wings of +verse into the upper air. The reader follows with pleasure both his +march and his flight, and reaches the end of the volume with the +distinct impression that he has been reading a Persian poem, and all the +while forgotten that it was written in the English language. + +E.W. + + + +THE SHH NMEH + + + +KAIMERS + +According to the traditions of former ages, recorded in the +Bastan-nmeh, the first person who established a code of laws and +exercised the functions of a monarch in Persia, was Kaimers. It is said +that he dwelt among the mountains, and that his garments were made of +the skins of beasts. + + His reign was thirty years, and o'er the earth + He spread the blessings of paternal sway; + Wild animals, obsequious to his will, + Assembled round his throne, and did him homage. + He had a son named Saimuk, a youth + Of lovely form and countenance, in war + Brave and accomplished, and the dear delight + Of his fond father, who adored the boy, + And only dreaded to be parted from him. + So is it ever with the world--the parent + Still doating on his offspring. Kaimers + Had not a foe, save one, a hideous Demon, + Who viewed his power with envy, and aspired + To work his ruin. He, too, had a son, + Fierce as a wolf, whose days were dark and bitter, + Because the favoring heavens in kinder mood + Smiled on the monarch and his gallant heir. + --When Saimuk first heard the Demon's aim + Was to o'erthrow his father and himself, + Surprise and indignation filled his heart, + And speedily a martial force he raised, + To punish the invader. Proudly garbed + In leopard's skin, he hastened to the war; + But when the combatants, with eager mien, + Impatient met upon the battle-field. + And both together tried their utmost strength, + Down from his enemy's dragon-grasp soon fell + The luckless son of royal Kaimers, + Vanquished and lifeless. Sad, unhappy fate! + +Disheartened by this disastrous event, the army immediately retreated, +and returned to Kaimers, who wept bitterly for the loss of his son, and +continued a long time inconsolable. But after a year had elapsed a +mysterious voice addressed him, saying:--"Be patient, and despair +not--thou hast only to send another army against the Demons, and the +triumph and the victory will be thine. + + "Drive from the earth that Demon horrible, + And sorrow will be rooted from thy heart." + +Saimuk left a son whose name was Hsheng, whom the king loved much more +even than his father. + + Hsheng his name. There seemed in him combined, + Knowledge and goodness eminent. To him + Was given his father's dignity and station. + And the old man, his grandsire, scarcely deigned + To look upon another, his affection + For him was so unbounded. + +Kaimers having appointed Hsheng the leader of the army, the young hero +set out with an immense body of troops to engage the Demon and his son. +It is said that at that time every species of animal, wild and tame, was +obedient to his command. + + The savage beasts, and those of gentler kind, + Alike reposed before him, and appeared + To do him homage. + +The wolf, the tiger, the lion, the panther, and even the fowls of the +air, assembled in aid of him, and he, by the blessing of God, slew the +Demon and his offspring with his own hand. After which the army of +Kaimers, and the devouring animals that accompanied him in his march, +defeated and tore to pieces the scattered legions of the enemy. Upon the +death of Kaimers Hsheng ascended the throne of Persia. + + + +HSHENG + +It is recorded that Hsheng was the first who brought out fire from +stone, and from that circumstance he founded the religion of the +Fire-worshippers, calling the flame which was produced, the Light of the +Divinity. The accidental discovery of this element is thus described:-- + + Passing, one day, towards the mountain's side, + Attended by his train, surprised he saw + Something in aspect terrible--its eyes + Fountains of blood; its dreadful mouth sent forth + Volumes of smoke that darkened all the air. + Fixing his gaze upon that hideous form, + He seized a stone, and with prodigious force + Hurling it, chanced to strike a jutting rock, + Whence sparks arose, and presently a fire + O'erspread the plain, in which the monster perished. + --Thus Hsheng found the element which shed + Light through the world. The monarch prostrate bowed, + Praising the great Creator, for the good + Bestowed on man, and, pious, then he said, + "This is the Light from Heaven, sent down from God; + If ye be wise, adore and worship it!" + +It is also related that, in the evening of the day on which the luminous +flash appeared to him from the stone, he lighted an immense fire, and, +having made a royal entertainment, he called it the Festival of Siddeh. +By him the art of the blacksmith was discovered, and he taught river and +streamlet to supply the towns, and irrigate the fields for the purposes +of cultivation. And he also brought into use the fur of the sable, and +the squirrel, and the ermine. Before his time mankind had nothing for +food but fruit, and the leaves of trees and the skins of animals for +clothing. He introduced, and taught his people, the method of making +bread, and the art of cookery. + + Then ate they their own bread, for it was good, + And they were grateful to their benefactor; + Mild laws were framed--the very land rejoiced, + Smiling with cultivation; all the world + Remembering Hsheng's virtues. + +The period of his government is said to have lasted forty years, and he +was succeeded by his son, Tahmers. + + + +TAHMERS + +This sovereign was also called Dw-bund, or the Binder of Demons. He +assembled together all the wise men in his dominions, to consider and +deliberate upon whatever might be of utility and advantage to the people +of God. In his days wool was spun and woven, and garments and carpets +manufactured, and various animals, such as panthers, falcons, hawks, and +syagoshes, were tamed, and taught to assist in the sports of the field. +Tahmers had also a vizir, renowned for his wisdom and understanding. +Having one day charmed a Demon into his power by philters and magic, he +conveyed him to Tahmers; upon which, the brethren and allies of the +prisoner, feeling ashamed and degraded by the insult, collected an army, +and went to war against the king. Tahmers was equally in wrath when he +heard of these hostile proceedings, and having also gathered together an +army on his part, presented himself before the enemy. The name of the +leader of the Demons was Gh. On one side the force consisted of fire, +and smoke, and Demons; on the other, brave and magnanimous warriors. +Tahmers lifted his mace, as soon as he was opposed to the enemy, and +giving Gh a blow on the head, killed him on the spot. The other Demons +being taken prisoners, he ordered them to be destroyed; but they +petitioned for mercy, promising, if their lives were spared, that they +would teach him a wonderful art. Tahmers assented, and they immediately +brought their books, and pens and ink, and instructed him how to read +and write. + + They taught him letters, and his eager mind + With learning was illumined. The world was blest + With quiet and repose, Peris and Demons + Submitting to his will. + +The reign of Tahmers lasted thirty years, and after him the monarchy +descended to Jemshd, his son. + + + +JEMSHD + +Jemshd was eminently distinguished for learning and wisdom. It is said +that coats of mail, cuirasses, and swords and various kinds of armor +were invented and manufactured in his time, and also that garments of +silk were made and worn by his people. + + Helmets and swords, with curious art they made, + Guided by Jemshd's skill; and silks and linen + And robes of fur and ermine. Desert lands + Were cultivated; and wherever stream + Or rivulet wandered, and the soil was good, + He fixed the habitations of his people; + And there they ploughed and reaped: for in that age + All labored; none in sloth and idleness + Were suffered to remain, since indolence + Too often vanquishes the best, and turns + To nought the noblest, firmest resolution. + +Jemshd afterwards commanded his Demons to construct a splendid palace, +and he directed his people how to make the foundations strong. + + He taught the unholy Demon-train to mingle + Water and clay, with which, formed into bricks, + The walls were built, and then high turrets, towers, + And balconies, and roofs to keep out rain + And cold, and sunshine. Every art was known + To Jemshd, without equal in the world. + +He also made vessels for the sea and the river, and erected a +magnificent throne, embellished with pearls and precious stones; and +having seated himself upon it, commanded his Demons to raise him up in +the air, that he might be able to transport himself in a moment wherever +he chose. He named the first day of the year _N-rz_ and on every +_N-rz_ he made a royal feast, so that under his hospitable roof, +mortals, and Genii, and Demons, and Peris, were delighted and happy, +every one being equally regaled with wine and music. His government is +said to have continued in existence seven hundred years, and during that +period, it is added, none of his subjects suffered death, or was +afflicted with disease. + + Man seemed immortal, sickness was unknown, + And life rolled on in happiness and joy. + +After the lapse of seven hundred years, however, inordinate ambition +inflamed the heart of Jemshd, and, having assembled all the illustrious +personages and learned men in his dominions before him, he said to +them:--"Tell me if there exists, or ever existed, in all the world, a +king of such magnificence and power as I am?" They unanimously +replied:--"Thou art alone, the mightiest, the most victorious: there is +no equal to thee!" The just God beheld this foolish pride and vanity +with displeasure, and, as a punishment, cast him from the government of +an empire into a state of utter degradation and misery. + + All looked upon the throne, and heard and saw + Nothing but Jemshd, he alone was king, + Absorbing every thought; and in their praise, + And adoration of that mortal man, + Forgot the worship of the great Creator. + Then proudly thus he to his nobles spoke, + Intoxicated with their loud applause, + "I am unequalled, for to me the earth + Owes all its science, never did exist + A sovereignty like mine, beneficent + And glorious, driving from the populous land + Disease and want. Domestic joy and rest + Proceed from me, all that is good and great + Waits my behest; the universal voice + Declares the splendor of my government, + Beyond whatever human heart conceived, + And me the only monarch of the world." + --Soon as these words had parted from his lips, + Words impious, and insulting to high heaven, + His earthly grandeur faded--then all tongues + Grew clamorous and bold. The day of Jemshd + Passed into gloom, his brightness all obscured. + What said the Moralist? "When thou wert a king + Thy subjects were obedient, but whoever + Proudly neglects the worship of his God, + Brings desolation on his house and home." + --And when he marked the insolence of his people, + He knew the wrath of Heaven had been provoked, + And terror overcame him. + + + +MIRTS-TZ, AND HIS SON ZOHK + +The old historians relate that Mirts was the name of a king of the +Arabs; and that he had a thousand animals which gave milk, and the milk +of these animals he always distributed in charity among the poor. God +was pleased with his goodness, and accordingly increased his favor upon +him. + + Goats, sheep, and camels, yielded up their store + Of balmy milk, with which the generous king + Nourished the indigent and helpless poor. + +Mirts had a son called Zohk, who possessed ten thousand Arab horses, +or Tazs, upon which account he was surnamed Bwurasp; biwur meaning ten +thousand, and asp a horse. One day Ibls, the Evil Spirit, appeared to +Zohk in the disguise of a good and virtuous man, and conversed with him +in the most agreeable manner. + + Pleased with his eloquence, the youth + Suspected not the speaker's truth; + But praised the sweet impassioned strain, + And asked him to discourse again. + +Ibls replied, that he was master of still sweeter converse, +but he could not address it to him, unless he first entered into +a solemn compact, and engaged never on any pretence to divulge +his secret. + + Zohk in perfect innocence of heart + Assented to the oath, and bound himself + Never to tell the secret; all he wished + Was still to hear the good man's honey words. + +But as soon as the oath was taken, Ibls said to him: "Thy father has +become old and worthless, and thou art young, and wise, and valiant. Let +him no longer stand in thy way, but kill him; the robes of sovereignty +are ready, and better adapted for thee." + + The youth in agony of mind, + Heard what the stranger now designed; + Could crime like this be understood! + The shedding of a parent's blood! + Ibls would no excuses hear-- + The oath was sworn--his death was near. + "For if thou think'st to pass it by, + The peril's thine, and thou must die!" + +Zohk was terrified and subdued by this warning, and asked Ibls in what +manner he proposed to sacrifice his father. Ibls replied, that he would +dig a pit on the path-way which led to Mirts-Tzi's house of prayer. +Accordingly he secretly made a deep well upon the spot most convenient +for the purpose, and covered it over with grass. At night, as the king +was going, as usual, to the house of prayer, he fell into the pit, and +his legs and arms being broken by the fall, he shortly expired. O +righteous Heaven! that father too, whose tenderness would not suffer +even the winds to blow upon his son too roughly--and that son, by the +temptation of Ibls, to bring such a father to a miserable end! + + Thus urged to crime, through cruel treachery, + Zohk usurped his pious father's throne. + +When Ibls found that he had got Zohk completely in his power, he told +him that, if he followed his counsel and advice implicitly, he would +become the greatest monarch of the age, the sovereign of the seven +climes, signifying the whole world. Zohk agreed to every thing, and +Ibls continued to bestow upon him the most devoted attention and +flattery for the purpose of moulding him entirely to his will. To such +an extreme degree had his authority attained, that he became the sole +director even in the royal kitchen, and prepared for Zohk the most +delicious and savory food imaginable; for in those days bread and fruit +only were the usual articles of food. Ibls himself was the original +inventor of the cooking art. Zohk was delighted with the dishes, made +from every variety of bird and four-footed animal. Every day something +new and rare was brought to his table, and every day Ibls increased in +favor. But an egg was to him the most delicate of all! "What can there +be superior to this?" said he. "To-morrow," replied Ibls, "thou shalt +have something better, and of a far superior kind." + + Next day he brought delicious fare, and dressed + In manner exquisite to please the eye, + As well as taste; partridge and pheasant rich, + A banquet for a prince. Zohk beheld + Delighted the repast, and eagerly + Relished its flavor; then in gratitude, + And admiration of the matchless art + Which thus had ministered to his appetite, + He cried:--"For this, whatever thou desirest, + And I can give, is thine." Ibls was glad, + And, little anxious, had but one request-- + One unimportant wish--it was to kiss + The monarch's naked shoulder--a mere whim. + And promptly did Zohk comply, for he + Was unsuspicious still, and stripped himself, + Ready to gratify that simple wish. + + Ibls then kissed the part with fiendish glee, + And vanished in an instant. + + From the touch + Sprang two black serpents! Then a tumult rose + Among the people, searching for Ibls + Through all the palace, but they sought in vain. + + To young and old it was a marvellous thing; + The serpents writhed about as seeking food, + And learned men to see the wonder came, + And sage magicians tried to charm away + That dreadful evil, but no cure was found. + +Some time afterwards Ibls returned to Zohk, but in the shape of a +physician, and told him that it was according to his own horoscope that +he suffered in this manner--it was, in short, his destiny--and that the +serpents would continue connected with him throughout his life, +involving him in perpetual misery. Zohk sunk into despair, upon the +assurance of there being no remedy for him, but Ibls again roused him +by saying, that if the serpents were fed daily with human brains, which +would probably kill them, his life might be prolonged, and made easy. + + If life has any charm for thee, + The brain of man their food must be! + +With the adoption of this deceitful stratagem, Ibls was highly pleased, +and congratulated himself upon the success of his wicked exertions, +thinking that in this manner a great portion of the human race would be +destroyed. He was not aware that his craft and cunning had no influence +in the house of God; and that the descendants of Adam are continually +increasing. + +When the people of Irn and Trn heard that Zohk kept near him two +devouring serpents, alarm and terror spread everywhere, and so universal +was the dread produced by this intelligence, that the nobles of Persia +were induced to abandon their allegiance to Jemshd, and, turning +through fear to Zohk, confederated with the Arab troops against their +own country. Jemshd continued for some time to resist their efforts, +but was at last defeated, and became a wanderer on the face of the +earth. + + To him existence was a burden now, + The world a desert--for Zohk had gained + The imperial crown, and from all acts and deeds + Of royal import, razed out the very name + Of Jemshd hateful in the tyrant's eyes. + +The Persian government having fallen into the hands of the usurper, he +sent his spies in every direction for the purpose of getting possession +of Jemshd wherever he might be found, but their labor was not crowned +with success. The unfortunate wanderer, after experiencing numberless +misfortunes, at length took refuge in Zbulistn. + + Flying from place to place, through wilderness, + Wide plain, and mountain, veiled from human eye, + Hungry and worn out with fatigue and sorrow, + He came to Zbul. + +The king of Zbulistn, whose name was Greng, had a daughter of extreme +beauty. She was also remarkable for her mental endowments, and was +familiar with warlike exercises. + + So graceful in her movements, and so sweet, + Her very look plucked from the breast of age + The root of sorrow--her wine-sipping lips, + And mouth like sugar, cheeks all dimpled o'er + With smiles, and glowing as the summer rose-- + Won every heart. + +This damsel, possessed of these beauties and charms, was accustomed to +dress herself in the warlike habiliments of a man, and to combat with +heroes. She was then only fifteen years of age, but so accomplished in +valor, judgment, and discretion, that Minchihr, who had in that year +commenced hostile operations against her father, was compelled to +relinquish his pretensions, and submit to the gallantry which she +displayed on that occasion. Her father's realm was saved by her +magnanimity. Many kings were her suitors, but Greng would not give his +consent to her marriage with any of them. He only agreed that she should +marry the sovereign whom she might spontaneously love. + + It must be love, and love alone,[1] + That binds thee to another's throne; + In this my father has no voice, + Thine the election, thine the choice. + +The daughter of Greng had a Kbul woman for her nurse, who was deeply +skilled in all sorts of magic and sorcery. + + The old enchantress well could say, + What would befall on distant day; + And by her art omnipotent, + Could from the watery element + Draw fire, and with her magic breath, + Seal up a dragon's eyes in death. + Could from the flint-stone conjure dew; + The moon and seven stars she knew; + And of all things invisible + To human sight, this crone could tell. + +This Kbul sorceress had long before intimated to the damsel that, +conformably with her destiny, which had been distinctly ascertained from +the motions of the heavenly bodies, she would, after a certain time, be +married to King Jemshd, and bear him a beautiful son. The damsel was +overjoyed at these tidings, and her father received them with equal +pleasure, refusing in consequence the solicitations of every other +suitor. Now according to the prophecy, Jemshd arrived at the city of +Zbul in the spring season, when the roses were in bloom; and it so +happened that the garden of King Greng was in the way, and also that +his daughter was amusing herself at the time in the garden. Jemshd +proceeded in that direction, but the keepers of the garden would not +allow him to pass, and therefore, fatigued and dispirited, he sat down +by the garden-door under the shade of a tree. Whilst he was sitting +there a slave-girl chanced to come out of the garden, and, observing +him, was surprised at his melancholy and forlorn condition. She said to +him involuntarily: "Who art thou?" and Jemshd raising up his eyes, +replied:--"I was once possessed of wealth and lived in great affluence, +but I am now abandoned by fortune, and have come from a distant country. +Would to heaven I could be blessed with a few cups of wine, my fatigue +and affliction might then be relieved." The girl smiled, and returned +hastily to the princess, and told her that a young man, wearied with +travelling, was sitting at the garden gate, whose countenance was more +lovely even than that of her mistress, and who requested to have a few +cups of wine. When the damsel heard such high praise of the stranger's +features she was exceedingly pleased, and said: "He asks only for wine, +but I will give him both wine and music, and a beautiful mistress +beside." + + This saying, she repaired towards the gate, + In motion graceful as the waving cypress, + Attended by her hand-maid; seeing him, + She thought he was a warrior of Irn + With spreading shoulders, and his loins well bound. + His visage pale as the pomegranate flower, + He looked like light in darkness. Warm emotions + Rose in her heart, and softly thus she spoke: + "Grief-broken stranger, rest thee underneath + These shady bowers; if wine can make thee glad, + Enter this pleasant place, and drink thy fill." + +Whilst the damsel was still speaking and inviting Jemshd into the +garden, he looked at her thoughtfully, and hesitated; and she said to +him: "Why do you hesitate? I am permitted by my father to do what I +please, and my heart is my own. + + "Stranger, my father is the monarch mild + Of Zbulistn, and I his only child; + On me is all his fond affection shown; + My wish is his, on me he dotes alone." + +Jemshd had before heard of the character and renown of this +extraordinary damsel, yet he was not disposed to comply with her +entreaty; but contemplating again her lovely face, his heart became +enamoured, when she took him by the hand and led him along the beautiful +walks. + + With dignity and elegance she passed-- + As moves the mountain partridge through the meads; + Her tresses richly falling to her feet, + And filling with perfume the softened breeze. + +In their promenade they arrived at the basin of a fountain, near which +they seated themselves upon royal carpets, and the damsel having placed +Jemshd in such a manner that they might face each other, she called for +music and wine. + + But first the rose-cheeked handmaids gathered round, + And washed obsequiously the stranger's feet; + Then on the margin of the silvery lake + Attentive sate. + +The youth, after this, readily took the wine and refreshments which were +ordered by the princess. + + Three cups he drank with eager zest, + Three cups of ruby wine; + Which banished sorrow from his breast, + For memory left no sign + Of past affliction; not a trace + Remained upon his heart, or smiling face. + +Whilst he was drinking, the princess observed his peculiar action and +elegance of manner, and instantly said in her heart: "This must be a +king!" She then offered him some more food, as he had come a long +journey, and from a distant land, but he only asked for more wine. "Is +your fondness for wine so great?" said she. And he replied: "With wine I +have no enemy; yet, without it I can be resigned and contented. + + "Whilst drinking wine I never see + The frowning face of my enemy; + Drink freely of the grape, and nought + Can give the soul one mournful thought; + Wine is a bride of witching power, + And wisdom is her marriage dower; + Wine can the purest joy impart, + Wine inspires the saddest heart; + Wine gives cowards valour's rage, + Wine gives youth to tottering age; + Wine gives vigour to the weak, + And crimson to the pallid cheek; + And dries up sorrow, as the sun + Absorbs the dew it shines upon." + +From the voice and eloquence of the speaker she now conjectured that +this certainly must be King Jemshd, and she felt satisfied that her +notions would soon be realized. At this moment she recollected that +there was a picture of Jemshd in her father's gallery, and thought of +sending for it to compare the features; but again she considered that +the person before her was certainly and truly Jemshd, and that the +picture would be unnecessary on the occasion. + +It is said that two ring-doves, a male and female, happened to alight on +the garden wall near the fountain where they were sitting, and began +billing and cooing in amorous play, so that seeing them together in such +soft intercourse, blushes overspread the cheeks of the princess, who +immediately called for her bow and arrows. When they were brought she +said to Jemshd, "Point out which of them I shall hit, and I will bring +it to the ground." Jemshd replied: "Where a man is, a woman's aid is +not required--give me the bow, and mark my skill; + + "However brave a woman may appear, + Whatever strength of arm she may possess, + She is but half a man!" + +Upon this observation being made, the damsel turned her head aside +ashamed, and gave him the bow. Her heart was full of love. Jemshd took +the bow, and selecting a feathered arrow out of her hand, said:--"Now +for a wager. If I hit the female, shall the lady whom I most admire in +this company be mine?" The damsel assented. Jemshd drew the string, and +the arrow struck the female dove so skilfully as to transfix both the +wings, and pin them together. The male ring-dove flew away, but moved by +natural affection it soon returned, and settled on the same spot as +before. The bow was said to be so strong that there was not a warrior in +the whole kingdom who could even draw the string; and when the damsel +witnessed the dexterity of the stranger, and the ease with which he used +the weapon, she thought within her heart, "There can be no necessity for +the picture; I am certain that this can be no other than the King +Jemshd, the son of Tahmers, called the Binder of Demons." Then she +took the bow from the hand of Jemshd, and observed: "The male bird has +returned to its former place, if my aim be successful shall the man whom +I choose in this company be my husband?" Jemshd instantly understood +her meaning. At that moment the Kbul nurse appeared, and the young +princess communicated to her all that had occurred. The nurse leisurely +examined Jemshd from head to foot with a slave-purchaser's eye, and +knew him, and said to her mistress--"All that I saw in thy horoscope and +foretold, is now in the course of fulfilment. God has brought Jemshd +hither to be thy spouse. Be not regardless of thy good fortune, and the +Almighty will bless thee with a son, who will be the conqueror of the +world. The signs and tokens of thy destiny I have already explained." +The damsel had become greatly enamoured of the person of the stranger +before she knew who he was, and now being told by her nurse that he was +Jemshd himself, her affection was augmented twofold. + + The happy tidings, blissful to her heart, + Increased the ardour of her love for him. + +And now the picture was brought to the princess, who, finding the +resemblance exact, put it into Jemshd's hand. Jemshd, in secretly +recognizing his own likeness, was forcibly reminded of his past glory +and happiness, and he burst into tears. + + The memory of the diadem and throne + No longer his, came o'er him, and his soul + Was rent with anguish. + +The princess said to him: "Why at the commencement of our friendship +dost thou weep? Art thou discontented--dissatisfied, unhappy? and am I +the cause?" Jemshd replied: "No, it is simply this; those who have +feeling, and pity the sufferings of others, weep involuntarily. I pity +the misfortunes of Jemshd, driven as he is by adversity from the +splendor of a throne, and reduced to a state of destitution and ruin. +But he must now be dead; devoured, perhaps, by the wolves and lions of +the forest." The nurse and princess, however, were convinced, from the +sweetness of his voice and discourse, that he could be no other than +Jemshd himself, and taking him aside, they said: "Speak truly, art thou +not Jemshd?" But he denied himself. Again, they observed: "What says +this picture?" To this he replied; "It is not impossible that I may be +like Jemshd in feature; for surely there may be in the world two men +like each other?" And notwithstanding all the efforts made by the damsel +and her nurse to induce Jemshd to confess, he still resolutely denied +himself. Several times she assured him she would keep his secret, if he +had one, but that she was certain of his being Jemshd. Still he denied +himself. "This nurse of mine, whom thou seest," said she, "has often +repeated to me the good tidings that I should be united to Jemshd, and +bear him a son. My heart instinctively acknowledged thee at first sight: +then wherefore this denial of the truth? Many kings have solicited my +hand in marriage, but all have been rejected, as I am destined to be +thine, and united to no other." Dismissing now all her attendants, she +remained with the nurse and Jemshd, and then resumed:-- + + "How long hath sleep forsaken me? how long + Hath my fond heart been kept awake by love? + Hope still upheld me--give me one kind look, + And I will sacrifice my life for thee; + Come, take my life, for it is thine for ever." + +Saying this, the damsel began to weep, and shedding a flood of tears, +tenderly reproached him for not acknowledging the truth. Jemshd was at +length moved by her affection and sorrow, and thus addressed +her:--"There are two considerations which at present prevent the truth +being told. One of them is my having a powerful enemy, and Heaven forbid +that he should obtain information of my place of refuge. The other is, I +never intrust my secrets to a woman! + + "Fortune I dread, since fortune is my foe, + And womankind are seldom known to keep + Another's secret. To be poor and safe, + Is better far than wealth exposed to peril." + To this the princess: "Is it so decreed, + That every woman has two tongues, two hearts? + All false alike, their tempers all the same? + No, no! could I disloyally betray thee? + I who still love thee better than my life?" + +Jemshd found it impossible to resist the damsel's incessant entreaties +and persuasive tenderness, mingled as they were with tears of sorrow. +Vanquished thus by the warmth of her affections, he told her his name, +and the history of his misfortunes. She then ardently seized his hand, +overjoyed at the disclosure, and taking him privately to her own +chamber, they were married according to the customs of her country. + + Him to the secret bower with blushing cheek + Exultingly she led, and mutual bliss, + Springing from mutual tenderness and love, + Entranced their souls. + +When Greng the king found that his daughter's visits to him became less +frequent than usual, he set his spies to work, and was not long in +ascertaining the cause of her continued absence. She had married without +his permission, and he was in great wrath. It happened, too, at this +time that the bride was pale and in delicate health. + + The mystery soon was manifest, + And thus the king his child addrest, + Whilst anger darkened o'er his brow:-- + "What hast thou done, ungrateful, now? + Why hast thou flung, in evil day, + The veil of modesty away? + That cheek the bloom of spring displayed, + Now all is withered, all decayed; + But daughters, as the wise declare, + Are ever false, if they be fair." + + Incensed at words so sharp and strong, + The damsel thus repelled the wrong:-- + "Me, father, canst thou justly blame? + I never, never, brought thee shame; + With me can sin and crime accord, + When Jemshd is my wedded lord?" + +After this precipitate avowal, the Kbul nurse, of many spells, +instantly took up her defence, and informed the king that the prophecy +she had formerly communicated to him was on the point of fulfilment, and +that the Almighty having, in the course of destiny, brought Jemshd into +his kingdom, the princess, according to the same planetary influence, +would shortly become a mother. + + And now the damsel grovels on the ground + Before King Greng. "Well thou know'st," she cries, + "From me no evil comes. Whether in arms, + Or at the banquet, honour guides me still: + And well thou know'st thy royal will pronounced + That I should be unfettered in my choice, + And free to take the husband I preferred. + This I have done; and to the greatest king + The world can boast, my fortunes are united, + To Jemshd, the most perfect of mankind." + +With this explanation the king expressed abundant and unusual +satisfaction. His satisfaction, however, did not arise from the +circumstance of the marriage, and the new connection it established, but +from the opportunity it afforded him of betraying Jemshd, and +treacherously sending him bound to Zohk, which he intended to do, in +the hopes of being magnificently rewarded. Exulting with this +anticipation, he said to her smiling:-- + + "Glad tidings thou hast given to me, + My glory owes its birth to thee; + I bless the day, and bless the hour, + Which placed this Jemshd in my power. + Now to Zohk, a captive bound, + I send the wanderer thou hast found; + For he who charms the monarch's eyes, + With this long-sought, this noble prize, + On solemn word and oath, obtains + A wealthy kingdom for his pains." + +On hearing these cruel words the damsel groaned, and wept exceedingly +before her father, and said to him: "Oh, be not accessory to the murder +of such a king! Wealth and kingdoms pass away, but a bad name remains +till the day of doom. + + "Turn thee, my father, from this dreadful thought, + And save his sacred blood: let not thy name + Be syllabled with horror through the world, + For such an act as this. When foes are slain, + It is enough, but keep the sword away + From friends and kindred; shun domestic crime. + Fear him who giveth life, and strength, and power, + For goodness is most blessed. On the day + Of judgment thou wilt then be unappalled. + But if determined to divide us, first + Smite off this head, and let thy daughter die." + +So deep and violent was the grief of the princess, and her lamentations +so unceasing, that the father became softened into compassion, and, on +her account, departed from the resolution he had made. He even promised +to furnish Jemshd with possessions, with treasure, and an army, and +requested her to give him the consolation he required, adding that he +would see him in the morning in his garden. + + The heart-alluring damsel instant flew + To tell the welcome tidings to her lord. + +Next day King Greng proceeded to the garden, and had an interview with +Jemshd, to whom he expressed the warmest favor and affection; but +notwithstanding all he said, Jemshd could place no confidence in his +professions, and was anxious to effect his escape. He was, indeed, soon +convinced of his danger, for he had a private intimation that the king's +vizirs were consulting together on the expedience of securing his +person, under the apprehension that Zohk would be invading the country, +and consigning it to devastation and ruin, if his retreat was +discovered. He therefore took to flight. + +Jemshd first turned his steps towards Chn, and afterwards into Ind. He +had travelled a great distance in that beautiful country, and one day +came to a tower, under whose shadow he sought a little repose, for the +thoughts of his melancholy and disastrous condition kept him almost +constantly awake. + + And am I thus to perish? Thus forlorn, + To mingle with the dust? Almighty God! + Was ever mortal born to such a fate, + A fate so sad as mine! O that I never + Had drawn the breath of life, to perish thus! + +Exhausted by the keenness of his affliction Jemshd at length fell +asleep. Zohk, in the meanwhile, had despatched an envoy, with an escort +of troops, to the Khakn of Chn, and at that moment the cavalcade +happened to be passing by the tower where Jemshd was reposing. The +envoy, attracted to the spot, immediately recognized him, and awakening +him to a sense of this new misfortune, secured the despairing and +agonized wanderer, and sent him to Zohk. + + He saw a person sleeping on the ground, + And knew that it was Jemshd. Overjoyed, + He bound his feet with chains, and mounted him + Upon a horse, a prisoner. + + What a world! + No place of rest for man! Fix not thy heart, + Vain mortal! on this tenement of life, + On earthly pleasures; think of Jemshd's fate; + His glory reached the Heavens, and now this world + Has bound the valiant monarch's limbs in fetters, + And placed its justice in the hands of slaves. + +When Zohk received intelligence of the apprehension of his enemy, he +ordered him to be brought before the throne that he might enjoy the +triumph. + + All fixed their gaze upon the captive king, + Loaded with chains; his hands behind his back; + The ponderous fetters passing from his neck + Down to his feet; oppressed with shame he stood, + Like the narcissus bent with heavy dew. + Zohk received him with a scornful smile, + Saying, "Where is thy diadem, thy throne, + Where is thy kingdom, where thy sovereign rule; + Thy laws and royal ordinances--where, + Where are they now? What change is this that fate + Has wrought upon thee?" Jemshd thus rejoined: + "Unjustly am I brought in chains before thee, + Betrayed, insulted--thou the cause of all, + And yet thou wouldst appear to feel my wrongs!" + Incensed at this defiance, mixed with scorn, + Fiercely Zohk replied, "Then choose thy death; + Shall I behead thee, stab thee, or impale thee, + Or with an arrow's point transfix thy heart! + What is thy choice?"-- + + "Since I am in thy power, + Do with me what thou wilt--why should I dread + Thy utmost vengeance, why express a wish + To save my body from a moment's pain!" + +As soon as Zohk heard these words he resolved upon a horrible deed of +vengeance. He ordered two planks to be brought, and Jemshd being +fastened down between them, his body was divided the whole length with a +saw, making two figures of Jemshd out of one! + + Why do mankind upon this fleeting world + Place their affections, wickedness alone + Is nourished into freshness; sounds of death, too, + Are ever on the gale to wear out life. + My heart is satisfied--O Heaven! no more, + Free me at once from this continual sorrow. + +It was not long before tidings of the foul proceedings, which put an end +to the existence of the unfortunate Jemshd, reached Zbulistn. The +princess, his wife, on hearing of his fate, wasted away with +inconsolable grief, and at last took poison to unburden herself of +insupportable affliction. + +It is related that Jemshd had two sisters, named Shahrnz and Arnawz. +They had been both seized, and conveyed to Zohk by his people, and +continued in confinement for some time in the King's harem, but they +were afterwards released by Feridn. + +The tyrant's cruelty and oppression had become intolerable. He was +constantly shedding blood, and committing every species of crime. + + The serpents still on human brains were fed, + And every day two youthful victims bled; + The sword, still ready--thirsting still to strike, + Warrior and slave were sacrificed alike. + +The career of Zohk himself, however, was not unvisited by terrors. One +night he dreamt that he was attacked by three warriors; two of them of +large stature, and one of them small. The youngest struck him a blow on +the head with his mace, bound his hands, and casting a rope round his +neck, dragged him along in the presence of crowds of people. Zohk +screamed, and sprung up from his sleep in the greatest horror. The +females of his harem were filled with amazement when they beheld the +terrified countenance of the king who, in reply to their inquiries, +said, trembling: "This is a dream too dreadful to be concealed." He +afterwards called together the Mbids, or wise men of his court; and +having communicated to them the particulars of what had appeared to him +in his sleep, commanded them to give him a faithful interpretation of +the dream. The Mbids foresaw in this vision the approaching declension +of his power and dominion, but were afraid to explain their opinions, +because they were sure that their lives would be sacrificed if the true +interpretation was given to him. Three days were consumed under the +pretence of studying more scrupulously all the signs and appearances, +and still not one of them had courage to speak out. On the fourth day +the king grew angry, and insisted upon the dream being interpreted. In +this dilemma, the Mbids said, "Then, if the truth must be told, without +evasion, thy life approaches to an end, and Feridn, though yet unborn, +will be thy successor,"--"But who was it," inquired Zohk impatiently, +"that struck the blow on my head?" The Mbids declared, with fear and +trembling, "it was the apparition of Feridn himself, who is destined to +smite thee on the head."--"But why," rejoined Zohk, "does he wish to +injure me?"--"Because, his father's blood being spilt by thee, vengeance +falls into his hands." Hearing this interpretation of his dream, the +king sunk senseless on the ground; and when he recovered, he could +neither sleep nor take food, but continued overwhelmed with sorrow and +misery. The light of his day was forever darkened. + +Abtn was the name of Feridn's father, and that of his mother Farnuk, +of the race of Tahmers. Zohk, therefore, stimulated to further cruelty +by the prophecy, issued an order that every person belonging to the +family of the Kais, wherever found, should be seized and fettered, and +brought to him. Abtn had long avoided discovery, continuing to reside +in the most retired and solitary places; but one day his usual +circumspection forsook him, and he ventured beyond his limits. This +imprudent step was dreadfully punished, for the spies of Zohk fell in +with him, recognized him, and carrying him to the king, he was +immediately put to death. When the mother of Feridn heard of this +sanguinary catastrophe, she took up her infant and fled. It is said that +Feridn was at that time only two months old. In her flight, the mother +happened to arrive at some pasturage ground. The keeper of the pasture +had a cow named Pur'mieh, which yielded abundance of milk, and he gave +it away in charity. In consequence of the grief and distress of mind +occasioned by the murder of her husband, Farnuk's milk dried up in her +breasts, and she was therefore under the necessity of feeding the child +with the milk from the cow. She remained there one night, and would have +departed in the morning; but considering the deficiency of milk, and the +misery in which she was involved, continually afraid of being discovered +and known, she did not know what to do. At length she thought it best to +leave Feridn with the keeper of the pasture, and resigning him to the +protection of God, went herself to the mountain Alberz. The keeper +readily complied with the tenderest wishes of the mother, and nourished +the child with the fondness and affection of a parent during the space +of three years. After that period had elapsed, deep sorrow continuing to +afflict the mind of Farnuk, she returned secretly to the old man of the +pasture, for the purpose of reclaiming and conveying Feridn to a safer +place of refuge upon the mountain Alberz. The keeper said to her: "Why +dost thou take the child to the mountain? he will perish there;" but she +replied that God Almighty had inspired a feeling in her heart that it +was necessary to remove him. It was a divine inspiration, and verified +by the event. + +Intelligence having at length reached Zohk that the son of Abtn was +nourished and protected by the keeper of the pasture, he himself +proceeded with a large force to the spot, where he put to death the +keeper and all his tribe, and also the cow which had supplied milk to +Feridn, whom he sought for in vain. + + He found the dwelling of his infant-foe, + And laid it in the dust; the very ground + Was punished for the sustenance it gave him. + +The ancient records relate that a dervish happened to have taken up his +abode in the mountain Alberz, and that Farnuk committed her infant to +his fostering care. The dervish generously divided with the mother and +son all the food and comforts which God gave him, and at the same time +he took great pains in storing the mind of Feridn with various kinds of +knowledge. One day he said to the mother: "The person foretold by wise +men and astrologers as the destroyer of Zohk and his tyranny, is thy +son! + + "This child to whom thou gavest birth, + Will be the monarch of the earth;" + +and the mother, from several concurring indications and signs, held a +similar conviction. + +When Feridn had attained his sixteenth year, he descended from the +mountain, and remained for a time on the plain beneath. He inquired of +his mother why Zohk had put his father to death, and Farnuk then told +him the melancholy story; upon hearing which, he resolved to be revenged +on the tyrant. His mother endeavored to divert him from his +determination, observing that he was young, friendless, and alone, +whilst his enemy was the master of the world, and surrounded by armies. +"Be not therefore precipitate," said she. "If it is thy destiny to +become a king, wait till the Almighty shall bless thee with means +sufficient for the purpose." + + Displeased, the youth his mother's caution heard, + And meditating vengeance on the head + Of him who robbed him of a father, thus + Impatiently replied:--"'Tis Heaven inspires me; + Led on by Heaven, this arm will quickly bring + The tyrant from his palace, to the dust." + "Imprudent boy!" the anxious mother said; + "Canst thou contend against imperial power? + Must I behold thy ruin? Pause awhile, + And perish not in this wild enterprise." + +It is recorded that Zohk's dread of Feridn was so great, that day by +day he became more irritable, wasting away in bitterness of spirit, for +people of all ranks kept continually talking of the young invader, and +were daily expecting his approach. At last he came, and Zohk was +subdued, and his power extinguished. + + + +KAVAH, THE BLACKSMITH + +Zohk having one day summoned together all the nobles and philosophers +of the kingdom, he said to them: "I find that a young enemy has risen up +against me; but notwithstanding his tender years, there is no safety +even with an apparently insignificant foe. I hear, too, that though +young, he is distinguished for his prowess and wisdom; yet I fear not +him, but the change of fortune. I wish therefore to assemble a large +army, consisting of Men, Demons, and Peris, that this enemy may be +surrounded, and conquered. And, further, since a great enterprise is on +the eve of being undertaken, it will be proper in future to keep a +register or muster-roll of all the people of every age in my dominions, +and have it revised annually." The register, including both old and +young, was accordingly prepared. + +At that period there lived a man named Kavah, a blacksmith, remarkably +strong and brave, and who had a large family. Upon the day on which it +fell to the lot of two of his children to be killed to feed the +serpents, he rose up with indignation in presence of the king, and said: + + "Thou art the king, but wherefore on my head + Cast fire and ashes? If thou hast the form + Of hissing dragon, why to me be cruel? + Why give the brains of my beloved children + As serpent-food, and talk of doing justice?" + + At this bold speech the monarch was dismayed, + And scarcely knowing what he did, released + The blacksmith's sons. How leapt the father's heart, + How warmly he embraced his darling boys! + But now Zohk directs that Kavah's name + Shall be inscribed upon the register. + Soon as the blacksmith sees it written there, + Wrathful he turns towards the chiefs assembled, + Exclaiming loud: "Are ye then men, or what, + Leagued with a Demon!" All astonished heard, + And saw him tear the hated register, + And cast it under foot with rage and scorn. + +Kavah having thus reviled the king bitterly, and destroyed the register +of blood, departed from the court, and took his children along with him. +After he had gone away, the nobles said to the king: + + "Why should reproaches, sovereign of the world, + Be thus permitted? Why the royal scroll + Torn in thy presence, with a look and voice + Of proud defiance, by the rebel blacksmith? + So fierce his bearing, that he seems to be + A bold confederate of this Feridn." + Zohk replied: "I know not what o'ercame me, + But when I saw him with such vehemence + Of grief and wild distraction, strike his forehead, + Lamenting o'er his children, doomed to death, + Amazement seized my heart, and chained my will. + What may become of this, Heaven only knows, + For none can pierce the veil of destiny." + + Kavah, meanwhile, with warning voice set forth + What wrongs the nation suffered, and there came + Multitudes round him, who called out aloud + For justice! justice! On his javelin's point + He fixed his leathern apron for a banner, + And lifting it on high, he went abroad + To call the people to a task of vengeance. + Wherever it was seen crowds followed fast, + Tired of the cruel tyranny they suffered. + "Let us unite with Feridn," he cried, + "And from Zohk's oppression we are free!" + And still he called aloud, and all obeyed + Who heard him, high and low. Anxious he sought + For Feridn, not knowing his retreat: + But still he hoped success would crown his search. + + The hour arrived, and when he saw the youth, + Instinctively he knew him, and thanked Heaven + For that good fortune. Then the leathern banner + Was splendidly adorned with gold and jewels, + And called the flag of Kavah. From that time + It was a sacred symbol; every king + In future, on succeeding to the throne, + Did honor to that banner, the true sign + Of royalty, in veneration held. + +Feridn, aided by the directions and advice of the blacksmith, now +proceeded against Zohk. His mother wept to see him depart, and +continually implored the blessing of God upon him. He had two elder +brothers, whom he took along with him. Desirous of having a mace formed +like the head of a cow, he requested Kavah to make one of iron, and it +was accordingly made in the shape he described. In his progress, he +visited a shrine or place of pilgrimage frequented by the worshippers of +God, where he besought inspiration and aid, and where he was taught by a +radiant personage the mysteries of the magic art, receiving from him a +key to every secret. + + Bright beamed his eye, with firmer step he strode, + His smiling cheek with warmer crimson glowed. + +When his two brothers saw his altered mien, the pomp and splendor of his +appearance, they grew envious of his good fortune, and privately +meditated his fall. One day they found him asleep at the foot of a +mountain, and they immediately went to the top and rolled down a heavy +fragment of rock upon him with the intention of crushing him to death; +but the clattering noise of the stone awoke him, and, instantly +employing the knowledge of sorcery which had been communicated to him, +the stone was suddenly arrested by him in its course. The brothers +beheld this with astonishment, and hastening down the mountain, cried +aloud: "We know not how the stone was loosened from its place: God +forbid that it should have done any injury to Feridn." Feridn, +however, was well aware of this being the evil work of his brothers, but +he took no notice of the conspiracy, and instead of punishing them, +raised them to higher dignity and consequence. + +They saw that Kavah directed the route of Feridn over the mountainous +tracts and plains which lie contiguous to the banks of the Dijleh, or +Tigris, close to the city of Bagdad. Upon reaching that river, they +called for boats, but got no answer from the ferryman; at which Feridn +was enraged, and immediately plunged, on horseback, into the foaming +stream. All his army followed without delay, and with the blessing of +God arrived on the other side in safety. He then turned toward the +Bait-el-Mukaddus, built by Zohk. In the Pahlavi language it was called +Kunuk-duz-mokt. The tower of this edifice was so lofty that it might be +seen at the distance of many leagues, and within that tower Zohk had +formed a talisman of miraculous virtues. Feridn soon overthrew this +talisman, and destroyed or vanquished successively with his mace all the +enchanted monsters and hideous shapes which appeared before him. He +captured the whole of the building, and released all the black-eyed +damsels who were secluded there, and among them Shahrnz and Arnawz, +the two sisters of Jemshd before alluded to. He then ascended the empty +throne of Zohk, which had been guarded by the talisman, and the Demons +under his command; and when he heard that the tyrant had gone with an +immense army toward Ind, in quest of his new enemy, and had left his +treasury with only a small force at the seat of his government, he +rejoiced, and appropriated the throne and the treasure to himself. + + From their dark solitudes the Youth brought forth + The black-haired damsels, lovely as the sun, + And Jemshd's sisters, long imprisoned there; + And gladly did the inmates of that harem + Pour out their gratitude on being freed + From that terrific monster; thanks to Heaven + Devoutly they expressed, and ardent joy. + +Feridn inquired of Arnawz why Zohk had chosen the route towards Ind; +and she replied, "For two reasons: the first is, he expects to encounter +thee in that quarter; and if he fails, he will subdue the whole country, +which is the seat of sorcery, and thus obtain possession of a renowned +magician who can charm thee into his power. + + "He wishes to secure within his grasp + That region of enchantment, Hindstn, + And then obtain relief from what he feels; + For night and day the terror of thy name + Oppresses him, his heart is all on fire, + And life is torture to him." + + + +FERIDN + +Kandr, the keeper of the talisman, having effected his escape, fled to +Zohk, to whom he gave intelligence of the release of his women, the +destruction of the talisman, and the conquest of his empire. + + "The sign of retribution has appeared, + For sorrow is the fruit of evil deeds." + Thus Kandr spoke: "Three warriors have advanced + Upon thy kingdom from a distant land, + One of them young, and from his air and mien + He seems to me of the Kainian race. + He came, and boldly seized the splendid throne, + And all thy spells, and sorceries, and magic, + Were instantly dissolved by higher power, + And all who dwelt within thy palace walls, + Demon or man, all utterly destroyed, + Their severed heads cast weltering on the ground." + Then was Zohk confounded, and he shrunk + Within himself with terror, thinking now + His doom was sealed; but anxious to appear + In presence of his army, gay and cheerful, + Lest they too should despair, he dressed himself + In rich attire, and with a pleasant look, + Said carelessly: "Perhaps some gamesome guest + Hath in his sport committed this strange act." + "A guest, indeed!" Kandr replied, "a guest, + In playful mood to batter down thy palace! + If he had been thy guest, why with his mace, + Cow-headed, has he done such violence? + Why did he penetrate thy secret chambers, + And bring to light the beautiful Shahrnz, + And red-lipped Arnawz?" At this, Zohk + Trembled with wrath--the words were death to him; + And sternly thus he spoke: "What hast thou fled + Through fear, betraying thy important trust? + No longer shalt thou share my confidence, + No longer share my bounty and regard." + To this the keeper tauntingly replied: + "Thy kingdom is overthrown, and nothing now + Remains for thee to give me; thou art lost." + +The tyrant immediately turned towards his army, with the intention of +making a strong effort to regain his throne, but he found that as soon +as the soldiers and the people were made acquainted with the proceedings +and success of Feridn, rebellion arose among them, and shuddering with +horror at the cruelty exercised by him in providing food for the +accursed serpents, they preferred embracing the cause of the new king. +Zohk, seeing that he had lost the affections of the army, and that +universal revolt was the consequence, adopted another course, and +endeavored alone to be revenged upon his enemy. He proceeded on his +journey, and arriving by night at the camp of Feridn, hoped to find him +off his guard and put him to death. He ascended a high place, himself +unobserved, from which he saw Feridn sitting engaged in soft dalliance +with the lovely Shahrnz. The fire of jealousy and revenge now consumed +him more fiercely, and he was attempting to effect his purpose, when +Feridn was roused by the noise, and starting up struck a furious blow +with his cow-headed mace upon the temples of Zohk, which crushed the +bone, and he was on the point of giving him another; but a supernatural +voice whispered in his ear, + + "Slay him not now--his time is not yet come, + His punishment must be prolonged awhile; + And as he cannot now survive the wound, + Bind him with heavy chains--convey him straight + Upon the mountain, there within a cave, + Deep, dark, and horrible--with none to soothe + His sufferings, let the murderer lingering die." + + The work of heaven performing, Feridn + First purified the world from sin and crime. + + Yet Feridn was not an angel, nor + Composed of musk or ambergris. By justice + And generosity he gained his fame. + Do thou but exercise these princely virtues, + And thou wilt be renowned as Feridn. + + + +FERIDN AND HIS THREE SONS + +Feridn had three sons. One of them was named Slim, the other Tr, and +the third Irij. When they had grown up, he called before him a learned +person named Chundel, and said to him: "Go thou in quest of three +daughters, born of the same father and mother, and adorned with every +grace and accomplishment, that I may have my three sons married into one +family." Chundel departed accordingly, and travelled through many +countries in fruitless search, till he came to the King of Yemen, whose +name was Sar, and found that he had three daughters of the character +and qualifications required. He therefore delivered Feridn's +proposition to him, to which the King of Yemen agreed. Then Feridn sent +his three sons to Yemen, and they married the three daughters of the +king, who gave them splendid dowries in treasure and jewels. It is +related that Feridn afterwards divided his empire among his sons. To +Slim he gave Rm and Khwer; to Tr, Trn;[2] and to Irij, Irn or +Persia. The sons then repaired to their respective kingdoms. Persia was +a beautiful country, and the garden of spring, full of freshness and +perfume; Trn, on the contrary, was less cultivated, and the scene of +perpetual broils and insurrections. The elder brother, Slim, was +therefore discontented with the unfair partition of the empire, and +displeased with his father. He sent to Tr, saying: "Our father has +given to Irij the most delightful and productive kingdom, and to us, two +wild uncultivated regions. I am the eldest son, and I am not satisfied +with this distribution--what sayest thou?" When this message was +communicated to Tr, he fully concurred in the sentiments expressed by +his brother, and determined to unite with him in any undertaking that +might promise the accomplishment of their purpose, which was to deprive +Irij of his dominions. But he thought it would be most expedient, in the +first instance, to make their father acquainted with the dissatisfaction +he had produced; "for," he thought to himself, "in a new distribution, +he may assign Persia to me." Then he wrote to Slim, advising that a +messenger should be sent at once to Feridn to inform him of their +dissatisfaction, and bring back a reply. The same messenger was +dispatched by Slim accordingly on that mission, + + Charged with unfilial language. "Give," he said, + "This stripling Irij a more humble portion, + Or we will, from the mountains of Trn, + From Rm, and Chn, bring overwhelming troops, + Inured to war, and shower disgrace and ruin + On him and Persia." + +When the messenger arrived at the court of Feridn, and had obtained +permission to appear in the presence of the king, he kissed the ground +respectfully, and by command related the purpose of his journey. Feridn +was surprised and displeased, and said, in reply: + + "Have I done wrong, done evil? None, but good. + I gave ye kingdoms, that was not a crime; + But if ye fear not me, at least fear God. + My ebbing life approaches to an end, + And the possessions of this fleeting world + Will soon pass from me. I am grown too old + To have my passions roused by this rebellion; + All I can do is, with paternal love, + To counsel peace. Be with your lot contented; + Seek not unnatural strife, but cherish peace." + +After the departure of the messenger Feridn called Irij before him, and +said: "Thy two brothers, who are older than thou art, have confederated +together and threaten to bring a large army against thee for the purpose +of seizing thy kingdom, and putting thee to death. I have received this +information from a messenger, who further says, that if I take thy part +they will also wage war upon me." And after Irij had declared that in +this extremity he was anxious to do whatever his father might advise, +Feridn continued: "My son, thou art unable to resist the invasion of +even one brother; it will, therefore, be impossible for thee to oppose +both. I am now aged and infirm, and my only wish is to pass the +remainder of my days in retirement and repose. Better, then, will it be +for thee to pursue the path of peace and friendship, and like me throw +away all desire for dominion. + + "For if the sword of anger is unsheathed, + And war comes on, thy head will soon be freed + From all the cares of government and life. + There is no cause for thee to quit the world, + The path of peace and amity is thine." + +Irij agreed with his father, and declared that he would willingly +sacrifice his throne and diadem rather than go to war with his brothers. + + "Look at the Heavens, how they roll on; + And look at man, how soon he's gone. + A breath of wind, and then no more; + A world like this, should man deplore?" + +With these sentiments Irij determined to repair immediately to his +brothers, and place his kingdom at their disposal, hoping by this means +to merit their favor and affection, and he said: + + "I feel no resentment, I seek not for strife, + I wish not for thrones and the glories of life; + What is glory to man?--an illusion, a cheat; + What did it for Jemshd, the world at his feet? + When I go to my brothers their anger may cease, + Though vengeance were fitter than offers of peace." + +Feridn observed to him: "It is well that thy desire is for +reconciliation, as thy brothers are preparing for war." He then wrote a +letter to his sons, in which he said: "Your younger brother considers +your friendship and esteem of more consequence to him than his crown and +throne. He has banished from his heart every feeling of resentment +against you; do you, in the like manner, cast away hostility from your +hearts against him. Be kind to him, for it is incumbent upon the eldest +born to be indulgent and affectionate to their younger brothers. +Although your consideration for my happiness has passed away, I still +wish to please you." As soon as the letter was finished, Irij mounted +his horse, and set off on his journey, accompanied by several of his +friends, but not in such a manner, and with such an equipment, as might +betray his rank or character. When he arrived with his attendants in +Turkistn, he found that the armies of his two brothers were ready to +march against him. Slim and Tr, being apprised of the approach of +Irij, went out of the city, according to ancient usage, to meet the +deputation which was conveying to them their father's letter. Irij was +kindly received by them, and accommodated in the royal residence. + +It is said that Irij was in person extremely prepossessing, and that +when the troops first beheld him, they exclaimed: "He is indeed fit to +be a king!" In every place all eyes were fixed upon him, and wherever he +moved he was followed and surrounded by the admiring army and crowds of +people. + + In numerous groups the soldiers met, and blessed + The name of Irij, saying in their hearts, + This is the man to lead an armed host, + And worthy of the diadem and throne. + +The courtiers of the two brothers, alarmed by these demonstrations of +attachment to Irij continually before their eyes, represented to Slim +and Tr that the army was disaffected towards them, and that Irij alone +was considered deserving of the supreme authority. This intimation +exasperated the malignant spirit of the two brothers: for although at +first determined to put Irij to death, his youth and prepossessing +appearance had in some degree subdued their animosity. They were +therefore pleased with the intelligence, because it afforded a new and +powerful reason for getting rid of him. "Look at our troops," said Slim +to Tr, "how they assemble in circles together, and betray their +admiration of him. I fear they will never march against Persia. Indeed +it is not improbable that even the kingdom of Trn may fall into his +hands, since the hearts of our soldiers have become so attached to him. + + "No time is this to deviate from our course, + We must rush on; our armies plainly show + Their love for Irij, and if we should fail + To root up from its place this flourishing tree, + Our cause is lost for ever." + +Again, Slim said to Tr: "Thou must put Irij to death, and then his +kingdom will be thine." Tr readily undertook to commit that crime, and, +on the following day, at an interview with Irij, he said to him: "Why +didst thou consent to be the ruler of Persia, and fail in showing a +proper regard for the interests of thy elder brothers? Whilst our barren +kingdoms are constantly in a state of warfare with the Turks, thou art +enjoying peace and tranquillity upon the throne of a fruitful country? +Must we, thy elder brothers, remain thus under thy commands, and in +subordinate stations? + + "Must thou have gold and treasure, + And thy heart be wrapt in pleasure, + Whilst we, thy elder born, + Of our heritage are shorn? + Must the youngest still be nursed, + And the elder branches cursed? + And condemned, by stern command, + To a wild and sterile land?" + +When Irij heard these words from Tr, he immediately replied, saying: + + "I only seek tranquillity and peace; + I look not on the crown of sovereignty. + Nor seek a name among the Persian host; + And though the throne and diadem are mine, + I here renounce them, satisfied to lead + A private life. For what hath ever been + The end of earthly power and pomp, but darkness? + I seek not to contend against my brothers; + Why should I grieve their hearts, or give distress + To any human being? I am young, + And Heaven forbid that I should prove unkind!" + +Notwithstanding, however, these declarations of submission, and repeated +assurances of his resolution to resign the monarchy of Persia, Tr would +not believe one word. In a moment he sprung up, and furiously seizing +the golden chair from which he had just risen, struck a violent blow +with it on the head of Irij, calling aloud, "Bind him, bind him!" The +youth, struggling on the ground, exclaimed: "O, think of thy father, and +pity me! Have compassion on thy own soul! I came for thy protection, +therefore do not take my life: if thou dost, my blood will call out for +vengeance to the Almighty. I ask only for peace and retirement. Think of +my father, and pity me! + + "Wouldst thou, with life endowed, take life away? + Torture not the poor ant, which drags the grain + Along the dust; it has a life, and life + Is sweet and precious. Did the innocent ant + Offend thee ever? Cruel must he be + Who would destroy a living thing so harmless! + And wilt thou, reckless, shed thy brother's blood, + And agonize the feelings of a father? + Pause, and avoid the wrath of righteous Heaven!" + +But Tr was not to be softened by the supplications of his brother. +Without giving any reply, he drew his dagger, and instantly dissevered +the head of the youth from his body. + + With musk and ambergris he first embalmed + The head of Irij, then to his old father + Dispatched the present with these cruel words: + "Here is the head of thy beloved son, + Thy darling favourite, dress it with a crown + As thou wert wont; and mark the goodly fruit + Thou hast produced. Adorn thy ivory throne, + In all its splendour, for this worthy head, + And place it in full majesty before thee!" + +In the meantime, Feridn had prepared a magnificent reception for his +son. The period of his return had arrived, and he was in anxious +expectation of seeing him, when suddenly he received intelligence that +Irij had been put to death by his brothers. The mournful spectacle soon +reached his father's house. + + A scream of agony burst from his heart, + As wildly in his arms he clasped the face + Of his poor slaughtered son; then down he sank + Senseless upon the earth. The soldiers round + Bemoaned the sad catastrophe, and rent + Their garments in their grief. The souls of all + Were filled with gloom, their eyes with flowing tears, + For hope had promised a far different scene; + A day of heart-felt mirth and joyfulness, + When Irij to his father's house returned. + +After the extreme agitation of Feridn had subsided, he directed all his +people to wear black apparel, in honor of the murdered youth, and all +his drums and banners to be torn to pieces. They say that subsequent to +this dreadful calamity he always wore black clothes. The head of Irij +was buried in a favorite garden, where he had been accustomed to hold +weekly a rural entertainment. Feridn, in performing the last ceremony, +pressed it to his bosom, and with streaming eyes exclaimed: + + "O Heaven, look down upon my murdered boy; + His severed head before me, but his body + Torn by those hungry wolves! O grant my prayer, + That I may see, before I die, the seed + Of Irij hurl just vengeance on the heads + Of his assassins; hear, O hear my prayer." + --Thus he in sorrow for his favourite son + Obscured the light which might have sparkled still, + Withering the jasmine flower of happy days; + So that his pale existence looked like death. + + + +MINCHIHR + +Feridn continued to cherish with the fondest affection the memory of +his murdered son, and still looked forward with anxiety to the +anticipated hour of retribution. He fervently hoped that a son might be +born to take vengeance for his father's death. But it so happened that +Mahafrd, the wife of Irij, gave birth to a daughter. When this daughter +grew up, Feridn gave her in marriage to Pishung, and from that union an +heir was born who in form and feature resembled Irij and Feridn. He was +called Minchihr, and great rejoicings took place on the occasion of his +birth. + + The old man's lips, with smiles apart, + Bespoke the gladness of his heart. + And in his arms he took the boy + The harbinger of future joy; + Delighted that indulgent Heaven + To his fond hopes this pledge had given, + It seemed as if, to bless his reign, + Irij had come to life again. + +The child was nourished with great tenderness during his infancy, and +when he grew up he was sedulously instructed in every art necessary to +form the character, and acquire the accomplishments of a warrior. +Feridn was accustomed to place him on the throne, and decorate his +brows with the crown of sovereignty; and the soldiers enthusiastically +acknowledged him as their king, urging him to rouse himself and take +vengeance of his enemies for the murder of his grandfather. Having +opened his treasury, Feridn distributed abundance of gold among the +people, so that Minchihr was in a short time enabled to embody an +immense army, by whom he was looked upon with attachment and admiration. + +When Slim and Tr were informed of the preparations that were making +against them, that Minchihr, having grown to manhood, was distinguished +for his valor and intrepidity, and that multitudes flocked to his +standard with the intention of forwarding his purpose of revenge, they +were seized with inexpressible terror, and anticipated an immediate +invasion of their kingdoms. Thus alarmed, they counselled together upon +the course it would be wisest to adopt. + + "Should he advance, his cause is just, + And blood will mingle with the dust, + But heaven forbid our power should be + O'erwhelmed to give him victory; + Though strong his arm, and wild his ire, + And vengeance keen his heart inspire." + +They determined, at length, to pursue pacific measures, and endeavor by +splendid presents and conciliatory language to regain the good-will of +Feridn. The elephants were immediately loaded with treasure, a crown of +gold, and other articles of value, and a messenger was dispatched, +charged with an acknowledgment of guilt and abundant expressions of +repentance. "It was Ibls," they said, "who led us astray, and our +destiny has been such that we are in every way criminal. But thou art +the ocean of mercy; pardon our offences. Though manifold, they were +involuntary, and forgiveness will cleanse our hearts and restore us to +ourselves. Let our tears wash away the faults we have committed. To +Minchihr and to thyself we offer obedience and fealty, and we wait your +commands, being but the dust of your feet." + +When the messenger arrived at the court of Feridn he first delivered +the magnificent presents, and the king, having placed Minchihr on a +golden chair by his side, observed to him, "These presents are to thee a +prosperous and blessed omen--they show that thy enemy is afraid of +thee." Then the messenger was permitted to communicate the object of his +mission. + + He spoke with studied phrase, intent to hide, + Or mitigate the horror of their crime; + And with excuses plausible and bland + His speech was dressed. The brothers, he observed, + Desired to see their kinsman Minchihr, + And with the costliest gems they sought to pay + The price of kindred blood unjustly shed-- + And they would willingly to him resign + Their kingdoms for the sake of peace and friendship. + + The monarch marked him scornfully, and said: + "Canst thou conceal the sun? It is in vain + Truth to disguise with words of shallow meaning. + Now hear my answer. Ask thy cruel masters, + Who talk of their affection for the prince, + Where lies the body of the gentle Irij? + Him they have slain, the fierce, unnatural brothers, + And now they thirst to gain another victim. + They long to see the face of Minchihr! + Yes, and they shall, surrounded by his soldiers, + And clad in steel, and they shall feel the edge + Of life-destroying swords. Yes, they shall see him!" + +After uttering this indignant speech, Feridn showed to the messenger +his great warriors, one by one. He showed him Kavah and his two sons, +Shahpr, and Shreh, and Krun, and Sm,[3] and Narmn, and other +chiefs--all of admirable courage and valor in war--and thus resumed: + + "Hence with your presents, hence, away, + Can gold or gems turn night to day? + Must kingly heads be bought and sold, + And shall I barter blood for gold? + Shall gold a father's heart entice, + Blood to redeem beyond all price? + Hence, hence with treachery; I have heard + Their glozing falsehoods, every word; + But human feelings guide my will, + And keep my honour sacred still. + True is the oracle we read: + 'Those who have sown oppression's seed + Reap bitter fruit; their souls, perplext, + Joy not in this world or the next.' + The brothers of my murdered boy, + Who could a father's hopes destroy, + An equal punishment will reap, + And lasting vengeance o'er them sweep. + They rooted up my favourite tree, + But yet a branch remains to me. + Now the young lion comes apace, + The glory of his glorious race; + He comes apace, to punish guilt, + Where brother's blood was basely spilt; + And blood alone for blood must pay; + Hence with your gold, depart, away!" + +When the messenger heard these reproaches, mingled with poison, he +immediately took leave, and trembling with fear, returned to Slim and +Tr with the utmost speed. He described to them in strong and alarming +terms the appearance and character of Minchihr, and his warriors; of +that noble youth who with frowning eyebrows was only anxious for battle. +He then communicated to them in what manner he had been received, and +repeated the denunciations of Feridn, at which the brothers were +exceedingly grieved and disappointed. But Slim said to Tr: + + "Let us be first upon the field, before + He marshals his array. It follows not, + That he should be a hero bold and valiant, + Because he is descended from the brave; + But it becomes us well to try our power,-- + For speed, in war, is better than delay." + +In this spirit the two brothers rapidly collected from both their +kingdoms a large army, and proceeded towards Irn. On hearing of their +progress, Feridn said: "This is well--they come of themselves. The +forest game surrenders itself voluntarily at the foot of the sportsman." +Then he commanded his army to wait quietly till they arrived; for skill +and patience, he observed, will draw the lion's head into your toils. + +As soon as the enemy had approached within a short distance, Minchihr +solicited Feridn to commence the engagement--and the king having +summoned his chief warriors before him, appointed them all, one by one, +to their proper places. + + The warriors of renown assembled straight + With ponderous clubs; each like a lion fierce, + Girded his loins impatient. In their front + The sacred banner of the blacksmith waved; + Bright scimitars were brandished in the air; + Beneath them pranced their steeds, all armed for fight, + And so incased in iron were the chiefs + From top to toe, their eyes were only seen. + + When Krun drew his hundred thousand troops + Upon the field, the battle-word was given, + And Minchihr was, like the cypress tall, + Engaged along the centre of the hosts; + And like the moon he shone, amid the groups + Of congregated clouds, or as the sun + Glittering upon the mountain of Alberz. + The squadrons in advance Kabd commanded, + Garshsp the left, and Sm upon the right. + + The shedders of a brother's blood had now + Brought their innumerous legions to the strife, + And formed them in magnificent array: + The picket guards were almost thrown together, + When Tr sprung forward, and with sharp reproach, + And haughty gesture, thus addressed Kabd: + "Ask this new king, this Minchihr, since Heaven + To Irij gave a daughter, who on him + Bestowed the mail, the battle-axe, and sword?" + To this insulting speech, Kabd replied: + "The message shall be given, and I will bring + The answer, too. Ye know what ye have done; + Have ye not murdered him who, trusting, sought + Protection from ye? All mankind for this + Must curse your memory till the day of doom; + If savage monsters were to fly your presence, + It would not be surprising. Those who die + In this most righteous cause will go to Heaven, + With all their sins forgotten!" Then Kabd + Went to the king, and told the speech of Tr: + A smile played o'er the cheek of Minchihr + As thus he spoke: "A boaster he must be, + Or a vain fool, for when engaged in battle, + Vigour of arm and the enduring soul, + Will best be proved. I ask but for revenge-- + Vengeance for Irij slain. Meanwhile, return; + We shall not fight to-day." + + He too retired, + And in his tent upon the sandy plain, + Ordered the festive board to be prepared, + And wine and music whiled the hours away. + +When morning dawned the battle commenced, and multitudes were slain on +both sides. + + The spacious plain became a sea of blood; + It seemed as if the earth was covered o'er + With crimson tulips; slippery was the ground, + And all in dire confusion. + +The army of Minchihr was victorious, owing to the bravery and skill of +the commander. But Heaven was in his favor. + +In the evening Slim and Tr consulted together, and came to the +resolution of effecting a formidable night attack on the enemy. The +spies of Minchihr, however, obtained information of this intention, and +communicated the secret to the king. Minchihr immediately placed the +army in charge of Krun, and took himself thirty thousand men to wait in +ambuscade for the enemy, and frustrate his views. Tr advanced with a +hundred thousand men; but as he advanced, he found every one on the +alert, and aware of his approach. He had gone too far to retreat in the +dark without fighting, and therefore began a vigorous conflict. +Minchihr sprung up from his ambuscade, and with his thirty thousand men +rushed upon the centre of the enemy's troops, and in the end encountered +Tr. The struggle was not long. Minchihr dexterously using his javelin, +hurled him from his saddle precipitately to the ground, and then with +his dagger severed the head from his body. The body he left to be +devoured by the beasts of the field, and the head he sent as a trophy to +Feridn; after which, he proceeded in search of Slim. + +The army of the confederates, however, having suffered such a signal +defeat, Slim thought it prudent to fall back and take refuge in a fort. +But Minchihr went in pursuit, and besieged the castle. One day a +warrior named Kak made a sally out of the fort, and approaching the +centre of the besieging army, threw a javelin at Minchihr, which, +however, fell harmless before it reached its aim. Then Minchihr seized +the enemy by the girdle, raised him up in air, and flung him from his +saddle to the ground. + + He grasped the foe-man by the girth, + And thundering drove him to the earth; + By wound of spear, and gory brand, + He died upon the burning sand. + +The siege was continued for some time with the view of weakening the +power of Slim; at last Minchihr sent a message to him, saying: "Let +the battle be decided between us. Quit the fort, and boldly meet me +here, that it may be seen to whom God gives the victory." Slim could +not, without disgrace, refuse this challenge: he descended from the +fort, and met Minchihr. A desperate conflict ensued, and he was slain +on the spot. Minchihr's keen sword severed the royal head from the +body, and thus quickly ended the career of Slim. After that, the whole +of the enemy's troops were defeated and put to flight in every +direction. + +The leading warriors of the routed army now sought protection from +Minchihr, who immediately complied with their solicitation, and by +their influence all the forces of Slim and Tr united under him. To +each he gave rank according to his merits. After the victory, Minchihr +hastened to pay his respects to Feridn, who received him with praises +and thanksgivings, and the customary honors. Returning from the battle, +Feridn met him on foot; and the moment Minchihr beheld the venerable +monarch, he alighted and kissed the ground. They then, seated in the +palace together, congratulated themselves on the success of their arms. +In a short time after, the end of Feridn approached; when recommending +Minchihr to the care of Sm and Narmn, he said: "My hour of departure +has arrived, and I place the prince under your protection." He then +directed Minchihr to be seated on the throne; + + And put himself the crown upon his head, + And stored his mind with counsel good and wise. + +Upon the death of Feridn, Minchihr accordingly succeeded to the +government of the empire, and continued to observe strictly all the laws +and regulations of his great grandfather. He commanded his subjects to +be constant in the worship of God. + + The army and the people gave him praise, + Prayed for his happiness and length of days; + Our hearts, they said, are ever bound to thee; + Our hearts, inspired by love and loyalty. + + + +ZL, THE SON OF SM + +According to the traditionary histories from which Firdusi has derived +his legends, the warrior Sm had a son born to him whose hair was +perfectly white. On his birth the nurse went to Sm and told him that +God had blessed him with a wonderful child, without a single blemish, +excepting that his hair was white; but when Sm saw him he was grieved: + + His hair was white as goose's wing, + His cheek was like the rose of spring + His form was straight as cypress tree-- + But when the sire was brought to see + That child with hair so silvery white, + His heart revolted at the sight. + +His mother gave him the name of Zl and the people said to Sm, "This is +an ominous event, and will be to thee productive of nothing but +calamity; it would be better if thou couldst remove him out of sight. + + "No human being of this earth + Could give to such a monster birth; + He must be of the Demon race, + Though human still in form and face. + If not a Demon, he, at least, + Appears a party-coloured beast." + +When Sm was made acquainted with these reproaches and sneers of the +people, he determined, though with a sorrowful heart, to take him up to +the mountain Alberz, and abandon him there to be destroyed by beasts of +prey. Alberz was the abode of the Smrgh or Griffin,[4] and, whilst +flying about in quest of food for his hungry young ones, that surprising +animal discovered the child lying alone upon the hard rock, crying and +sucking its fingers. The Smrgh, however, felt no inclination to devour +him, but compassionately took him up in the air, and conveyed him to his +own habitation. + + He who is blest with Heaven's grace + Will never want a dwelling-place + And he who bears the curse of Fate + Can never change his wretched state. + A voice, not earthly, thus addressed + The Smrgh in his mountain nest-- + "To thee this mortal I resign, + Protected by the power divine; + Let him thy fostering kindness share, + Nourish him with paternal care; + For from his loins, in time, will spring + The champion of the world, and bring + Honour on earth, and to thy name; + The heir of everlasting fame." + +The young ones were also kind and affectionate to the infant, which was +thus nourished and protected by the Smrgh for several years. + + + +THE DREAM OF SM + +It is said that one night, after melancholy musings and reflecting on +the miseries of this life, Sm was visited by a dream, and when the +particulars of it were communicated to the interpreters of mysterious +warnings and omens, they declared that Zl was certainly still alive, +although he had been long exposed on Alberz, and left there to be torn +to pieces by wild animals. Upon this interpretation being given, the +natural feelings of the father returned, and he sent his people to the +mountain in search of Zl, but without success. On another night Sm +dreamt a second time, when he beheld a young man of a beautiful +countenance at the head of an immense army, with a banner flying before +him, and a Mbid on his left hand. One of them addressed Sm, and +reproached him thus:-- + + Unfeeling mortal, hast thou from thy eyes + Washed out all sense of shame? Dost thou believe + That to have silvery tresses is a crime? + If so, thy head is covered with white hair; + And were not both spontaneous gifts from Heaven? + Although the boy was hateful to thy sight, + The grace of God has been bestowed upon him; + And what is human tenderness and love + To Heaven's protection? Thou to him wert cruel, + But Heaven has blest him, shielding him from harm. + +Sm screamed aloud in his sleep, and awoke greatly terrified. Without +delay he went himself to Alberz, and ascended the mountain, and wept and +prayed before the throne of the Almighty, saying:-- + + "If that forsaken child be truly mine, + And not the progeny of Demon fell, + O pity me! forgive the wicked deed, + And to my eyes, my injured son restore." + +His prayer was accepted. The Smrgh, hearing the lamentations of Sm +among his people, knew that he had come in quest of his son, and thus +said to Zl:--"I have fed and protected thee like a kind nurse, and I +have given thee the name of Dustn, like a father. Sm, the warrior, has +just come upon the mountain in search of his child, and I must restore +thee to him, and we must part." Zl wept when he heard of this +unexpected separation, and in strong terms expressed his gratitude to +his benefactor; for the Wonderful Bird had not omitted to teach him the +language of the country, and to cultivate his understanding, removed as +they were to such a distance from the haunts of mankind. The Smrgh +soothed him by assuring him that he was not going to abandon him to +misfortune, but to increase his prosperity; and, as a striking proof of +affection, gave him a feather from his own wing, with these +instructions:--"Whenever thou art involved in difficulty or danger, put +this feather on the fire, and I will instantly appear to thee to ensure +thy safety. Never cease to remember me. + + "I have watched thee with fondness by day and by night, + And supplied all thy wants with a father's delight; + O forget not thy nurse--still be faithful to me-- + And my heart will be ever devoted to thee." + +Zl immediately replied in a strain of gratitude and admiration; and +then the Smrgh conveyed him to Sm, and said to him: "Receive thy +son--he is of wonderful promise, and will be worthy of the throne and +the diadem." + + The soul of Sm rejoiced to hear + Applause so sweet to a parent's ear; + And blessed them both in thought and word, + The lovely boy, and the Wondrous Bird. + +He also declared to Zl that he was ashamed of the crime of which he had +been guilty, and that he would endeavor to obliterate the recollection +of the past by treating him in future with the utmost respect and honor. + +When Minchihr heard from Zbul of these things, and of Sm's return, he +was exceedingly pleased, and ordered his son, Nauder, with a splendid +istakbl,[5] to meet the father and son on their approach to the city. +They were surrounded by warriors and great men, and Sm embraced the +first moment to introduce Zl to the king. + + Zl humbly kissed the earth before the king, + And from the hands of Minchihr received + A golden mace and helm. Then those who knew + The stars and planetary signs, were told + To calculate the stripling's destiny; + And all proclaimed him of exalted fortune, + That he would be prodigious in his might, + Outshining every warrior of the age. + +Delighted with this information, Minchihr, seated upon his throne, with +Krun on one side and Sm on the other, presented Zl with Arabian +horses, and armor, and gold, and splendid garments, and appointed Sm to +the government of Kbul, Zbul, and Ind. Zl accompanied his father on +his return; and when they arrived at Zbulistn, the most renowned +instructors in every art and science were collected together to +cultivate and enrich his young mind. + +In the meantime Sm was commanded by the king to invade and subdue the +Demon provinces of Karugsr and Mzindern;[6] and Zl was in +consequence left by his father in charge of Zbulistn. The young +nursling of the Smrgh is said to have performed the duties of +sovereignty with admirable wisdom and discretion, during the absence of +his father. He did not pass his time in idle exercises, but with zealous +delight in the society of accomplished and learned men, for the purpose +of becoming familiar with every species of knowledge and acquirement. +The city of Zbul, however, as a constant residence, did not entirely +satisfy him, and he wished to see more of the world; he therefore +visited several other places, and proceeded as far as Kbul, where he +pitched his tents, and remained for some time. + + + +RDBEH + +The chief of Kbul was descended from the family of Zohk. He was named +Mihrb, and to secure the safety of his state, paid annual tribute to +Sm. Mihrb, on the arrival of Zl, went out of the city to see him, and +was hospitably entertained by the young hero, who soon discovered that +he had a daughter of wonderful attractions. + + Her name Rdbeh; screened from public view, + Her countenance is brilliant as the sun; + From head to foot her lovely form is fair + As polished ivory. Like the spring, her cheek + Presents a radiant bloom,--in stature tall, + And o'er her silvery brightness, richly flow + Dark musky ringlets clustering to her feet. + She blushes like the rich pomegranate flower; + Her eyes are soft and sweet as the narcissus, + Her lashes from the raven's jetty plume + Have stolen their blackness, and her brows are bent + Like archer's bow. Ask ye to see the moon? + Look at her face. Seek ye for musky fragrance? + She is all sweetness. Her long fingers seem + Pencils of silver, and so beautiful + Her presence, that she breathes of Heaven and love. + +Such was the description of Rdbeh, which inspired the heart of Zl +with the most violent affection, and imagination added to her charms. + +Mihrb again waited on Zl, who received him graciously, and asked him +in what manner he could promote his wishes. Mihrb said that he only +desired him to become his guest at a banquet he intended to invite him +to; but Zl thought proper to refuse, because he well knew, if he +accepted an invitation of the kind from a relation of Zohk, that his +father Sm and the King of Persia would be offended. Mihrb returned to +Kbul disappointed, and having gone into his harem, his wife, Sndokht, +inquired after the stranger from Zbul, the white-headed son of Sm. She +wished to know what he was like, in form and feature, and what account +he gave of his sojourn with the Smrgh. Mihrb described him in the +warmest terms of admiration--he was valiant, he said, accomplished and +handsome, with no other defect than that of white hair. And so boundless +was his praise, that Rdbeh, who was present, drank every word with +avidity, and felt her own heart warmed into admiration and love. Full of +emotion, she afterwards said privately to her attendants: + + "To you alone the secret of my heart + I now unfold; to you alone confess + The deep sensations of my captive soul. + I love, I love; all day and night of him + I think alone--I see him in my dreams-- + You only know my secret--aid me now, + And soothe the sorrows of my bursting heart." + +The attendants were startled with this confession and entreaty, and +ventured to remonstrate against so preposterous an attachment. + + "What! hast thou lost all sense of shame, + All value for thy honored name! + That thou, in loveliness supreme, + Of every tongue the constant theme, + Should choose, and on another's word. + The nursling of a Mountain Bird! + A being never seen before, + Which human mother never bore! + And can the hoary locks of age, + A youthful heart like thine engage? + Must thy enchanting form be prest + To such a dubious monster's breast? + And all thy beauty's rich array, + Thy peerless charms be thrown away?" + +This violent remonstrance was more calculated to rouse the indignation +of Rdbeh than to induce her to change her mind. It did so. But she +subdued her resentment, and again dwelt upon the ardor of her passion. + + "My attachment is fixed, my election is made, + And when hearts are enchained 'tis in vain to upbraid. + Neither Kzar nor Faghfr I wish to behold, + Nor the monarch of Persia with jewels and gold; + All, all I despise, save the choice of my heart, + And from his beloved image I never can part. + Call him aged, or young, 'tis a fruitless endeavour + To uproot a desire I must cherish for ever; + Call him old, call him young, who can passion control? + Ever present, and loved, he entrances my soul. + 'Tis for him I exist--him I worship alone, + And my heart it must bleed till I call him my own." + +As soon as the attendants found that Rdbeh's attachment was deeply +fixed, and not to be removed, they changed their purpose, and became +obedient to her wishes, anxious to pursue any measure that might bring +Zl and their mistress together. Rdbeh was delighted with this proof +of their regard. + +It was spring-time, and the attendants repaired towards the +halting-place of Zl, in the neighborhood of the city. Their occupation +seemed to be gathering roses along the romantic banks of a pellucid +streamlet, and when they purposely strayed opposite the tent of Zl, he +observed them, and asked his friends--why they presumed to gather roses +in his garden. He was told that they were damsels sent by the moon of +Kbulistn from the palace of Mihrb to gather roses, and upon hearing +this his heart was touched with emotion. He rose up and rambled about +for amusement, keeping the direction of the river, followed by a servant +with a bow. He was not far from the damsels, when a bird sprung up from +the water, which he shot, upon the wing, with an arrow. The bird +happened to fall near the rose-gatherers, and Zl ordered his servant to +bring it to him. The attendants of Rdbeh lost not the opportunity, as +he approached them, to inquire who the archer was. "Know ye not," +answered the servant, "that this is Nm-rz, the son of Sm, and also +called Dustn, the greatest warrior ever known." At this the damsels +smiled, and said that they too belonged to a person of distinction--and +not of inferior worth--to a star in the palace of Mihrb. "We have come +from Kbul to the King of Zbulistn, and should Zl and Rdbeh be of +equal rank, her ruby lips may become acquainted with his, and their +wished-for union be effected." When the servant returned, Zl was +immediately informed of the conversation that had taken place, and in +consequence presents were prepared. + + They who to gather roses came--went back + With precious gems--and honorary robes; + And two bright finger-rings were secretly + Sent to the princess. + +Then did the attendants of Rdbeh exult in the success of their +artifice, and say that the lion had come into their toils. Rdbeh +herself, however, had some fears on the subject. She anxiously sought to +know exactly the personal appearance of Zl, and happily her warmest +hopes were realized by the description she received. But one difficulty +remained--how were they to meet? How was she to see with her own eyes +the man whom her fancy had depicted in such glowing colors? Her +attendants, sufficiently expert at intrigue, soon contrived the means of +gratifying her wishes. There was a beautiful rural retreat in a +sequestered situation, the apartments of which were adorned with +pictures of great men, and ornamented in the most splendid manner. To +this favorite place Rdbeh retired, and most magnificently dressed, +awaiting the coming of Zl, whom her attendants had previously invited +to repair thither as soon as the sun had gone down. The shadows of +evening were falling as he approached, and the enamoured princess thus +addressed him from her balcony:-- + + "May happiness attend thee ever, thou, + Whose lucid features make this gloomy night + Clear as the day; whose perfume scents the breeze; + Thou who, regardless of fatigue, hast come + On foot too, thus to see me--" + +Hearing a sweet voice, he looked up, and beheld a bright face in the +balcony, and he said to the beautiful vision:-- + + "How often have I hoped that Heaven + Would, in some secret place display + Thy charms to me, and thou hast given + My heart the wish of many a day; + For now thy gentle voice I hear, + And now I see thee--speak again! + Speak freely in a willing ear, + And every wish thou hast obtain." + +Not a word was lost upon Rdbeh, and she soon accomplished her object. +Her hair was so luxuriant, and of such a length, that casting it loose +it flowed down from the balcony; and, after fastening the upper part to +a ring, she requested Zl to take hold of the other end and mount up. He +ardently kissed the musky tresses, and by them quickly ascended. + + Then hand in hand within the chambers they + Gracefully passed.--Attractive was the scene, + The walls embellished by the painter's skill, + And every object exquisitely formed, + Sculpture, and architectural ornament, + Fit for a king. Zl with amazement gazed + Upon what art had done, but more he gazed + Upon the witching radiance of his love, + Upon her tulip cheeks, her musky locks, + Breathing the sweetness of a summer garden; + Upon the sparkling brightness of her rings, + Necklace, and bracelets, glittering on her arms. + His mien too was majestic--on his head + He wore a ruby crown, and near his breast + Was seen a belted dagger. Fondly she + With side-long glances marked his noble aspect, + The fine proportions of his graceful limbs, + His strength and beauty. Her enamoured heart + Suffused her cheek with blushes, every glance + Increased the ardent transports of her soul. + So mild was his demeanour, he appeared + A gentle lion toying with his prey. + Long they remained rapt in admiration + Of each other. At length the warrior rose, + And thus addressed her: "It becomes not us + To be forgetful of the path of prudence, + Though love would dictate a more ardent course, + How oft has Sm, my father, counselled me, + Against unseeming thoughts,--unseemly deeds,-- + Always to choose the right, and shun the wrong. + How will he burn with anger when he hears + This new adventure; how will Minchihr + Indignantly reproach me for this dream! + This waking dream of rapture! but I call + High Heaven to witness what I now declare-- + Whoever may oppose my sacred vows, + I still am thine, affianced thine, for ever." + + And thus Rdbeh: "Thou hast won my heart, + And kings may sue in vain; to thee devoted, + Thou art alone my warrior and my love." + Thus they exclaimed,--then Zl with fond adieus + Softly descended from the balcony, + And hastened to his tent. + +As speedily as possible he assembled together his counsellors and Mbids +to obtain their advice on the present extraordinary occasion, and he +represented to them the sacred importance of encouraging matrimonial +alliances. + + For marriage is a contract sealed by Heaven-- + How happy is the Warrior's lot, amidst + His smiling children; when he dies, his son + Succeeds him, and enjoys his rank and name. + And is it not a glorious thing to say-- + This is the son of Zl, or this of Sm, + The heir of his renowned progenitor? + +He then related to them the story of his love and affection for the +daughter of Mihrb; but the Mbids, well knowing that the chief of Kbul +was of the family of Zohk, the serpent-king, did not approve the union +desired, which excited the indignation of Zl. They, however, +recommended his writing a letter to Sm, who might, if he thought +proper, refer the matter to Minchihr. The letter was accordingly +written and despatched, and when Sm received it, he immediately +referred the question to his astrologers, to know whether the nuptials, +if solemnized between Zl and Rdbeh, would be prosperous or not. They +foretold that the nuptials would be prosperous, and that the issue would +be a son of wonderful strength and power, the conqueror of the world. +This announcement delighted the heart of the old warrior, and he sent +the messenger back with the assurance of his approbation of the proposed +union, but requested that the subject might be kept concealed till he +returned with his army from the expedition to Karugsr, and was able to +consult with Minchihr. + +Zl, exulting at his success, communicated the glad tidings to Rdbeh +by their female emissary, who had hitherto carried on successfully the +correspondence between them. But as she was conveying an answer to this +welcome news, and some presents to Zl, Sndokht, the mother of Rdbeh, +detected her, and, examining the contents of the packet, she found +sufficient evidence, she thought, of something wrong. + + "What treachery is this? What have we here! + Sirbund and male attire? Thou, wretch, confess! + Disclose thy secret doings." + +The emissary, however, betrayed nothing; but declared that she was a +dealer in jewels and dresses, and had been only showing her merchandise +to Rdbeh. Sndokht, in extreme agitation of mind, hastened to her +daughter's apartment to ascertain the particulars of this affair, when +Rdbeh at once fearlessly acknowledged her unalterable affection for +Zl, + + "I love him so devotedly, all day, + All night my tears have flowed unceasingly; + And one hair of his head I prize more dearly + Than all the world beside; for him I live; + And we have met, and we have sat together, + And pledged our mutual love with mutual joy + And innocence of heart." + +Rdbeh further informed her of Sm's consent to their nuptials, which +in some degree satisfied the mother. But when Mihrb was made acquainted +with the arrangement, his rage was unbounded, for he dreaded the +resentment of Sm and Minchihr when the circumstances became fully +known to them. Trembling with indignation he drew his dagger, and would +have instantly rushed to Rdbeh's chamber to destroy her, had not +Sndokht fallen at his feet and restrained him. He insisted, however, on +her being brought before him; and upon his promise not to do her any +harm, Sndokht complied. Rdbeh disdained to take off her ornaments to +appear as an offender and a supplicant, but, proud of her choice, went +into her father's presence, gayly adorned with jewels, and in splendid +apparel. Mihrb received her with surprise. + + "Why all this glittering finery? Is the devil + United to an angel? When a snake + Is met with in Arabia, it is killed!" + +But Rdbeh answered not a word, and was permitted to retire with her +mother. + +When Minchihr was apprised of the proceedings between Zl and Rdbeh, +he was deeply concerned, anticipating nothing but confusion and ruin to +Persia from the united influence of Zl and Mihrb. Feridn had purified +the world from the abominations of Zohk, and as Mihrb was a descendant +of that merciless tyrant, he feared that some attempt would be made to +resume the enormities of former times; Sm was therefore required to +give his advice on the occasion. + +The conqueror of Karugsr and Mzindern was received on his return with +cordial rejoicings, and he charmed the king with the story of his +triumphant success. The monarch against whom he had fought was +descended, on the mother's side, from Zohk, and his Demon army was more +numerous than ants, or clouds of locusts, covering mountain and plain. +Sm thus proceeded in his description of the conflict. + + "And when he heard my voice, and saw what deeds + I had performed, approaching me, he threw + His noose; but downward bending I escaped, + And with my bow I showered upon his head + Steel-pointed arrows, piercing through the brain; + Then did I grasp his loins, and from his horse + Cast him upon the ground, deprived of life. + At this, the demons terrified and pale, + Shrunk back, some flying to the mountain wilds, + And others, taken on the battle-field, + Became obedient to the Persian king." + +Minchihr, gratified by this result of the expedition, appointed Sm to +a new enterprise, which was to destroy Kbul by fire and sword, +especially the house of Mihrb; and that ruler, of the serpent-race, and +all his adherents were to be put to death. Sm, before he took leave to +return to his own government at Zbul, tried to dissuade him from this +violent exercise of revenge, but without making any sensible impression +upon him. + +Meanwhile the vindictive intentions of Minchihr, which were soon known +at Kbul, produced the greatest alarm and consternation in the family of +Mihrb. Zl now returned to his father, and Sm sent a letter to +Minchihr, again to deprecate his wrath, and appointed Zl the +messenger. In this letter Sm enumerates his services at Karugsr and +Mzindern, and especially dwells upon the destruction of a prodigious +dragon. + + "I am thy servant, and twice sixty years + Have seen my prowess. Mounted on my steed, + Wielding my battle-axe, overthrowing heroes, + Who equals Sm, the warrior? I destroyed + The mighty monster, whose devouring jaws + Unpeopled half the land, and spread dismay + From town to town. The world was full of horror, + No bird was seen in air, no beast of prey + In plain or forest; from the stream he drew + The crocodile; the eagle from the sky. + The country had no habitant alive, + And when I found no human being left, + I cast away all fear, and girt my loins, + And in the name of God went boldly forth, + Armed for the strife. I saw him towering rise, + Huge as a mountain, with his hideous hair + Dragging upon the ground; his long black tongue + Shut up the path; his eyes two lakes of blood; + And, seeing me, so horrible his roar, + The earth shook with affright, and from his mouth + A flood of poison issued. Like a lion + Forward I sprang, and in a moment drove + A diamond-pointed arrow through his tongue, + Fixing him to the ground. Another went + Down his deep throat, and dreadfully he writhed. + A third passed through his middle. Then I raised + My battle-axe, cow-headed, and with one + Tremendous blow, dislodged his venomous brain, + And deluged all around with blood and poison. + There lay the monster dead, and soon the world + Regained its peace and comfort. Now I'm old, + The vigour of my youth is past and gone, + And it becomes me to resign my station, + To Zl, my gallant son." + +Mihrb continued in such extreme agitation, that in his own mind he saw +no means of avoiding the threatened desolation of his country but by +putting his wife and daughter to death. Sndokht however had a better +resource, and suggested the expediency of waiting upon Sm herself, to +induce him to forward her own views and the nuptials between Zl and +Rdbeh. To this Mihrb assented, and she proceeded, mounted on a richly +caparisoned horse, to Zbul with most magnificent presents, consisting +of three hundred thousand dnars; ten horses with golden, and thirty +with silver, housings; sixty richly attired damsels, carrying golden +trays of jewels and musk, and camphor, and wine, and sugar; forty pieces +of figured cloth; a hundred milch camels, and a hundred others for +burden; two hundred Indian swords, a golden crown and throne, and four +elephants. Sm was amazed and embarrassed by the arrival of this +splendid array. If he accepted the presents, he would incur the anger of +Minchihr; and if he rejected them, Zl would be disappointed and driven +to despair. He at length accepted them, and concurred in the wishes of +Sndokht respecting the union of the two lovers. + +When Zl arrived at the court of Minchihr, he was received with honor, +and the letter of Sm being read, the king was prevailed upon to consent +to the pacific proposals that were made in favor of Mihrb, and the +nuptials. He too consulted his astrologers, and was informed that the +offspring of Zl and Rdbeh would be a hero of matchless strength and +valor. Zl, on his return through Kbul, had an interview with Rdbeh, +who welcomed him in the most rapturous terms:-- + + Be thou for ever blest, for I adore thee, + And make the dust of thy fair feet my pillow. + +In short, with the approbation of all parties the marriage at length +took place, and was celebrated at the beautiful summer-house where first +the lovers met. Sm was present at Kbul on the happy occasion, and soon +afterwards returned to Sstn, preparatory to resuming his martial +labors in Karugsr and Mzindern. + +As the time drew near that Rdbeh should become a mother, she suffered +extremely from constant indisposition, and both Zl and Sndokht were in +the deepest distress on account of her precarious state. + + The cypress leaf was withering; pale she lay, + Unsoothed by rest or sleep, death seemed approaching. + +At last Zl recollected the feather of the Smrgh, and followed the +instructions which he had received, by placing it on the fire. In a +moment darkness surrounded them, which was, however, immediately +dispersed by the sudden appearance of the Smrgh. "Why," said the +Smrgh, "do I see all this grief and sorrow? Why are the tear-drops in +the warrior's eyes? A child will be born of mighty power, who will +become the wonder of the world." + +The Smrgh then gave some advice which was implicitly attended to, and +the result was that Rdbeh was soon out of danger. Never was beheld so +prodigious a child. The father and mother were equally amazed. They +called the boy Rustem. On the first day he looked a year old, and he +required the milk of ten nurses. A likeness of him was immediately +worked in silk, representing him upon a horse, and armed like a warrior, +which was sent to Sm, who was then fighting in Mzindern, and it made +the old champion almost delirious with joy. At Kbul and Zbul there was +nothing but feasting and rejoicing, as soon as the tidings were known, +and thousands of dnars were given away in charity to the poor. When +Rustem was five years of age, he ate as much as a man, and some say that +even in his third year he rode on horseback. In his eighth year he was +as powerful as any hero of the time. + + In beauty of form and in vigour of limb, + No mortal was ever seen equal to him. + +Both Sm and Mihrb, though far distant from the scene of felicity, were +equally anxious to proceed to Zbulistn to behold their wonderful +grandson. Both set off, but Mihrb arrived first with great pomp, and a +whole army for his suite, and went forth with Zl to meet Sm, and give +him an honorable welcome. The boy Rustem was mounted on an elephant, +wearing a splendid crown, and wanted to join them, but his father kindly +prevented him undergoing the inconvenience of alighting. Zl and Mihrb +dismounted as soon as Sm was seen at a distance, and performed the +ceremonies of an affectionate reception. Sm was indeed amazed when he +did see the boy, and showered blessings on his head. + +Afterwards Sm placed Mihrb on his right hand, and Zl on his left, and +Rustem before him, and began to converse with his grandson, who thus +manifested to him his martial disposition. + + "Thou art the champion of the world, and I + The branch of that fair tree of which thou art + The glorious root: to thee I am devoted, + But ease and leisure have no charms for me; + Nor music, nor the songs of festive joy. + Mounted and armed, a helmet on my brow, + A javelin in my grasp, I long to meet + The foe, and cast his severed head before thee." + +Then Sm made a royal feast, and every apartment in his palace was +richly decorated, and resounded with mirth and rejoicing. Mihrb was the +merriest, and drank the most, and in his cups saw nothing but himself, +so vain had he become from the countenance he had received. He kept +saying:-- + + "Now I feel no alarm about Sm or Zl-zer, + Nor the splendour and power of the great Minchihr; + Whilst aided by Rustem, his sword, and his mace, + Not a cloud of misfortune can shadow my face. + All the laws of Zohk I will quickly restore, + And the world shall be fragrant and blest as before." + +This exultation plainly betrayed the disposition of his race; and though +Sm smiled at the extravagance of Mihrb, he looked up towards Heaven, +and prayed that Rustem might not prove a tyrant, but be continually +active in doing good, and humble before God. + +Upon Sm departing, on his return to Karugsr and Mzindern, Zl went +with Rustem to Sstn, a province dependent on his government, and +settled him there. The white elephant, belonging to Minchihr, was kept +at Sstn. One night Rustem was awakened out of his sleep by a great +noise, and cries of distress when starting up and inquiring the cause, +he was told that the white elephant had got loose, and was trampling and +crushing the people to death. In a moment he issued from his apartment, +brandishing his mace; but was soon stopped by the servants, who were +anxious to expostulate with him against venturing out in the darkness of +night to encounter a ferocious elephant. Impatient at being thus +interrupted he knocked down one of the watchmen, who fell dead at his +feet, and the others running away, he broke the lock of the gate, and +escaped. He immediately opposed himself to the enormous animal, which +looked like a mountain, and kept roaring like the River Nil. Regarding +him with a cautious and steady eye, he gave a loud shout, and fearlessly +struck him a blow, with such strength and vigor, that the iron mace was +bent almost double. The elephant trembled, and soon fell exhausted and +lifeless in the dust. When it was communicated to Zl that Rustem had +killed the animal with one blow, he was amazed, and fervently returned +thanks to heaven. He called him to him, and kissed him, and said: "My +darling boy, thou art indeed unequalled in valor and magnanimity." + +Then it occurred to Zl that Rustem, after such an achievement, would be +a proper person to take vengeance on the enemies of his grandfather +Narmn, who was sent by Feridn with a large army against an enchanted +fort situated upon the mountain Sipund, and who whilst endeavoring to +effect his object, was killed by a piece of rock thrown down from above +by the besieged. The fort[7], which was many miles high, inclosed +beautiful lawns of the freshest verdure, and delightful gardens +abounding with fruit and flowers; it was also full of treasure. Sm, on +hearing of the fate of his father, was deeply afflicted, and in a short +time proceeded against the fort himself; but he was surrounded by a +trackless desert. He knew not what course to pursue; not a being was +ever seen to enter or come out of the gates, and, after spending months +and years in fruitless endeavors, he was compelled to retire from the +appalling enterprise in despair. "Now," said Zl to Rustem, "the time is +come, and the remedy is at hand; thou art yet unknown, and may easily +accomplish our purpose." Rustem agreed to the proposed adventure, and +according to his father's advice, assumed the dress and character of a +salt-merchant, prepared a caravan of camels, and secreted arms for +himself and companions among the loads of salt. Everything being ready +they set off, and it was not long before they reached the fort on the +mountain Sipund. Salt being a precious article, and much wanted, as soon +as the garrison knew that it was for sale, the gates were opened; and +then was Rustem seen, together with his warriors, surrounded by men, +women, and children, anxiously making their purchases, some giving +clothes in exchange, some gold, and some silver, without fear or +suspicion. + + But when the night came on, and it was dark, + Rustem impatient drew his warriors forth, + And moved towards the mansion of the chief-- + But not unheard. The unaccustomed noise, + Announcing warlike menace and attack, + Awoke the Kotwl, who sprung up to meet + The peril threatened by the invading foe. + Rustem meanwhile uplifts his ponderous mace, + And cleaves his head, and scatters on the ground + The reeking brains. And now the garrison + Are on the alert, all hastening to the spot + Where battle rages; midst the deepened gloom + Flash sparkling swords, which show the crimson earth + Bright as the ruby. + +Rustem continued fighting with the people of the fort all night, and +just as morning dawned, he discovered the chief and slew him. Those who +survived, then escaped, and not one of the inhabitants remained within +the walls alive. Rustem's next object was to enter the governor's +mansion. It was built of stone, and the gate, which was made of iron, he +burst open with his battle-axe, and advancing onward, he discovered a +temple, constructed with infinite skill and science, beyond the power of +mortal man, and which contained amazing wealth, in jewels and gold. All +the warriors gathered for themselves as much treasure as they could +carry away, and more than imagination can conceive; and Rustem wrote to +Zl to know his further commands on the subject of the capture. Zl, +overjoyed at the result of the enterprise, replied: + + Thou hast illumed the soul of Narmn, + Now in the blissful bowers of Paradise, + By punishing his foes with fire and sword. + +He then recommended him to load all the camels with as much of the +invaluable property as could be removed, and bring it away, and then +burn and destroy the whole place, leaving not a single vestige; and the +command having been strictly complied with, Rustem retraced his steps to +Zbulistn. + + On his return Zl pressed him to his heart, + And paid him public honors. The fond mother + Kissed and embraced her darling son, and all + Uniting, showered their blessings on his head. + + + +DEATH OF MINCHIHR + + To Minchihr we now must turn again, + And mark the close of his illustrious reign. + +The king had flourished one hundred and twenty years, when now the +astrologers ascertained that the period of his departure from this life +was at hand. + + They told him of that day of bitterness, + Which would obscure the splendour of his throne; + And said--"The time approaches, thou must go, + Doubtless to Heaven. Think what thou hast to do; + And be it done before the damp cold earth + Inshrine thy body. Let not sudden death + O'ertake thee, ere thou art prepared to die!" + Warned by the wise, he called his courtiers round him, + And thus he counselled Nauder:--"O, my son! + Fix not thy heart upon a regal crown, + For this vain world is fleeting as the wind; + The pain and sorrows of twice sixty years + Have I endured, though happiness and joy + Have also been my portion. I have fought + In many a battle, vanquished many a foe; + By Feridn's commands I girt my loins, + And his advice has ever been my guide. + I hurled just vengeance on the tyrant-brothers + Slim and Tr, who slew the gentle Irij; + And cities have I built, and made the tree + Which yielded poison, teem with wholesome fruit. + And now to thee the kingdom I resign, + That kingdom which belonged to Feridn, + And thou wilt be the sovereign of the world! + But turn not from the worship of thy God, + That sacred worship Moses taught, the best + Of all the prophets; turn not from the path + Of purest holiness, thy father's choice. + + "My son, events of peril are before thee; + Thy enemy will come in fierce array, + From the wild mountains of Trn, the son + Of Poshang, the invader. In that hour + Of danger, seek the aid of Sm and Zl, + And that young branch just blossoming; Trn + Will then have no safe buckler of defence, + None to protect it from their conquering arms." + + Thus spoke the sire prophetic to his son, + And both were moved to tears. Again the king + Resumed his warning voice: "Nauder, I charge thee + Place not thy trust upon a world like this, + Where nothing fixed remains. The caravan + Goes to another city, one to-day, + The next, to-morrow, each observes its turn + And time appointed--mine has come at last, + And I must travel on the destined road." + +At the period Minchihr uttered this exhortation, he was entirely free +from indisposition, but he shortly afterwards closed his eyes in death. + + + +NAUDER + +Upon the demise of Minchihr, Nauder ascended the throne, and commenced +his reign in the most promising manner; but before two months had +passed, he neglected the counsels of his father, and betrayed the +despotic character of his heart. To such an extreme did he carry his +oppression, that to escape from his violence, the people were induced to +solicit other princes to come and take possession of the empire. The +courtiers labored under the greatest embarrassment, their monarch being +solely occupied in extorting money from his subjects, and amassing +wealth for his own coffers. Nauder was not long in perceiving the +dissatisfaction that universally prevailed, and, anticipating, not only +an immediate revolt, but an invading army, solicited, according to his +father's advice, the assistance of Sm, then at Mzindern. The +complaints of the people, however, reached Sm before the arrival of the +messenger, and when he received the letter, he was greatly distressed on +account of the extreme severity exercised by the new king. The champion, +in consequence, proceeded forthwith from Mzindern to Persia, and when +he entered the capital, he was joyously welcomed, and at once entreated +by the people to take the sovereignty upon himself. It was said of +Nauder: + + The gloom of tyranny has hid + The light his father's counsel gave; + The hope of life is lost amid + The desolation of the grave. + The world is withering in his thrall, + Exhausted by his iron sway; + Do thou ascend the throne, and all + Will cheerfully thy will obey. + +But Sm said, "No; I should then be ungrateful to Minchihr, a traitor, +and deservedly offensive in the eyes of God. Nauder is the king, and I +am bound to do him service, although he has deplorably departed from the +advice of his father." He then soothed the alarm and irritation of the +chiefs, and engaging to be a mediator upon the unhappy occasion, brought +them to a more pacific tone of thinking. After this he immediately +repaired to Nauder, who received him with great favor and kindness. "O +king," said he, "only keep Feridn in remembrance, and govern the empire +in such a manner that thy name may be honored by thy subjects; for, be +well assured, that he who has a just estimate of the world, will never +look upon it as his place of rest. It is but an inn, where all +travellers meet on their way to eternity, but must not remain. The wise +consider those who fix their affections on this life, as utterly devoid +of reason and reflection: + + "Pleasure, and pomp, and wealth may be obtained-- + And every want luxuriously supplied: + But suddenly, without a moment's warning, + Death comes, and hurls the monarch from his throne, + His crown and sceptre scattering in the dust. + He who is satisfied with earthly joys, + Can never know the blessedness of Heaven; + His soul must still be dark. Why do the good + Suffer in this world, but to be prepared + For future rest and happiness? The name + Of Feridn is honoured among men, + Whilst curses load the memory of Zohk." + +This intercession of Sm produced an entire change in the government of +Nauder, who promised, in future, to rule his people according to the +principles of Hsheng, and Feridn, and Minchihr. The chiefs and +captains of the army were, in consequence, contented, and the kingdom +reunited itself under his sway. + +In the meantime, however, the news of the death of Minchihr, together +with Nauder's injustice and seventy, and the disaffection of his people, +had reached Trn, of which country Poshang, a descendant from Tr, was +then the sovereign. Poshang, who had been unable to make a single +successful hostile movement during the life of Minchihr, at once +conceived this to be a fit opportunity of taking revenge for the blood +of Slim and Tr, and every appearance seeming to be in his favor, he +called before him his heroic son Afrsiyb, and explained to him his +purpose and views. It was not difficult to inspire the youthful mind of +Afrsiyb with the sentiments he himself cherished, and a large army was +immediately collected to take the field against Nauder. Poshang was +proud of the chivalrous spirit and promptitude displayed by his son, who +is said to have been as strong as a lion, or an elephant, and whose +shadow extended miles. His tongue was like a bright sword, and his heart +as bounteous as the ocean, and his hands like the clouds when rain falls +to gladden the thirsty earth. Aghrras, the brother of Afrsiyb, +however, was not so precipitate. He cautioned his father to be prudent, +for though Persia could no longer boast of the presence of Minchihr, +still the great warrior Sm, and Krun, and Garshsp, were living, and +Poshang had only to look at the result of the wars in which Slim and +Tr were involved, to be convinced that the existing conjuncture +required mature deliberation. "It would be better," said he, "not to +begin the contest at all, than to bring ruin and desolation on our own +country." Poshang, on the contrary, thought the time peculiarly fit and +inviting, and contended that, as Minchihr took vengeance for the blood +of his grandfather, so ought Afrsiyb to take vengeance for his. "The +grandson," he said, "who refuses to do this act of justice, is unworthy +of his family. There is nothing to apprehend from the efforts of Nauder, +who is an inexperienced youth, nor from the valor of his warriors. +Afrsiyb is brave and powerful in war, and thou must accompany him and +share the glory." After this no further observation was offered, and the +martial preparations were completed. + + + +AFRSIYB MARCHES AGAINST NAUDER + +The brazen drums on the elephants were sounded as the signal of +departure, and the army proceeded rapidly to its destination, +overshadowing the earth in its progress. Afrsiyb had penetrated as far +as the Jihn before Nauder was aware of his approach. Upon receiving +this intelligence of the activity of the enemy, the warriors of the +Persian army immediately moved in that direction, and on their arrival +at Dehstn, prepared for battle. + +Afrsiyb despatched thirty thousand of his troops under the command of +Shimass and Khazervn to Zbulistn, to act against Zl, having heard +on his march of the death of the illustrious Sm, and advanced himself +upon Dehstn with four hundred thousand soldiers, covering the ground +like swarms of ants and locusts. He soon discovered that Nauder's forces +did not exceed one hundred and forty thousand men, and wrote to Poshang, +his father, in high spirits, especially on account of not having to +contend against Sm, the warrior, and informed him that he had detached +Shimass against Zbulistn. When the armies had approached to within +two leagues of each other, Brmn, one of the Trnian chiefs, offered +to challenge any one of the enemy to single combat: but Aghrras +objected to it, not wishing that so valuable a hero should run the +hazard of discomfiture. At this Afrsiyb was very indignant and +directed Brmn to follow the bent of his own inclinations. + + "'Tis not for us to shrink from Persian foe, + Put on thy armour, and prepare thy bow." + +Accordingly the challenge was given. Krun looked round, and the only +person who answered the call was the aged Kobd, his brother. Krun and +Kobd were both sons of Kavah, the blacksmith, and both leaders in the +Persian army. No persuasion could restrain Kobd from the unequal +conflict. He resisted all the entreaties of Krun, who said to him-- + + "O, should thy hoary locks be stained with blood, + Thy legions will be overwhelmed with grief, + And, in despair, decline the coming battle." + But what was the reply of brave Kobd? + "Brother, this body, this frail tenement, + Belongs to death. No living man has ever + Gone up to Heaven--for all are doomed to die.-- + Some by the sword, the dagger, or the spear, + And some, devoured by roaring beasts of prey; + Some peacefully upon their beds, and others + Snatched suddenly from life, endure the lot + Ordained by the Creator. If I perish, + Does not my brother live, my noble brother, + To bury me beneath a warrior's tomb, + And bless my memory?" + +Saying this, he rushed forward, and the two warriors met in desperate +conflict. The struggle lasted all day; at last Brmn threw a stone at +his antagonist with such force, that Kobd in receiving the blow fell +lifeless from his horse. When Krun saw that his brother was slain, he +brought forward his whole army to be revenged for the death of Kobd. +Afrsiyb himself advanced to the charge, and the encounter was +dreadful. The soldiers who fell among the Trnians could not be +numbered, but the Persians lost fifty thousand men. + + Loud neighed the steeds, and their resounding hoofs. + Shook the deep caverns of the earth; the dust + Rose up in clouds and hid the azure heavens-- + Bright beamed the swords, and in that carnage wide, + Blood flowed like water. Night alone divided + The hostile armies. + +When the battle ceased Krun fell back upon Dehstn, and communicated +his misfortune to Nauder, who lamented the loss of Kobd, even more than +that of Sm. In the morning Krun again took the field against +Afrsiyb, and the conflict was again terrible. Nauder boldly opposed +himself to the enemy, and singling out Afrsiyb, the two heroes fought +with great bravery till night again put an end to the engagement. The +Persian army had suffered most, and Nauder retired to his tent +disappointed, fatigued, and sorrowful. He then called to mind the words +of Minchihr, and called for his two sons, Ts and Gustahem. With +melancholy forebodings he directed them to return to Irn, with his +shubistn, or domestic establishment, and take refuge on the mountain +Alberz, in the hope that some one of the race of Feridn might survive +the general ruin which seemed to be approaching. + +The armies rested two days. On the third the reverberating noise of +drums and trumpets announced the recommencement of the battle. On the +Persian side Shahpr had been appointed in the room of Kobd, and Brmn +and Shwz led the right and left of the Trnians under Afrsiyb. + + From dawn to sunset, mountain, plain, and stream, + Were hid from view; the earth, beneath the tread + Of myriads, groaned; and when the javelins cast + Long shadows on the plain at even-tide, + The Tartar host had won the victory; + And many a Persian chief fell on that day:-- + Shahpr himself was slain. + +When Nauder and Krun saw the unfortunate result of the battle, they +again fell back upon Dehstn, and secured themselves in the fort. +Afrsiyb in the meantime despatched Karkhn to Irn, through the +desert, with a body of horsemen, for the purpose of intercepting and +capturing the shubistn of Nauder. As soon as Krun heard of this +expedition he was all on fire, and proposed to pursue the squadron under +Karkhn, and frustrate at once the object which the enemy had in view; +and though Nauder was unfavorable to this movement, Krun, supported by +several of the chiefs and a strong volunteer force, set off at midnight, +without permission, on this important enterprise. It was not long before +they reached the Duz-i-Supd, or white fort, of which Gustahem was the +governor, and falling in with Brmn, who was also pushing forward to +Persia, Krun, in revenge for his brother Kobd, sought him out, and +dared him to single combat. He threw his javelin with such might, that +his antagonist was driven furiously from his horse; and then, +dismounting, he cut off his head, and hung it at his saddle-bow. After +this he attacked and defeated the Tartar troops, and continued his march +towards Irn. + +Nauder having found that Krun had departed, immediately followed, and +Afrsiyb was not long in pursuing him. The Trnians at length came up +with Nauder, and attacked him with great vigor. The unfortunate king, +unable to parry the onset, fell into the hands of his enemies, together +with upwards of one thousand of his famous warriors. + + Long fought they, Nauder and the Tartar-chief, + And the thick dust which rose from either host, + Darkened the rolling Heavens. Afrsiyb + Seized by the girdle-belt the Persian king, + And furious, dragged him from his foaming horse. + With him a thousand warriors, high in name, + Were taken on the field; and every legion, + Captured whilst flying from the victor's brand. + + Such are the freaks of Fortune: friend and foe + Alternate wear the crown. The world itself + Is an ingenious juggler--every moment + Playing some novel trick; exalting one + In pomp and splendour, crushing down another, + As if in sport,--and death the end of all! + +After the achievement of this victory Afrsiyb directed that Krun +should be pursued and attacked wherever he might be found; but when he +heard that he had hurried on for the protection of the shubistn, and +had conquered and slain Brmn, he gnawed his hands with rage. The reign +of Nauder lasted only seven years. After him Afrsiyb was the master of +Persia. + + + +AFRSIYB + +It has already been said that Shimass and Khazervn were sent by +Afrsiyb with thirty thousand men against Kbul and Zbul, and when Zl +heard of this movement he forthwith united with Mihrb the chief of +Kbul, and having first collected a large army in Sstn, had a conflict +with the two Tartar generals. + + Zl promptly donned himself in war attire, + And, mounted like a hero, to the field + Hastened, his soldiers frowning on their steeds. + Now Khazervn grasps his huge battle-axe, + And, his broad shield extending, at one blow + Shivers the mail of Zl, who calls aloud + As, like a lion, to the fight he springs, + Armed with his father's mace. Sternly he looks + And with the fury of a dragon, drives + The weapon through his adversary's head, + Staining the ground with streaks of blood, resembling + The waving stripes upon a tiger's back. + +At this time Rustem was confined at home with the smallpox. Upon the +death of Khazervn, Shimass thirsted to be revenged; but when Zl +meeting him raised his mace, and began to close, the chief became +alarmed and turned back, and all his squadrons followed his example. + + Fled Shimass, and all his fighting train, + Like herds by tempests scattered o'er the plain. + +Zl set off in pursuit, and slew a great number of the enemy; but when +Afrsiyb was made acquainted with this defeat, he immediately released +Nauder from his fetters, and in his rage instantly deprived him of life. + + He struck him and so deadly was the blow, + Breath left the body in a moment's space. + +After this Afrsiyb turned his views towards Ts and Gustahem in the +hope of getting them into his hands; but as soon as they received +intimation of his object, the two brothers retired from Irn, and went +to Sstn to live under the protection of Zl. The champion received +them with due respect and honor. Krun also went, with all the warriors +and people who had been supported by Nauder, and co-operated with Zl, +who encouraged them with the hopes of future success. Zl, however, +considered that both Ts and Gustahem were still of a tender age--that a +monarch of extraordinary wisdom and energy was required to oppose +Afrsiyb--that he himself was not of the blood of the Kais, nor fit for +the duties of sovereignty, and, therefore, he turned his thoughts +towards Aghrras, the younger brother of Afrsiyb, distinguished as he +was for his valor, prudence, and humanity, and to whom Poshang, his +father, had given the government of Ra. To him Zl sent an envoy, +saying, that if he would proceed to Sstn, he should be supplied with +ample resources to place him on the throne of Persia; that by the +co-operation of Zl and all his warriors the conquest would be easy, and +that there would be no difficulty in destroying the power of Afrsiyb. +Aghrras accepted the offer, and immediately proceeded from his kingdom +of Ra towards Sstn. On his arrival at Bbel, Afrsiyb heard of his +ambitious plans, and lost no time in assembling his army and marching to +arrest the progress of his brother. Aghrras, unable to sustain a +battle, had recourse to negotiation and a conference, in which Afrsiyb +said to him, "What rebellious conduct is this, of which thou art guilty? +Is not the country of Ra sufficient for thee, that thou art thus +aspiring to be a great king?" Aghrras replied: "Why reproach and insult +me thus? Art thou not ashamed to accuse another of rebellious conduct? + + "Shame might have held thy tongue; reprove not me + In bitterness; God did not give thee power + To injure man, and surely not thy kin." + Afrsiyb, enraged at this reproof, + Replied by a foul deed--he grasped his sword, + And with remorseless fury slew his brother! + +When intelligence of this cruel catastrophe came to Zl's ears, he +exclaimed: "Now indeed has the empire of Afrsiyb arrived at its +crisis: + + "Yes, yes, the tyrant's throne is tottering now, + And past is all his glory." + +Then Zl bound his loins in hostility against Afrsiyb, and gathering +together all his warriors, resolved upon taking revenge for the death of +Nauder, and expelling the tyrant from Persia. Neither Ts nor Gustahem +being yet capable of sustaining the cares and duties of the throne, his +anxiety was to obtain the assistance of some one of the race of Feridn. + + These youths were for imperial rule unfit: + A king of royal lineage and worth + The state required, and none could he remember + Save Tahmasp's son, descended from the blood + Of Feridn. + + + +ZAU + +At the time when Slim and Tr were killed, Tahmasp, the son of Slim, +fled from the country and took refuge in an island, where he died, and +left a son named Zau. Zl sent Krun, the son of Kavah, attended by a +proper escort, with overtures to Zau, who readily complied, and was +under favorable circumstances seated upon the throne: + + Speedily, in arms, + He led his troops to Persia, fought, and won + A kingdom, by his power and bravery-- + And happy was the day when princely Zau + Was placed upon that throne of sovereignty; + All breathed their prayers upon his future reign, + And o'er his head (the customary rite) + Shower'd gold and jewels. + +When he had subdued the country, he turned his arms against Afrsiyb, +who in consequence of losing the co-operation of the Persians, and not +being in a state to encounter a superior force, thought it prudent to +retreat, and return to his father. The reign of Zau lasted five years, +after which he died, and was succeeded by his son Garshsp. + + + +GARSHSP + +Garshsp, whilst in his minority, being unacquainted with the affairs of +government, abided in all things by the judgment and counsels of Zl. +When Afrsiyb arrived at Trn, his father was in great distress and +anger on account of the inhuman murder of Aghrras; and so exceedingly +did he grieve, that he would not endure his presence. + + And when Afrsiyb returned, his sire, + Poshang, in grief, refused to see his face. + To him the day of happiness and joy + Had been obscured by the dark clouds of night; + And thus he said: "Why didst thou, why didst _thou_ + In power supreme, without pretence of guilt, + With thy own hand his precious life destroy? + Why hast thou shed thy innocent brother's blood? + In this life thou art nothing now to me; + Away, I must not see thy face again." + +Afrsiyb continued offensive and despicable in the mind of his father +till he heard that Garshsp was unequal to rule over Persia, and then +thinking he could turn the warlike spirit of Afrsiyb to advantage, he +forgave the crime of his son. He forthwith collected an immense army, +and sent him again to effect the conquest of Irn, under the pretext of +avenging the death of Slim and Tr. + + Afrsiyb a mighty army raised, + And passing plain and river, mountain high, + And desert wild, filled all the Persian realm + With consternation, universal dread. + +The chief authorities of the country applied to Zl as their only remedy +against the invasion of Afrsiyb. + + They said to Zl, "How easy is the task + For thee to grasp the world--then, since thou canst + Afford us succour, yield the blessing now; + For, lo! the King Afrsiyb has come, + In all his power and overwhelming might." + +Zl replied that he had on this occasion appointed Rustem to command the +army, and to oppose the invasion of Afrsiyb. + + And thus the warrior Zl to Rustem spoke-- + "Strong as an elephant thou art, my son, + Surpassing thy companions, and I now + Forewarn thee that a difficult emprize, + Hostile to ease or sleep, demands thy care. + 'Tis true, of battles thou canst nothing know, + But what am I to do? This is no time + For banquetting, and yet thy lips still breathe + The scent of milk, a proof of infancy; + Thy heart pants after gladness and the sweet + Endearments of domestic life; can I + Then send thee to the war to cope with heroes + Burning with wrath and vengeance?" Rustem said-- + "Mistake me not, I have no wish, not I, + For soft endearments, nor domestic life, + Nor home-felt joys. This chest, these nervous limbs, + Denote far other objects of pursuit, + Than a luxurious life of ease and pleasure." + +Zl having taken great pains in the instruction of Rustem in warlike +exercises, and the rules of battle, found infinite aptitude in the boy, +and his activity and skill seemed to be superior to his own. He thanked +God for the comfort it gave him, and was glad. Then Rustem asked his +father for a suitable mace; and seeing the huge weapon which was borne +by the great Sm, he took it up, and it answered his purpose exactly. + + When the young hero saw the mace of Sm + He smiled with pleasure, and his heart rejoiced; + And paying homage to his father Zl, + The champion of the age, asked for a steed + Of corresponding power, that he might use + That famous club with added force and vigor. + +Zl showed him all the horses in his possession, and Rustem tried many, +but found not one of sufficient strength to suit him. At last his eyes +fell upon a mare followed by a foal of great promise, beauty, and +strength. + + Seeing that foal, whose bright and glossy skin + Was dappled o'er, like blossoms of the rose + Upon a saffron lawn, Rustem prepared + His noose, and held it ready in his hand. + +The groom recommended him to secure the foal, as it was the offspring of +Abresh, born of a Dw, or Demon, and called Rakush. The dam had killed +several persons who attempted to seize her young one. + + Now Rustem flings the noose, and suddenly + Rakush secures. Meanwhile the furious mare + Attacks him, eager with her pointed teeth + To crush his brain--but, stunned by his loud cry, + She stops in wonder. Then with clenched hand + He smites her on the head and neck, and down + She tumbles, struggling in the pangs of death. + +Rakush, however, though with the noose round his neck, was not so easily +subdued; but kept dragging and pulling Rustem, as if by a tether, and it +was a considerable time before the animal could be reduced to +subjection. At last, Rustem thanked Heaven that he had obtained the very +horse he wanted. + + "Now am I with my horse prepared to join + The field of warriors!" Thus the hero said, + And placed the saddle on his charger. Zl + Beheld him with delight,--his withered heart + Glowing with summer freshness. Open then + He threw his treasury--thoughtless of the past + Or future--present joy absorbing all + His faculties, and thrilling every nerve. + +In a short time Zl sent Rustem with a prodigious army against +Afrsiyb, and two days afterwards set off himself and joined his son. +Afrsiyb said, "The son is but a boy, and the father is old; I shall +have no difficulty in recovering the empire of Persia." These +observations having reached Zl, he pondered deeply, considering that +Garshsp would not be able to contend against Afrsiyb, and that no +other prince of the race of Feridn was known to be in existence. +However, he despatched people in every quarter to gather information on +the subject, and at length Kai-kobd was understood to be residing in +obscurity on the mountain Alberz, distinguished for his wisdom and +valor, and his qualifications for the exercise of sovereign power. Zl +therefore recommended Rustem to proceed to Alberz, and bring him from +his concealment. + + Thus Zl to Rustem spoke, "Go forth, my son, + And speedily perform this pressing duty, + To linger would be dangerous. Say to him, + 'The army is prepared--the throne is ready, + And thou alone, of the Kainian race, + Deemed fit for sovereign rule.'" + +Rustem accordingly mounted Rakush, and accompanied by a powerful force, +pursued his way towards the mountain Alberz; and though the road was +infested by the troops of Afrsiyb, he valiantly overcame every +difficulty that was opposed to his progress. On reaching the vicinity of +Alberz, he observed a beautiful spot of ground studded with luxuriant +trees, and watered by glittering rills. There too, sitting upon a +throne, placed in the shade on the flowery margin of a stream, he saw a +young man, surrounded by a company of friends and attendants, and +engaged at a gorgeous entertainment. Rustem, when he came near, was +hospitably invited to partake of the feast: but this he declined, +saying, that he was on an important mission to Alberz, which forbade the +enjoyment of any pleasure till his task was accomplished; in short, that +he was in search of Kai-kobd: but upon being told that he would there +receive intelligence of him, he alighted and approached the bank of the +stream where the company was assembled. The young man who was seated +upon the golden throne took hold of the hand of Rustem, and filling up a +goblet with wine, gave another to his guest, and asked him at whose +command or suggestion he was in search of Kai-kobd. Rustem replied, +that he was sent by his father Zl, and frankly communicated to him the +special object they had in view. The young man, delighted with the +information, immediately discovered himself, acknowledged that he was +Kai-kobd, and then Rustem respectfully hailed him as the sovereign of +Persia. + + The banquet was resumed again-- + And, hark, the softly warbled strain, + As harp and flute, in union sweet, + The voices of the singers meet. + The black-eyed damsels now display + Their art in many an amorous lay; + And now the song is loud and clear, + And speaks of Rustem's welcome here. + "This is a day, a glorious day, + That drives ungenial thoughts away; + This is a day to make us glad, + Since Rustem comes for Kai-kobd; + O, let us pass our time in glee, + And talk of Jemshd's majesty, + The pomp and glory of his reign, + And still the sparkling goblet drain.-- + Come, Sak, fill the wine-cup high, + And let not even its brim be dry; + For wine alone has power to part + The rust of sorrow from the heart. + Drink to the king, in merry mood, + Since fortune smiles, and wine is good; + Quaffing red wine is better far + Than shedding blood in strife, or war; + Man is but dust, and why should he + Become a fire of enmity? + Drink deep, all other cares resign. + For what can vie with ruby wine?" + +In this manner ran the song of the revellers. After which, and being +rather merry with wine, Kai-kobd told Rustem of the dream that had +induced him to descend from his place of refuge on Alberz, and to +prepare a banquet on the occasion. He dreamt the night before that two +white falcons from Persia placed a splendid crown upon his head, and +this vision was interpreted by Rustem as symbolical of his father and +himself, who at that moment were engaged in investing him with kingly +power. The hero then solicited the young sovereign to hasten his +departure for Persia, and preparations were made without delay. They +travelled night and day, and fell in with several detachments of the +enemy, which were easily repulsed by the valor of Rustem. The fiercest +attack proceeded from Keln, one of Afrsiyb's warriors, near the +confines of Persia, who in the encounter used his spear with great +dexterity and address. + + But Rustem with his javelin soon transfixed + The Tartar knight--who in the eyes of all + Looked like a spitted chicken--down he sunk, + And all his soldiers fled in wild dismay. + Then Rustem turned aside, and found a spot + Where verdant meadows smiled, and streamlets flowed, + Inviting weary travellers to rest. + There they awhile remained--and when the sun + Went down, and night had darkened all the sky, + The champion joyfully pursued his way, + And brought the monarch to his father's house. + --Seven days they sat in council--on the eighth + Young Kai-kobd was crowned--and placed upon + The ivory throne in presence of his warriors, + Who all besought him to commence the war + Against the Tartar prince, Afrsiyb. + + + +KAI-KOBD + +Kai-kobd having been raised to the throne at a council of the warriors, +and advised to oppose the progress of Afrsiyb, immediately assembled +his army. Mihrb, the ruler of Kbul, was appointed to one wing, and +Gustahem to the other--the centre was given to Krun and Kishwd, and +Rustem was placed in front, Zl with Kai-kobd remaining in the rear. +The glorious standard of Kavah streamed upon the breeze. + +On the other side, Afrsiyb prepared for battle, assisted by his heroes +Akbs, Wsah, Shimass, and Gerswaz; and so great was the clamor and +confusion which proceeded from both armies, that earth and sky seemed +blended together.[8] The clattering of hoofs, the shrill roar of +trumpets, the rattle of brazen drums, and the vivid glittering of spear +and shield, produced indescribable tumult and splendor. + +Krun was the first in action, and he brought many a hero to the ground. +He singled out Shimass; and after a desperate struggle, laid him +breathless on the field. Rustem, stimulated by these exploits, requested +his father, Zl, to point out Afrsiyb, that he might encounter him; +but Zl endeavored to dissuade him from so hopeless an effort, saying, + + "My son, be wise, and peril not thyself; + Black is his banner, and his cuirass black-- + His limbs are cased in iron--on his head + He wears an iron helm--and high before him + Floats the black ensign; equal in his might + To ten strong men, he never in one place + Remains, but everywhere displays his power. + The crocodile has in the rolling stream + No safety; and a mountain, formed of steel, + Even at the mention of Afrsiyb, + Melts into water. Then, beware of him." + Rustem replied:--"Be not alarmed for me-- + My heart, my arm, my dagger, are my castle, + And Heaven befriends me--let him but appear, + Dragon or Demon, and the field is mine." + +Then Rustem valiantly urged Rakush towards the Trnian army, and called +out aloud. As soon as Afrsiyb beheld him, he inquired who he could be, +and he was told, "This is Rustem, the son of Zl. Seest thou not in his +hand the battle-axe of Sm? The youth has come in search of renown." +When the combatants closed, they struggled for some time together, and +at length Rustem seized the girdle-belt of his antagonist, and threw him +from his saddle. He wished to drag the captive as a trophy to Kai-kobd, +that his first great victory might be remembered, but unfortunately the +belt gave way, and Afrsiyb fell on the ground. Immediately the fallen +chief was surrounded and rescued by his own warriors, but not before +Rustem had snatched off his crown, and carried it away with the broken +girdle which was left in his hand. And now a general engagement took +place. Rustem being reinforced by the advance of the king, with Zl and +Mihrb at his side-- + + Both armies seemed so closely waging war, + Thou wouldst have said, that they were mixed together. + The earth shook with the tramping of the steeds, + Rattled the drums; loud clamours from the troops + Echoed around, and from the iron grasp + Of warriors, many a life was spent in air. + With his huge mace, cow-headed, Rustem dyed + The ground with crimson--and wherever seen, + Urging impatiently his fiery horse, + Heads severed fell like withered leaves in autumn. + If, brandishing his sword, he struck the head, + Horseman and steed were downward cleft in twain-- + And if his side-long blow was on the loins, + The sword passed through, as easily as the blade + Slices a cucumber. The blood of heroes + Deluged the plain. On that tremendous day, + With sword and dagger, battle-axe and noose,[9] + He cut, and tore, and broke, and bound the brave, + Slaying and making captive. At one swoop + More than a thousand fell by his own hand. + +Zl beheld his son with amazement and delight. The Trnians left the +fire-worshippers in possession of the field, and retreated towards the +Jihn with precipitation, not a sound of drum or trumpet denoting their +track. After halting three days in a state of deep dejection and misery, +they continued their retreat along the banks of the Jihn. The Persian +army, upon the flight of the enemy, fell back with their prisoners of +war, and Rustem was received by the king with distinguished honor. When +Afrsiyb returned to his father, he communicated to him, with a heavy +heart, the misfortunes of the battle, and the power that had been +arrayed against him, dwelling with wonder and admiration on the +stupendous valor of Rustem. + + Seeing my sable banner, + He to the fight came like a crocodile, + Thou wouldst have said his breath scorched up the plain; + He seized my girdle with such mighty force + As if he would have torn my joints asunder; + And raised me from my saddle--that I seemed + An insect in his grasp--but presently + The golden girdle broke, and down I fell + Ingloriously upon the dusty ground; + But I was rescued by my warrior train! + Thou knowest my valour, how my nerves are strung, + And may conceive the wondrous strength, which thus + Sunk me to nothing. Iron is his frame, + And marvellous his power; peace, peace, alone + Can save us and our country from destruction. + +Poshang, considering the luckless state of affairs, and the loss of so +many valiant warriors, thought it prudent to acquiesce in the wishes of +Afrsiyb, and sue for peace. To this end Wsah was intrusted with +magnificent presents, and the overtures which in substance ran thus: +"Minchihr was revenged upon Tr and Slim for the death of Irij. +Afrsiyb again has revenged their death upon Nauder, the son of +Minchihr, and now Rustem has conquered Afrsiyb. But why should we any +longer keep the world in confusion--Why should we not be satisfied with +what Feridn, in his wisdom, decreed? Continue in the empire which he +appropriated to Irij, and let the Jihn be the boundary between us, for +are we not connected by blood, and of one family? Let our kingdoms be +gladdened with the blessings of peace." + +When these proposals of peace reached Kai-kobd, the following answer was +returned: + + "Well dost thou know that I was not the first + To wage this war. From Tr, thy ancestor, + The strife began. Bethink thee how he slew + The gentle Irij--his own brother;--how, + In these our days, thy son, Afrsiyb, + Crossing the Jihn, with a numerous force + Invaded Persia--think how Nauder died! + Not in the field of battle, like a hero, + But murdered by thy son--who, ever cruel, + Afterwards stabbed his brother, young Aghrras, + So deeply mourned by thee. Yet do I thirst not + For vengeance, or for strife. I yield the realm + Beyond the Jihn--let that river be + The boundary between us; but thy son, + Afrsiyb, must take his solemn oath + Never to cross that limit, or disturb + The Persian throne again; thus pledged, I grant + The peace solicited." + +The messenger without delay conveyed this welcome intelligence to +Poshang, and the Trnian army was in consequence immediately withdrawn +within the prescribed line of division, Rustem, however, expostulated +with the king against making peace at a time the most advantageous for +war, and especially when he had just commenced his victorious career; +but Kai-kobd thought differently, and considered nothing equal to +justice and tranquillity. Peace was accordingly concluded, and upon +Rustem and Zl he conferred the highest honors, and his other warriors +engaged in the late conflict also experienced the effects of his bounty +and gratitude in an eminent degree. + +Kai-kobd then moved towards Persia, and establishing his throne at +Istakhar,[10] he administered the affairs of his government with +admirable benevolence and clemency, and with unceasing solicitude for +the welfare of his subjects. In his eyes every one had an equal claim to +consideration and justice. The strong had no power to oppress the weak. +After he had continued ten years at Istakhar, building towns and cities, +and diffusing improvement and happiness over the land, he removed his +throne into Irn. His reign lasted one hundred years, which were passed +in the continued exercise of the most princely virtues, and the most +munificent liberality. He had four sons: Kai-ks, Arish, Poshn and +Aramn; and when the period of his dissolution drew nigh, he solemnly +enjoined the eldest, whom he appointed his successor, to pursue steadily +the path of integrity and justice, and to be kind and merciful in the +administration of the empire left to his charge. + + + +KAI-KS + +When Kai-ks[11] ascended the throne of his father, the whole world was +obedient to his will; but he soon began to deviate from the wise customs +and rules which had been recommended as essential to his prosperity and +happiness. He feasted and drank wine continually with his warriors and +chiefs, so that in the midst of his luxurious enjoyments he looked upon +himself as superior to every being upon the face of the earth, and thus +astonished the people, high and low, by his extravagance and pride. + +One day a Demon, disguised as a musician, waited upon the monarch, and +playing sweetly on his harp, sung a song in praise of Mzindern. + + And thus he warbled to the king-- + "Mzindern is the bower of spring, + My native home; the balmy air + Diffuses health and fragrance there; + So tempered is the genial glow, + Nor heat nor cold we ever know; + Tulips and hyacinths abound + On every lawn; and all around + Blooms like a garden in its prime, + Fostered by that delicious clime. + The bulbul sits on every spray, + And pours his soft melodious lay; + Each rural spot its sweets discloses, + Each streamlet is the dew of roses; + And damsels, idols of the heart, + Sustain a more bewitching part. + And mark me, that untravelled man + Who never saw Mzindern, + And all the charms its bowers possess, + Has never tasted happiness!" + +No sooner had Kai-ks heard this description of the country of +Mzindern than he determined to lead an army thither, declaring to his +warriors that the splendor and glory of his reign should exceed that of +either Jemshd, Zohk, or Kai-kobd. The warriors, however, were alarmed +at this precipitate resolution, thinking it certain destruction to make +war against the Demons; but they had not courage or confidence enough to +disclose their real sentiments. They only ventured to suggest, that if +his majesty reflected a little on the subject, he might not ultimately +consider the enterprise so advisable as he had at first imagined. But +this produced no impression, and they then deemed it expedient to +despatch a messenger to Zl, to inform him of the wild notions which the +Evil One had put into the head of Kai-ks to effect his ruin, imploring +Zl to allow of no delay, otherwise the eminent services so lately +performed by him and Rustem for the state would be rendered utterly +useless and vain. Upon this summons, Zl immediately set off from Sstn +to Irn; and having arrived at the royal court, and been received with +customary respect and consideration, he endeavored to dissuade the king +from the contemplated expedition into Mzindern. + + "O, could I wash the darkness from thy mind, + And show thee all the perils that surround + This undertaking! Jemshd, high in power, + Whose diadem was brilliant as the sun, + Who ruled the demons--never in his pride + Dreamt of the conquest of Mzindern! + Remember Feridn, he overthrew + Zohk--destroyed the tyrant, but he never + Thought of the conquest of Mzindern! + This strange ambition never fired the souls + Of by-gone monarchs--mighty Minchihr, + Always victorious, boundless in his wealth, + Nor Zau, nor Nauder, nor even Kai-kobd, + With all their pomp, and all their grandeur, ever + Dreamt of the conquest of Mzindern! + It is the place of demon-sorcerers, + And all enchanted. Swords are useless there, + Nor bribery nor wisdom can obtain + Possession of that charm-defended land, + Then throw not men and treasure to the winds; + Waste not the precious blood of warriors brave, + In trying to subdue Mzindern!" + +Kai-ks, however, was not to be diverted from his purpose; and with +respect to what his predecessors had not done, he considered himself +superior in might and influence to either Feridn, Jemshd, Minchihr, +or Kai-kobd, who had never aspired to the conquest of Mzindern. He +further observed, that he had a bolder heart, a larger army, and a +fuller treasury than any of them, and the whole world was under his +sway-- + + And what are all these Demon-charms, + That they excite such dread alarms? + What is a Demon-host to me, + Their magic spells and sorcery? + One effort, and the field is won; + Then why should I the battle shun? + Be thou and Rustem (whilst afar + I wage the soul-appalling war), + The guardians of the kingdom; Heaven + To me hath its protection given; + And, when I reach the Demon's fort, + Their severed heads shall be my sport! + +When Zl became convinced of the unalterable resolution of Kai-ks, he +ceased to oppose his views, and expressed his readiness to comply with +whatever commands he might receive for the safety of the state. + + May all thy actions prosper--may'st thou never + Have cause to recollect my warning voice, + With sorrow or repentance. Heaven protect thee! + +Zl then took leave of the king and his warrior friends, and returned to +Sstn, not without melancholy forebodings respecting the issue of the +war against Mzindern. + +As soon as morning dawned, the army was put in motion. The charge of the +empire, and the keys of the treasury and jewel-chamber were left in the +hands of Mlad, with injunctions, however, not to draw a sword against +any enemy that might spring up, without the consent and assistance of +Zl and Rustem. When the army had arrived within the limits of +Mzindern, Kai-ks ordered Gw to select two thousand of the bravest +men, the boldest wielders of the battle-axe, and proceed rapidly towards +the city. In his progress, according to the king's instructions, he +burnt and destroyed everything of value, mercilessly slaying man, woman, +and child. For the king said: + + Kill all before thee, whether young or old, + And turn their day to night; thus free the world + From the magician's art. + +Proceeding in his career of desolation and ruin, Gw came near to the +city, and found it arrayed in all the splendor of heaven; every street +was crowded with beautiful women, richly adorned, and young damsels with +faces as bright as the moon. The treasure-chamber was full of gold and +jewels, and the country abounded with cattle. Information of this +discovery was immediately sent to Kai-ks, who was delighted to find +that Mzindern was truly a blessed region, the very garden of beauty, +where the cheeks of the women seemed to be tinted with the hue of the +pomegranate flower, by the gate-keeper of Paradise. + +This invasion filled the heart of the king of Mzindern with grief and +alarm, and his first care was to call the gigantic White Demon to his +aid. Meanwhile Kai-ks, full of the wildest anticipations of victory, +was encamped on the plain near the city in splendid state, and preparing +to commence the final overthrow of the enemy on the following day. In +the night, however, a cloud came, and deep darkness like pitch +overspread the earth, and tremendous hail-stones poured down upon the +Persian host, throwing them into the greatest confusion. Thousands were +destroyed, others fled, and were scattered abroad in the gloom. The +morning dawned, but it brought no light to the eyes of Kai-ks; and +amidst the horrors he experienced, his treasury was captured, and the +soldiers of his army either killed or made prisoners of war. Then did he +bitterly lament that he had not followed the wise counsel of Zl. Seven +days he was involved in this dreadful affliction, and on the eighth day +he heard the roar of the White Demon, saying: + + "O king, thou art the willow-tree, all barren, + With neither fruit, nor flower. What could induce + The dream of conquering Mzindern? + Hadst thou no friend to warn thee of thy folly? + Hadst thou not heard of the White Demon's power-- + Of him, who from the gorgeous vault of Heaven + Can charm the stars? From this mad enterprise + Others have wisely shrunk--and what hast thou + Accomplished by a more ambitious course? + Thy soldiers have slain many, dire destruction + And spoil have been their purpose--thy wild will + Has promptly been obeyed; but thou art now + Without an army, not one man remains + To lift a sword, or stand in thy defence; + Not one to hear thy groans and thy despair." + +There were selected from the army twelve thousand of the demon-warriors, +to take charge of and hold in custody the Irnian captives, all the +chiefs, as well as the soldiers, being secured with bonds, and only +allowed food enough to keep them alive. Arzang, one of the +demon-leaders, having got possession of the wealth, the crown and +jewels, belonging to Kai-ks, was appointed to escort the captive king +and his troops, all of whom were deprived of sight, to the city of +Mzindern, where they were delivered into the hands of the monarch of +that country. The White Demon, after thus putting an end to hostilities, +returned to his own abode. + +Kai-ks, strictly guarded as he was, found an opportunity of sending an +account of his blind and helpless condition to Zl, in which he lamented +that he had not followed his advice, and urgently requested him, if he +was not himself in confinement, to come to his assistance, and release +him from captivity. When Zl heard the melancholy story, he gnawed the +very skin of his body with vexation, and turning to Rustem, conferred +with him in private. + + "The sword must be unsheathed, since Kai-ks + Is bound a captive in the dragon's den, + And Rakush must be saddled for the field, + And thou must bear the weight of this emprize; + For I have lived two centuries, and old age + Unfits me for the heavy toils of war. + Should'st thou release the king, thy name will be + Exalted o'er the earth.--Then don thy mail, + And gain immortal honor." + +Rustem replied that it was a long journey to Mzindern, and that the +king had been six months on the road. Upon this Zl observed that there +were two roads--the most tedious one was that which Kai-ks had taken; +but by the other, which was full of dangers and difficulty, and lions, +and demons, and sorcery, he might reach Mzindern in seven days, if he +reached it at all. + +On hearing these words Rustem assented, and chose the short road, +observing: + + "Although it is not wise, they say, + With willing feet to track the way + To hell; though only men who've lost, + All love of life, by misery crossed, + Would rush into the tiger's lair, + And die, poor reckless victims, there; + I gird my loins, whate'er may be, + And trust in God for victory." + +On the following day, resigning himself to the protection of Heaven, he +put on his war attire, and with his favorite horse, Rakush, properly +caparisoned, stood prepared for the journey. His mother, Rdbeh, took +leave of him with great sorrow; and the young hero departed from Sstn, +consoling himself and his friends, thus: + + "O'er him who seeks the battle-field, + Nobly his prisoned king to free, + Heaven will extend its saving shield, + And crown his arms with victory." + + + +THE SEVEN LABORS OF RUSTEM + +First Stage.--He rapidly pursued his way, performing two days' journey +in one, and soon came to a forest full of wild asses. Oppressed with +hunger, he succeeded in securing one of them, which he roasted over a +fire, lighted by sparks produced by striking the point of his spear, and +kept in a blaze with dried grass and branches of trees. After regaling +himself, and satisfying his hunger, he loosened the bridle of Rakush, +and allowed him to graze; and choosing a safe place for repose during +the night, and taking care to have his sword under his head, he went to +sleep among the reeds of that wilderness. In a short space a fierce lion +appeared, and attacked Rakush with great violence; but Rakush very +speedily with his teeth and heels put an end to his furious assailant. +Rustem, awakened by the confusion, and seeing the dead lion before him, +said to his favorite companion:-- + + "Ah! Rakush, why so thoughtless grown, + To fight a lion thus alone; + For had it been thy fate to bleed, + And not thy foe, my gallant steed! + How could thy master have conveyed + His helm, and battle-axe, and blade, + Kamund, and bow, and buberyn, + Unaided, to Mzindern? + Why didst thou fail to give the alarm, + And save thyself from chance of harm, + By neighing loudly in my ear; + But though thy bold heart knows no fear, + From such unwise exploits refrain, + Nor try a lion's strength again." + +Saying this, Rustem laid down to sleep, and did not awake till the +morning dawned. As the sun rose, he remounted Rakush, and proceeded on +his journey towards Mzindern. + +Second Stage.--After travelling rapidly for some time, he entered a +desert, in which no water was to be found, and the sand was so burning +hot, that it seemed to be instinct with fire. Both horse and rider were +oppressed with the most maddening thirst. Rustem alighted, and vainly +wandered about in search of relief, till almost exhausted, he put up a +prayer to Heaven for protection against the evils which surrounded him, +engaged as he was in an enterprise for the release of Kai-ks and the +Persian army, then in the power of the demons. With pious earnestness he +besought the Almighty to bless him in the great work; and whilst in a +despairing mood he was lamenting his deplorable condition, his tongue +and throat being parched with thirst, his body prostrate on the sand, +under the influence of a raging sun, he saw a sheep pass by, which he +hailed as the harbinger of good. Rising up and grasping his sword in his +hand, he followed the animal, and came to a fountain of water, where he +devoutly returned thanks to God for the blessing which had preserved his +existence, and prevented the wolves from feeding on his lifeless limbs. +Refreshed by the cool water, he then looked out for something to allay +his hunger, and killing a gor, he lighted a fire and roasted it, and +regaled upon its savory flesh, which he eagerly tore from the bones. + +When the period of rest arrived, Rustem addressed Rakush, and said to +him angrily:-- + + "Beware, my steed, of future strife. + Again thou must not risk thy life; + Encounter not with lion fell, + Nor demon still more terrible; + But should an enemy appear, + Ring loud the warning in my ear." + +After delivering these injunctions, Rustem laid down to sleep, leaving +Rakush unbridled, and at liberty to crop the herbage close by. + +Third Stage.--At midnight a monstrous dragon-serpent issued from the +forest; it was eighty yards in length, and so fierce, that neither +elephant, nor demon, nor lion, ever ventured to pass by its lair. It +came forth, and seeing the champion asleep, and a horse near him, the +latter was the first object of attack. But Rakush retired towards his +master, and neighed and beat the ground so furiously, that Rustem soon +awoke; looking around on every side, however, he saw nothing--the dragon +had vanished, and he went to sleep again. Again the dragon burst out of +the thick darkness, and again Rakush was at the pillow of his master, +who rose up at the alarm: but anxiously trying to penetrate the dreary +gloom, he saw nothing--all was a blank; and annoyed at this apparently +vexatious conduct of his horse, he spoke sharply:-- + + "Why thus again disturb my rest, + When sleep had softly soothed my breast? + I told thee, if thou chanced to see + Another dangerous enemy, + To sound the alarm; but not to keep + Depriving me of needful sleep; + When nothing meets the eye nor ear, + Nothing to cause a moment's fear! + But if again my rest is broke, + On thee shall fall the fatal stroke, + And I myself will drag this load + Of ponderous arms along the road; + Yes, I will go, a lonely man, + Without thee, to Mzindern." + +Rustem again went to sleep, and Rakush was resolved this time not to +move a step from his side, for his heart was grieved and afflicted by +the harsh words that had been addressed to him. The dragon again +appeared, and the faithful horse almost tore up the earth with his +heels, to rouse his sleeping master. Rustem again awoke, and sprang to +his feet, and was again angry; but fortunately at that moment sufficient +light was providentially given for him to see the prodigious cause of +alarm. + + Then swift he drew his sword, and closed in strife + With that huge monster.--Dreadful was the shock + And perilous to Rustem; but when Rakush + Perceived the contest doubtful, furiously, + With his keen teeth, he bit and tore away + The dragon's scaly hide; whilst quick as thought + The Champion severed off the ghastly head, + And deluged all the plain with horrid blood. + Amazed to see a form so hideous + Breathless stretched out before him, he returned + Thanks to the Omnipotent for his success, + Saying--"Upheld by thy protecting arm, + What is a lion's strength, a demon's rage, + Or all the horrors of the burning desert, + With not one drop to quench devouring thirst? + Nothing, since power and might proceed from Thee." + +Fourth Stage.--Rustem having resumed the saddle, continued his journey +through an enchanted territory, and in the evening came to a beautifully +green spot, refreshed by flowing rivulets, where he found, to his +surprise, a ready-roasted deer, and some bread and salt. He alighted, +and sat down near the enchanted provisions, which vanished at the sound +of his voice, and presently a tambourine met his eyes, and a flask of +wine. Taking up the instrument he played upon it, and chanted a ditty +about his own wanderings, and the exploits which he most loved. He said +that he had no pleasure in banquets, but only in the field fighting with +heroes and crocodiles in war. The song happened to reach the ears of a +sorceress, who, arrayed in all the charms of beauty, suddenly approached +him, and sat down by his side. The champion put up a prayer of gratitude +for having been supplied with food and wine, and music, in the desert of +Mzindern, and not knowing that the enchantress was a demon in +disguise, he placed in her hands a cup of wine in the name of God; but +at the mention of the Creator, the enchanted form was converted into a +black fiend. Seeing this, Rustem threw his kamund, and secured the +demon; and, drawing his sword, at once cut the body in two! + +Fifth Stage.-- + + From thence proceeding onward, he approached + A region destitute of light, a void + Of utter darkness. Neither moon nor star + Peep'd through the gloom; no choice of path remained, + And therefore, throwing loose the rein, he gave + Rakush the power to travel on, unguided. + At length the darkness was dispersed, the earth + Became a scene, joyous and light, and gay, + Covered with waving corn--there Rustem paused + And quitting his good steed among the grass, + Laid himself gently down, and, wearied, slept; + His shield beneath his head, his sword before him. + +When the keeper of the forest saw the stranger and his horse, he went to +Rustem, then asleep, and struck his staff violently on the ground, and +having thus awakened the hero, he asked him, devil that he was, why he +had allowed his horse to feed upon the green corn-field. Angry at these +words, Rustem, without uttering a syllable, seized hold of the keeper by +the ears, and wrung them off. The mutilated wretch, gathering up his +severed ears, hurried away, covered with blood, to his master, Ald, +and told him of the injury he had sustained from a man like a black +demon, with a tiger-skin cuirass and an iron helmet; showing at the same +time the bleeding witnesses of his sufferings. Upon being informed of +this outrageous proceeding, Ald, burning with wrath, summoned together +his fighting men, and hastened by the directions of the keeper to the +place where Rustem had been found asleep. The champion received the +angry lord of the land, fully prepared, on horseback, and heard him +demand his name, that he might not slay a worthless antagonist, and why +he had torn off the ears of his forest-keeper! Rustem replied that the +very sound of his name would make him shudder with horror. Ald then +ordered his troops to attack Rustem, and they rushed upon him with great +fury; but their leader was presently killed by the master-hand, and +great numbers were also scattered lifeless over the plain. The survivors +running away, Rustem's next object was to follow and secure, by his +kamund, the person of Ald, and with admirable address and ingenuity, +he succeeded in dismounting him and taking him alive. He then bound his +hands, and said to him:-- + + "If thou wilt speak the truth unmixed with lies, + Unmixed with false prevaricating words, + And faithfully point out to me the caves + Of the White Demon and his warrior chiefs-- + And where Ks is prisoned--thy reward + Shall be the kingdom of Mzindern; + For I, myself, will place thee on that throne. + But if thou play'st me false--thy worthless blood + Shall answer for the foul deception." + + "Stay, + Be not in wrath," Ald at once replied-- + "Thy wish shall be fulfilled--and thou shalt know + Where king Ks is prisoned--and, beside, + Where the White Demon reigns. Between two dark + And lofty mountains, in two hundred caves + Immeasurably deep, his people dwell. + Twelve hundred Demons keep the watch by night + And Baid, and Sinja. Like a reed, the hills + Tremble whenever the White Demon moves. + But dangerous is the way. A stony desert + Lies full before thee, which the nimble deer + Has never passed. Then a prodigious stream + Two farsangs wide obstructs thy path, whose banks + Are covered with a host of warrior-Demons, + Guarding the passage to Mzindern; + And thou art but a single man--canst thou + O'ercome such fearful obstacles as these?" + + At this the Champion smiled. "Show but the way, + And thou shalt see what one man can perform, + With power derived from God! Lead on, with speed, + To royal Ks." With obedient haste + Ald proceeded, Rustem following fast, + Mounted on Rakush. Neither dismal night + Nor joyous day they rested--on they went + Until at length they reached the fatal field, + Where Ks was o'ercome. At midnight hour, + Whilst watching with attentive eye and ear, + A piercing clamor echoed all around, + And blazing fires were seen, and numerous lamps + Burnt bright on every side. Rustem inquired + What this might be. "It is Mzindern," + Ald rejoined, "and the White Demon's chiefs + Are gathered there." Then Rustem to a tree + Bound his obedient guide--to keep him safe, + And to recruit his strength, laid down awhile + And soundly slept. + + When morning dawned, he rose, + And mounting Rakush, put his helmet on, + The tiger-skin defended his broad chest, + And sallying forth, he sought the Demon chief, + Arzang, and summoned him with such a roar + That stream and mountain shook. Arzang sprang up, + Hearing a human voice, and from his tent + Indignant issued--him the champion met, + And clutched his arms and ears, and from his body + Tore off the gory head, and cast it far + Amidst the shuddering Demons, who with fear + Shrunk back and fled, precipitate, lest they + Should likewise feel that dreadful punishment. + +Sixth Stage.--After this achievement Rustem returned to the place where +he had left Ald, and having released him, sat down under the tree and +related what he had done. He then commanded his guide to show the way to +the place where Kai-ks was confined; and when the champion entered the +city of Mzindern, the neighing of Rakush was so loud that the sound +distinctly reached the ears of the captive monarch. Ks rejoiced, and +said to his people: "I have heard the voice of Rakush, and my +misfortunes are at an end;" but they thought he was either insane or +telling them a dream. The actual appearance of Rustem, however, soon +satisfied them. Gdarz, and Ts, and Bhrm, and Gw, and Gustahem, were +delighted to meet him, and the king embraced him with great warmth and +affection, and heard from him with admiration the story of his wonderful +progress and exploits. But Ks and his warriors, under the influence +and spells of the Demons, were still blind, and he cautioned Rustem +particularly to conceal Rakush from the sight of the sorcerers, for if +the White Demon should hear of the slaughter of Arzang, and the +conqueror being at Mzindern, he would immediately assemble an +overpowering army of Demons, and the consequences might be terrible. + + "But thou must storm the cavern of the Demons + And their gigantic chief--great need there is + For sword and battle-axe--and with the aid + Of Heaven, these miscreant sorcerers may fall + Victims to thy avenging might. The road + Is straight before thee--reach the Seven Mountains, + And there thou wilt discern the various groups, + Which guard the awful passage. Further on, + Within a deep and horrible recess, + Frowns the White Demon--conquer him--destroy + That fell magician, and restore to sight + Thy suffering king, and all his warrior train. + The wise in cures declare, that the warm blood + From the White Demon's heart, dropped in the eye, + Removes all blindness--it is, then, my hope, + Favored by God, that thou wilt slay the fiend, + And save us from the misery we endure, + The misery of darkness without end." + +Rustem accordingly, after having warned his friends and companions in +arms to keep on the alert, prepared for the enterprise, and guided by +Ald, hurried on till he came to the Haft-koh, or Seven Mountains. +There he found numerous companies of Demons; and coming to one of the +caverns, saw it crowded with the same awful beings. And now consulting +with Ald, he was informed that the most advantageous time for attack +would be when the sun became hot, for then all the Demons were +accustomed to go to sleep, with the exception of a very small number who +were appointed to keep watch. He therefore waited till the sun rose high +in the firmament; and as soon as he had bound Ald to a tree hand and +foot, with the thongs of his kamund, drew his sword, and rushed among +the prostrate Demons, dismembering and slaying all that fell in his way. +Dreadful was the carnage, and those who survived fled in the wildest +terror from the champion's fury. + +Seventh Stage.--Rustem now hastened forward to encounter the White +Demon. + + Advancing to the cavern, he looked down + And saw a gloomy place, dismal as hell; + But not one cursed, impious sorcerer + Was visible in that infernal depth. + Awhile he stood--his falchion in his grasp, + And rubbed his eyes to sharpen his dim sight, + And then a mountain-form, covered with hair, + Filling up all the space, rose into view. + The monster was asleep, but presently + The daring shouts of Rustem broke his rest, + And brought him suddenly upon his feet, + When seizing a huge mill-stone, forth he came, + And thus accosted the intruding chief: + "Art thou so tired of life, that reckless thus + Thou dost invade the precincts of the Demons? + Tell me thy name, that I may not destroy + A nameless thing!" The champion stern replied, + "My name is Rustem--sent by Zl, my father, + Descended from the champion Sm Swr, + To be revenged on thee--the King of Persia + Being now a prisoner in Mzindern." + When the accursed Demon heard the name + Of Sm Swr, he, like a serpent, writhed + In agony of spirit; terrified + At that announcement--then, recovering strength, + He forward sprang, and hurled the mill-stone huge + Against his adversary, who fell back + And disappointed the prodigious blow. + Black frowned the Demon, and through Rustem's heart + A wild sensation ran of dire alarm; + But, rousing up, his courage was revived, + And wielding furiously his beaming sword, + He pierced the Demon's thigh, and lopped the limb; + Then both together grappled, and the cavern + Shook with the contest--each, at times, prevailed; + The flesh of both was torn, and streaming blood + Crimsoned the earth. "If I survive this day," + Said Rustem in his heart, in that dread strife, + "My life must be immortal." The White Demon, + With equal terror, muttered to himself: + "I now despair of life--sweet life; no more + Shall I be welcomed at Mzindern." + And still they struggled hard--still sweat and blood + Poured down at every strain. Rustem, at last, + Gathering fresh power, vouchsafed by favouring Heaven + And bringing all his mighty strength to bear, + Raised up the gasping Demon in his arms, + And with such fury dashed him to the ground, + That life no longer moved his monstrous frame. + Promptly he then tore out the reeking heart, + And crowds of demons simultaneous fell + As part of him, and stained the earth with gore; + Others who saw this signal overthrow, + Trembled, and hurried from the scene of blood. + Then the great victor, issuing from that cave + With pious haste--took off his helm, and mail, + And royal girdle--and with water washed + His face and body--choosing a pure place + For prayer--to praise his Maker--Him who gave + The victory, the eternal source of good; + Without whose grace and blessing, what is man! + With it his armor is impregnable. + +The Champion having finished his prayer, resumed his war habiliments, +and going to Ald, released him from the tree, and gave into his charge +the heart of the White Demon. He then pursued his journey back to Ks +at Mzindern. On the way Ald solicited some reward for the services +he had performed, and Rustem again promised that he should be appointed +governor of the country. + + "But first the monarch of Mzindern, + The Demon-king, must be subdued, and cast + Into the yawning cavern--and his legions + Of foul enchanters, utterly destroyed." + +Upon his arrival at Mzindern, Rustem related to his sovereign all that +he had accomplished, and especially that he had torn out and brought +away the White Demon's heart, the blood of which was destined to restore +Kai-ks and his warriors to sight. Rustem was not long in applying the +miraculous remedy, and the moment the blood touched their eyes, the +fearful blindness was perfectly cured. + + The champion brought the Demon's heart, + And squeezed the blood from every part, + Which, dropped upon the injured sight, + Made all things visible and bright; + One moment broke that magic gloom, + Which seemed more dreadful than the tomb. + +The monarch immediately ascended his throne surrounded by all his +warriors, and seven days were spent in mutual congratulations and +rejoicing. On the eighth day they all resumed the saddle, and proceeded +to complete the destruction of the enemy. They set fire to the city, and +burnt it to the ground, and committed such horrid carnage among the +remaining magicians that streams of loathsome blood crimsoned all the +place. + +Ks afterwards sent Ferhd as an ambassador to the king of Mzindern, +suggesting to him the expediency of submission, and representing to him +the terrible fall of Arzang, and of the White Demon with all his host, +as a warning against resistance to the valor of Rustem. But when the +king of Mzindern heard from Ferhd the purpose of his embassy, he +expressed great astonishment, and replied that he himself was superior +in all respects to Ks; that his empire was more extensive, and his +warriors more numerous and brave. "Have I not," said he, "a hundred +war-elephants, and Ks not one? Wherever I move, conquest marks my way; +why then should I fear the sovereign of Persia? Why should I submit to +him?" + +This haughty tone made a deep impression upon Ferhd, who returning +quickly, told Ks of the proud bearing and fancied power of the ruler +of Mzindern. Rustem was immediately sent for; and so indignant was he +on hearing the tidings, that "every hair on his body started up like a +spear," and he proposed to go himself with a second dispatch. The king +was too much pleased to refuse, and another letter was written more +urgent than the first, threatening the enemy to hang up his severed head +on the walls of his own fort, if he persisted in his contumacy and scorn +of the offer made. + +As soon as Rustem had come within a short distance of the court of the +king of Mzindern, accounts reached his majesty of the approach of +another ambassador, when a deputation of warriors was sent to receive +him. Rustem observing them, and being in sight of the hostile army, with +a view to show his strength, tore up a large tree on the road by the +roots, and dexterously wielded it in his hand like a spear. Tilting +onwards, he flung it down before the wondering enemy, and one of the +chiefs then thought it incumbent upon him to display his own prowess. He +advanced, and offered to grasp hands with Rustem: they met; but the +gripe of the champion was so excruciating that the sinews of his +adversary cracked, and in agony he fell from his horse. Intelligence of +this discomfiture was instantly conveyed to the king, who then summoned +his most valiant and renowned chieftain, Klahr, and directed him to go +and punish, signally, the warrior who had thus presumed to triumph over +one of his heroes. Accordingly Klahr appeared, and boastingly +stretched out his hand, which Rustem wrung with such grinding force, +that the very nails dropped off, and blood started from his body. This +was enough, and Klahr hastily returned to the king, and anxiously +recommended him to submit to terms, as it would be in vain to oppose +such invincible strength. The king was both grieved and angry at this +situation of affairs, and invited the ambassador to his presence. After +inquiring respecting Ks and the Persian army, he said: + + "And thou art Rustem, clothed with mighty power, + Who slaughtered the White Demon, and now comest + To crush the monarch of Mzindern!" + "No!" said the champion, "I am but his servant, + And even unworthy of that noble station; + My master being a warrior, the most valiant + That ever graced the world since time began. + Nothing am I; but what doth he resemble! + What is a lion, elephant, or demon! + Engaged in fight, he is himself a host!" + +The ambassador then tried to convince the king of the folly of +resistance, and of his certain defeat if he continued to defy the power +of Ks and the bravery of Rustem; but the effort was fruitless, and +both states prepared for battle. + +The engagement which ensued was obstinate and sanguinary, and after +seven days of hard fighting, neither army was victorious, neither +defeated. Afflicted at this want of success, Ks grovelled in the dust, +and prayed fervently to the Almighty to give him the triumph. He +addressed all his warriors, one by one, and urged them to increased +exertions; and on the eighth day, when the battle was renewed, prodigies +of valor were performed. Rustem singled out, and encountered the king of +Mzindern, and fiercely they fought together with sword and javelin; +but suddenly, just as he was rushing on with overwhelming force, his +adversary, by his magic art, transformed himself into a stony rock. +Rustem and the Persian warriors were all amazement. The fight had been +suspended for some time, when Ks came forward to inquire the cause; +and hearing with astonishment of the transformation, ordered his +soldiers to drag the enchanted mass towards his own tent; but all the +strength that could be applied was unequal to move so great a weight, +till Rustem set himself to the task, and amidst the wondering army, +lifted up the rock and conveyed it to the appointed place. He then +addressed the work of sorcery, and said: "If thou dost not resume thy +original shape, I will instantly break thee, flinty-rock as thou now +art, into atoms, and scatter thee in the dust." The magician-king was +alarmed by this threat, and reappeared in his own form, and then Rustem, +seizing his hand, brought him to Ks, who, as a punishment for his +wickedness and atrocity, ordered him to be slain, and his body to be cut +into a thousand pieces! The wealth of the country was immediately +afterwards secured; and at the recommendation of Rustem, Ald was +appointed governor of Mzindern. After the usual thanksgivings and +rejoicings on account of the victory, Ks and his warriors returned to +Persia, where splendid honors and rewards were bestowed on every soldier +for his heroic services. Rustem having received the highest +acknowledgments of his merit, took leave, and returned to his father Zl +at Zbulistn. + +Suddenly an ardent desire arose in the heart of Ks to survey all the +provinces and states of his empire. He wished to visit Trn, and Chn, +and Mikrn, and Berber, and Zirra. Having commenced his royal tour of +inspection, he found the King of Berberistn in a state of rebellion, +with his army prepared to dispute his authority. A severe battle was the +consequence; but the refractory sovereign was soon compelled to retire, +and the elders of the city came forward to sue for mercy and protection. +After this triumph, Ks turned towards the mountain Kf, and visited +various other countries, and in his progress became the guest of the son +of Zl in Zbulistn where he stayed a month, enjoying the pleasures of +the festive board and the sports of the field. + +The disaffection of the King of Hmvern, in league with the King of +Misser and Shm, and the still hostile King of Berberistn, soon, +however, drew him from Nm-rz, and quitting the principality of Rustem, +his arms were promptly directed against his new enemy, who in the +contest which ensued, made an obstinate resistance, but was at length +overpowered, and obliged to ask for quarter. After the battle, Ks was +informed that the Shh had a daughter of great beauty, named Sdveh, +possessing a form as graceful as the tall cypress, musky ringlets, and +all the charms of Heaven. From the description of this damsel he became +enamoured, and through the medium of a messenger, immediately offered +himself to be her husband. The father did not seem to be glad at this +proposal, observing to the messenger, that he had but two things in life +valuable to him, and those were his daughter and his property; one was +his solace and delight, and the other his support; to be deprived of +both would be death to him; still he could not gainsay the wishes of a +king of such power, and his conqueror. He then sorrowfully communicated +the overture to his child, who, however, readily consented; and in the +course of a week, the bride was sent escorted by soldiers, and +accompanied by a magnificent cavalcade, consisting of a thousand horses +and mules, a thousand camels, and numerous female attendants. When +Sdveh descended from her litter, glowing with beauty, with her rich +dark tresses flowing to her feet, and cheeks like the rose, Ks +regarded her with admiration and rapture; and so impatient was he to +possess that lovely treasure, that the marriage rites were performed +according to the laws of the country without delay. + +The Shh of Hmvern, however, was not satisfied, and he continually +plotted within himself how he might contrive to regain possession of +Sdveh, as well as be revenged upon the king. With this view he invited +Ks to be his guest for a while; but Sdveh cautioned the king not to +trust to the treachery which dictated the invitation, as she apprehended +from it nothing but mischief and disaster. The warning, however, was of +no avail, for Ks accepted the proffered hospitality of his new +father-in-law. He accordingly proceeded with his bride and his most +famous warriors to the city, where he was received and entertained in +the most sumptuous manner, seated on a gorgeous throne, and felt +infinitely exhilarated with the magnificence and the hilarity by which +he was surrounded. Seven days were passed in this glorious banqueting +and delight; but on the succeeding night, the sound of trumpets and the +war-cry was heard. The intrusion of soldiers changed the face of the +scene; and the king, who had just been waited on, and pampered with such +respect and devotion, was suddenly seized, together with his principal +warriors, and carried off to a remote fortress, situated on a high +mountain, where they were imprisoned, and guarded by a thousand valiant +men. His tents were plundered, and all his treasure taken away. At this +event his wife was inconsolable and deaf to all entreaties from her +father, declaring that she preferred death to separation from her +husband; upon which she was conveyed to the same dungeon, to mingle +groans with the captive king. + + Alas! how false and fickle is the world, + Friendship nor pleasure, nor the ties of blood, + Can check the headlong course of human passions; + Treachery still laughs at kindred;--who is safe + In this tumultuous sphere of strife and sorrow? + + + +INVASION OF IRN BY AFRSIYB + +The intelligence of Ks's imprisonment was very soon spread through the +world, and operated as a signal to all the inferior states to get +possession of Irn. Afrsiyb was the most powerful aspirant to the +throne; and gathering an immense army, he hurried from Trn, and made a +rapid incursion into the country, which after three months he succeeded +in conquering, scattering ruin and desolation wherever he came. + +Some of those who escaped from the field bent their steps towards +Zbulistn, by whom Rustem was informed of the misfortunes in which Ks +was involved; it therefore became necessary that he should again +endeavor to effect the liberation of his sovereign; and accordingly, +after assembling his troops from different quarters, the first thing he +did was to despatch a messenger to Hmvern, with a letter, demanding +the release of the prisoners; and in the event of a refusal, declaring +the king should suffer the same fate as the White Demon and the +magician-monarch of Mzindern. Although this threat produced +considerable alarm in the breast of the king of Hmvern, he arrogantly +replied, that if Rustem wished to be placed in the same situation as +Ks, he was welcome to come as soon as he liked. + +Upon hearing this defiance, Rustem left Zbulistn, and after an arduous +journey by land and water, arrived at the confines of Hmvern. The +king of that country, roused by the noise and uproar, and bold aspect of +the invading army, drew up his own forces, and a battle ensued, but he +was unequal to stand his ground before the overwhelming courage of +Rustem. His troops fled in confusion, and then almost in despair he +anxiously solicited assistance from the chiefs of Berber and Misser, +which was immediately given. Thus three kings and their armies were +opposed to the power and resources of one man. Their formidable array +covered an immense space. + + Each proud his strongest force to bring, + The eagle of valour flapped his wing. + +But when the King of Hmvern beheld the person of Rustem in all its +pride and strength, and commanding power, he paused with apprehension +and fear, and intrenched himself well behind his own troops. Rustem, on +the contrary, was full of confidence. + + "What, though there be a hundred thousand men + Pitched against one, what use is there in numbers + When Heaven is on my side: with Heaven my friend, + The foe will soon be mingled with the dust." + +Having ordered the trumpets to sound, he rushed on the enemy, mounted on +Rakush, and committed dreadful havoc among them. + + It would be difficult to tell + How many heads, dissevered, fell, + Fighting his dreadful way; + On every side his falchion gleamed, + Hot blood in every quarter streamed + On that tremendous day. + +The chief of Hmvern and his legions were the first to shrink from the +conflict; and then the King of Misser, ashamed of their cowardice, +rapidly advanced towards the champion with the intention of punishing +him for his temerity, but he had no sooner received one of Rustem's hard +blows on his head, than he turned to flight, and thus hoped to escape +the fury of his antagonist. That fortune, however, was denied him, for +being instantly pursued, he was caught with the kamund, or noose, thrown +round his loins, dragged from his horse, and safely delivered into the +hands of Bhrm, who bound him, and kept him by his side. + + Ring within ring the lengthening kamund flew, + And from his steed the astonished monarch drew. + +Having accomplished this signal capture, Rustem proceeded against the +troops under the Shh of Berberistn, which, valorously aided as he was, +by Zra, he soon vanquished and dispatched; and impelling Rakush +impetuously forward upon the shh himself, made him and forty of his +principal chiefs prisoners of war. The King of Hmvern, seeing the +horrible carnage, and the defeat of all his expectations, speedily sent +a messenger to Rustem, to solicit a suspension of the fight, offering to +deliver up Ks and all his warriors, and all the regal property and +treasure which had been plundered from him. The troops of the three +kingdoms also urgently prayed for quarter and protection, and Rustem +readily agreed to the proffered conditions. + + "Ks to liberty restore, + With all his chiefs, I ask no more; + For him alone I conquering came; + Than him no other prize I claim." + + + +THE RETURN OF KAI-KS + +It was a joyous day when Ks and his illustrious heroes were released +from their fetters, and removed from the mountain-fortress in which they +were confined. Rustem forthwith reseated him on his throne, and did not +fail to collect for the public treasury all the valuables of the three +states which had submitted to his power. The troops of Misser, +Berberistn, and Hmvern, having declared their allegiance to the +Persian king, the accumulated numbers increased Ks's army to upwards +of three hundred thousand men, horse and foot, and with this immense +force he moved towards Irn. Before marching, however, he sent a message +to Afrsiyb, commanding him to quit the country he had so unjustly +invaded, and recommending him to be contented with the territory of +Trn. + + "Hast thou forgotten Rustem's power, + When thou wert in that perilous hour + By him overthrown? Thy girdle broke, + Or thou hadst felt the conqueror's yoke. + Thy crowding warriors proved thy shield, + They saved and dragged thee from the field; + By them unrescued then, wouldst thou + Have lived to vaunt thy prowess now?" + +This message was received with bitter feelings of resentment by +Afrsiyb, who prepared his army for battle without delay, and promised +to bestow his daughter in marriage and a kingdom upon the man who should +succeed in taking Rustem alive. + +This proclamation was a powerful excitement: and when the engagement +took place, mighty efforts were made for the reward; but those who +aspired to deserve it were only the first to fall. Afrsiyb beholding +the fall of so many of his chiefs, dashed forward to cope with the +champion: but his bravery was unavailing; for, suffering sharply under +the overwhelming attacks of Rustem, he was glad to effect his escape, +and retire from the field. In short, he rapidly retraced his steps to +Trn, leaving Ks in full possession of the kingdom. + + With anguish stricken, he regained his home, + After a wild and ignominious flight; + The world presenting nothing to his lips + But poison-beverage; all was death to him. + +Ks being again seated on the throne of Persia, he resumed the +administration of affairs with admirable justice and liberality, and +despatched some of his most distinguished warriors to secure the welfare +and prosperity of the states of Mervi, and Balkh, and Nshapr, and +Hrt. At the same time he conferred on Rustem the title of Jahni +Pahlvn, or, Champion of the World. + +In safety now from foreign and domestic enemies, Ks turned his +attention to pursuits very different from war and conquest. He directed +the Demons to construct two splendid palaces on the mountain Alberz, and +separate mansions for the accommodation of his household, which he +decorated in the most magnificent manner. All the buildings were +beautifully arranged both for convenience and pleasure; and gold and +silver and precious stones were used so lavishly, and the brilliancy +produced by their combined effect was so great, that night and day +appeared to be the same. + +Ibls, ever active, observing the vanity and ambition of the king, was +not long in taking advantage of the circumstance, and he soon persuaded +the Demons to enter into his schemes. Accordingly one of them, disguised +as a domestic servant, was instructed to present a nosegay to Ks; and +after respectfully kissing the ground, say to him:-- + + "Thou art great as king can be, + Boundless in thy majesty; + What is all this earth to thee, + All beneath the sky? + Peris, mortals, demons, hear + Thy commanding voice with fear; + Thou art lord of all things here, + But, thou canst not fly! + + "That remains for thee; to know + Things above, as things below, + How the planets roll; + How the sun his light displays, + How the moon darts forth her rays; + How the nights succeed the days; + What the secret cause betrays, + And who directs the whole!" + +This artful address of the Demon satisfied Ks of the imperfection of +his nature, and the enviable power which he had yet to obtain. To him, +therefore, it became matter of deep concern, how he might be enabled to +ascend the Heavens without wings, and for that purpose he consulted his +astrologers, who presently suggested a way in which his desires might be +successfully accomplished. + +They contrived to rob an eagle's nest of its young, which they reared +with great care, supplying them well with invigorating food, till they +grew large and strong. A framework of aloes-wood was then prepared; and +at each of the four corners was fixed perpendicularly, a javelin, +surmounted on the point with flesh of a goat. At each corner again one +of the eagles was bound, and in the middle Ks was seated in great pomp +with a goblet of wine before him. As soon as the eagles became hungry, +they endeavored to get at the goat's flesh upon the javelins, and by +flapping their wings and flying upwards, they quickly raised up the +throne from the ground. Hunger still pressing them, and still being +distant from their prey, they ascended higher and higher in the clouds, +conveying the astonished king far beyond his own country; but after long +and fruitless exertion their strength failed them, and unable to keep +their way, the whole fabric came tumbling down from the sky, and fell +upon a dreary solitude in the kingdom of Chn. There Ks was left, a +prey to hunger, alone, and in utter despair, until he was discovered by +a band of Demons, whom his anxious ministers had sent in search of him. + +Rustem, and Gdarz, and Ts, at length heard of what had befallen the +king, and with feelings of sorrow not unmixed with indignation, set off +to his assistance. "Since I was born," said Gdarz, "never did I see +such a man as Ks. He seems to be entirely destitute of reason and +understanding; always in distress and affliction. This is the third +calamity in which he has wantonly involved himself. First at Mzindern, +then at Hmvern, and now he is being punished for attempting to +discover the secrets of the Heavens!" When they reached the wilderness +into which Ks had fallen, Gdarz repeated to him the same +observations, candidly telling him that he was fitter for a mad-house +than a throne, and exhorting him to be satisfied with his lot and be +obedient to God, the creator of all things. The miserable king was +softened to tears, acknowledged his folly; and as soon as he was +escorted back to his palace, he shut himself up, remaining forty days, +unseen, prostrating himself in shame and repentance. After that he +recovered his spirits, and resumed the administration of affairs with +his former liberality, clemency, and justice, almost rivalling the glory +of Feridn and Jemshd. + +One day Rustem made a splendid feast; and whilst he and his brother +warriors, Gw and Gdarz, and Ts, were quaffing their wine, it was +determined upon to form a pretended hunting party, and repair to the +sporting grounds of Afrsiyb. The feast lasted seven days; and on the +eighth, preparations were made for the march, an advance party being +pushed on to reconnoitre the motions of the enemy. Afrsiyb was soon +informed of what was going on, and flattered himself with the hopes of +getting Rustem and his seven champions into his thrall, for which +purpose he called together his wise men and warriors, and said to them: +"You have only to secure these invaders, and Ks will soon cease to be +the sovereign of Persia." To accomplish this object, a Trnian army of +thirty thousand veterans was assembled, and ordered to occupy all the +positions and avenues in the vicinity of the sporting grounds. An +immense clamor, and thick clouds of dust, which darkened the skies, +announced their approach; and when intelligence of their numbers was +brought to Rustem, the undaunted champion smiled, and said to Garz: +"Fortune favors me; what cause is there to fear the king of Trn? his +army does not exceed a hundred thousand men. Were I alone, with Rakush, +with my armor, and battle-axe, I would not shrink from his legions. Have +I not seven companions in arms, and is not one of them equal to five +hundred Trnian heroes? Let Afrsiyb dare to cross the boundary-river, +and the contest will presently convince him that he has only sought his +own defeat." Promptly at a signal the cup-bearer produced goblets of the +red wine of Zbul; and in one of them Rustem pledged his royal master +with loyalty, and Ts and Zra joined in the convivial and social +demonstration of attachment to the king. + +The champion arrayed in his buburiyn, mounted Rakush, and advanced +towards the Trnian army. Afrsiyb, when he beheld him in all his +terrible strength and vigor, was amazed and disheartened, accompanied, +as he was, by Ts, and Gdarz, and Gurgn, and Gw, and Bhrm, and +Berzn, and Ferhd. The drums and trumpets of Rustem were now heard, and +immediately the hostile forces engaged with dagger, sword, and javelin. +Dreadful was the onset, and the fury with which the conflict was +continued. In truth, so sanguinary and destructive was the battle that +Afrsiyb exclaimed in grief and terror: "If this carnage lasts till the +close of day, not a man of my army will remain alive. Have I not one +warrior endued with sufficient bravery to oppose and subdue this mighty +Rustem? What! not one fit to be rewarded with a diadem, with my own +throne and kingdom, which I will freely give to the victor!" Plsum +heard the promise, and was ambitious of earning the reward; but fate +decreed it otherwise. His prodigious efforts were of no avail. Alks was +equally unsuccessful, though the bravest of the brave among the Trnian +warriors. Encountering Rustem, his brain was pierced by a javelin +wielded by the Persian hero, and he fell dead from his saddle. This +signal achievement astonished and terrified the Trnians, who, however, +made a further despairing effort against the champion and his seven +conquering companions, but with no better result than before, and +nothing remained to them excepting destruction or flight. Choosing the +latter they wheeled round, and endeavored to escape from the sanguinary +fate that awaited them. + +Seeing this precipitate movement of the enemy, Rustem impelled Rakush +forward in pursuit, addressing his favorite horse with fondness and +enthusiasm:-- + + "My valued friend--put forth thy speed, + This is a time of pressing need; + Bear me away amidst the strife, + That I may take that despot's life; + And with my mace and javelin, flood + This dusty plain with foe-man's blood." + + Excited by his master's cry, + The war-horse bounded o'er the plain, + So swiftly that he seemed to fly, + Snorting with pride, and tossing high + His streaming mane. + + And soon he reached that despot's side, + "Now is the time!" the Champion cried, + "This is the hour to victory given," + And flung his noose--which bound the king + Fast for a moment in its ring; + But soon, alas! the bond was riven. + + Haply the Tartar-monarch slipt away, + Not doomed to suffer on that bloody day; + And freed from thrall, he hurrying led + His legions cross the boundary-stream, + Leaving his countless heaps of dead + To rot beneath the solar beam. + + Onward he rushed with heart opprest, + And broken fortunes; he had quaffed + Bright pleasure's cup--but now, unblest, + Poison was mingled with the draught! + +The booty in horses, treasure, armor, pavilions, and tents, was immense; +and when the whole was secured, Rustem and his companions fell back to +the sporting-grounds already mentioned, from whence he informed Kai-ks +by letter of the victory that had been gained. After remaining two weeks +there, resting from the toils of war and enjoying the pleasures of +hunting, the party returned home to pay their respects to the Persian +king: + + And this is life! Thus conquest and defeat, + Vary the lights and shades of human scenes, + And human thought. Whilst some, immersed in pleasure, + Enjoy the sweets, others again endure + The miseries of the world. Hope is deceived + In this frail dwelling; certainty and safety + Are only dreams which mock the credulous mind; + Time sweeps o'er all things; why then should the wise + Mourn o'er events which roll resistless on, + And set at nought all mortal opposition? + + + +STORY OF SOHRB + + O ye, who dwell in Youth's inviting bowers, + Waste not, in useless joy, your fleeting hours, + But rather let the tears of sorrow roll, + And sad reflection fill the conscious soul. + For many a jocund spring has passed away, + And many a flower has blossomed, to decay; + And human life, still hastening to a close, + Finds in the worthless dust its last repose. + Still the vain world abounds in strife and hate, + And sire and son provoke each other's fate; + And kindred blood by kindred hands is shed, + And vengeance sleeps not--dies not, with the dead. + All nature fades--the garden's treasures fall, + Young bud, and citron ripe--all perish, all. + + And now a tale of sorrow must be told, + A tale of tears, derived from Mbid old, + And thus remembered.-- + + With the dawn of day, + Rustem arose, and wandering took his way, + Armed for the chase, where sloping to the sky, + Trn's lone wilds in sullen grandeur lie; + There, to dispel his melancholy mood, + He urged his matchless steed through glen and wood. + Flushed with the noble game which met his view, + He starts the wild-ass o'er the glistening dew; + And, oft exulting, sees his quivering dart, + Plunge through the glossy skin, and pierce the heart. + Tired of the sport, at length, he sought the shade, + Which near a stream embowering trees displayed, + And with his arrow's point, a fire he raised, + And thorns and grass before him quickly blazed. + The severed parts upon a bough he cast, + To catch the flames; and when the rich repast + Was drest; with flesh and marrow, savory food, + He quelled his hunger; and the sparkling flood + That murmured at his feet, his thirst represt; + Then gentle sleep composed his limbs to rest. + + Meanwhile his horse, for speed and form renown'd, + Ranged o'er the plain with flowery herbage crown'd, + Encumbering arms no more his sides opprest, + No folding mail confined his ample chest,[12] + Gallant and free, he left the Champion's side, + And cropp'd the mead, or sought the cooling tide; + When lo! it chanced amid that woodland chase, + A band of horsemen, rambling near the place, + Saw, with surprise, superior game astray, + And rushed at once to seize the noble prey; + But, in the imminent struggle, two beneath + His steel-clad hoofs received the stroke of death; + One proved a sterner fate--for downward borne, + The mangled head was from the shoulders torn. + Still undismayed, again they nimbly sprung, + And round his neck the noose entangling flung: + Now, all in vain, he spurns the smoking ground, + In vain the tumult echoes all around; + They bear him off, and view, with ardent eyes, + His matchless beauty and majestic size; + Then soothe his fury, anxious to obtain, + A bounding steed of his immortal strain. + + When Rustem woke, and miss'd his favourite horse, + The loved companion of his glorious course; + Sorrowing he rose, and, hastening thence, began + To shape his dubious way to Samengn; + "Reduced to journey thus, alone!" he said, + "How pierce the gloom which thickens round my head; + Burthen'd, on foot, a dreary waste in view, + Where shall I bend my steps, what path pursue? + The scoffing Turks will cry, 'Behold our might! + We won the trophy from the Champion-knight! + From him who, reckless of his fame and pride, + Thus idly slept, and thus ignobly died,'" + Girding his loins he gathered from the field, + His quivered stores, his beamy sword and shield, + Harness and saddle-gear were o'er him slung. + Bridle and mail across his shoulders hung.[13] + Then looking round, with anxious eye, to meet, + The broad impression of his charger's feet, + The track he hail'd, and following, onward prest. + While grief and hope alternate filled his breast. + + O'er vale and wild-wood led, he soon descries. + The regal city's shining turrets rise. + And when the Champion's near approach is known, + The usual homage waits him to the throne. + The king, on foot, received his welcome guest + With preferred friendship, and his coming blest: + But Rustem frowned, and with resentment fired, + Spoke of his wrongs, the plundered steed required. + "I've traced his footsteps to your royal town, + Here must he be, protected by your crown; + But if retained, if not from fetters freed, + My vengeance shall o'ertake the felon-deed." + "My honored guest!" the wondering King replied-- + "Shall Rustem's wants or wishes be denied? + But let not anger, headlong, fierce, and blind, + O'ercloud the virtues of a generous mind. + If still within the limits of my reign, + The well known courser shall be thine again: + For Rakush never can remain concealed, + No more than Rustem in the battle-field! + Then cease to nourish useless rage, and share + With joyous heart my hospitable fare." + + The son of Zl now felt his wrath subdued, + And glad sensations in his soul renewed. + The ready herald by the King's command, + Convened the Chiefs and Warriors of the land; + And soon the banquet social glee restored, + And China wine-cups glittered on the board; + And cheerful song, and music's magic power, + And sparkling wine, beguiled the festive hour. + The dulcet draughts o'er Rustem's senses stole, + And melting strains absorbed his softened soul. + But when approached the period of repose, + All, prompt and mindful, from the banquet rose; + A couch was spread well worthy such a guest, + Perfumed with rose and musk; and whilst at rest, + In deep sound sleep, the wearied Champion lay, + Forgot were all the sorrows of the way. + + One watch had passed, and still sweet slumber shed + Its magic power around the hero's head-- + When forth Tahmneh came--a damsel held + An amber taper, which the gloom dispelled, + And near his pillow stood; in beauty bright, + The monarch's daughter struck his wondering sight. + Clear as the moon, in glowing charms arrayed, + Her winning eyes the light of heaven displayed; + Her cypress form entranced the gazer's view, + Her waving curls, the heart, resistless, drew, + Her eye-brows like the Archer's bended bow; + Her ringlets, snares; her cheek, the rose's glow, + Mixed with the lily--from her ear-tips hung + Rings rich and glittering, star-like; and her tongue, + And lips, all sugared sweetness--pearls the while + Sparkled within a mouth formed to beguile. + Her presence dimmed the stars, and breathing round + Fragrance and joy, she scarcely touched the ground, + So light her step, so graceful--every part + Perfect, and suited to her spotless heart. + + Rustem, surprised, the gentle maid addressed, + And asked what lovely stranger broke his rest. + "What is thy name," he said--"what dost thou seek + Amidst the gloom of night? Fair vision, speak!" + + "O thou," she softly sigh'd, "of matchless fame! + With pity hear, Tahmneh is my name! + The pangs of love my anxious heart employ, + And flattering promise long-expected joy; + No curious eye has yet these features seen, + My voice unheard, beyond the sacred screen.[14] + How often have I listened with amaze, + To thy great deeds, enamoured of thy praise; + How oft from every tongue I've heard the strain, + And thought of thee--and sighed, and sighed again. + The ravenous eagle, hovering o'er his prey, + Starts at thy gleaming sword and flies away: + Thou art the slayer of the Demon brood, + And the fierce monsters of the echoing wood. + Where'er thy mace is seen, shrink back the bold, + Thy javelin's flash all tremble to behold. + Enchanted with the stories of thy fame, + My fluttering heart responded to thy name; + And whilst their magic influence I felt, + In prayer for thee devotedly I knelt; + And fervent vowed, thus powerful glory charms, + No other spouse should bless my longing arms. + Indulgent heaven propitious to my prayer, + Now brings thee hither to reward my care. + Trn's dominions thou hast sought, alone, + By night, in darkness--thou, the mighty one! + O claim my hand, and grant my soul's desire; + Ask me in marriage of my royal sire; + Perhaps a boy our wedded love may crown, + Whose strength like thine may gain the world's renown. + Nay more--for Samengn will keep my word-- + Rakush to thee again shall be restored." + + The damsel thus her ardent thought expressed, + And Rustem's heart beat joyous in his breast, + Hearing her passion--not a word was lost, + And Rakush safe, by him still valued most; + He called her near; with graceful step she came, + And marked with throbbing pulse his kindled flame. + + And now a Mbid, from the Champion-knight, + Requests the royal sanction to the rite; + O'erjoyed, the King the honoured suit approves, + O'erjoyed to bless the doting child he loves, + And happier still, in showering smiles around, + To be allied to warrior so renowned. + When the delighted father, doubly blest, + Resigned his daughter to his glorious guest, + The people shared the gladness which it gave, + The union of the beauteous and the brave. + To grace their nuptial day--both old and young, + The hymeneal gratulations sung: + "May this young moon bring happiness and joy, + And every source of enmity destroy." + The marriage-bower received the happy pair, + And love and transport shower'd their blessings there. + + Ere from his lofty sphere the morn had thrown + His glittering radiance, and in splendour shone, + The mindful Champion, from his sinewy arm, + His bracelet drew, the soul-ennobling charm; + And, as he held the wondrous gift with pride, + He thus address'd his love-devoted bride! + "Take this," he said, "and if, by gracious heaven, + A daughter for thy solace should be given, + Let it among her ringlets be displayed, + And joy and honour will await the maid; + But should kind fate increase the nuptial-joy, + And make thee mother of a blooming boy, + Around his arm this magic bracelet bind, + To fire with virtuous deeds his ripening mind; + The strength of Sm will nerve his manly form, + In temper mild, in valour like the storm; + His not the dastard fate to shrink, or turn + From where the lions of the battle burn; + To him the soaring eagle from the sky + Will stoop, the bravest yield to him, or fly; + Thus shall his bright career imperious claim + The well-won honours of immortal fame!" + Ardent he said, and kissed her eyes and face, + And lingering held her in a fond embrace. + + When the bright sun his radiant brow displayed, + And earth in all its loveliest hues arrayed, + The Champion rose to leave his spouse's side, + The warm affections of his weeping bride. + For her, too soon the winged moments flew, + Too soon, alas! the parting hour she knew; + Clasped in his arms, with many a streaming tear, + She tried, in vain, to win his deafen'd ear; + Still tried, ah fruitless struggle! to impart, + The swelling anguish of her bursting heart. + + The father now with gratulations due + Rustem approaches, and displays to view + The fiery war-horse--welcome as the light + Of heaven, to one immersed in deepest night; + The Champion, wild with joy, fits on the rein, + And girds the saddle on his back again; + Then mounts, and leaving sire and wife behind, + Onward to Sstn rushes like the wind. + + But when returned to Zbul's friendly shade, + None knew what joys the Warrior had delayed; + Still, fond remembrance, with endearing thought, + Oft to his mind the scene of rapture brought. + + When nine slow-circling months had roll'd away, + Sweet-smiling pleasure hailed the brightening day-- + A wondrous boy Tahmneh's tears supprest, + And lull'd the sorrows of her heart to rest; + To him, predestined to be great and brave, + The name Sohrb his tender mother gave; + And as he grew, amazed, the gathering throng, + View'd his large limbs, his sinews firm and strong; + His infant years no soft endearment claimed: + Athletic sports his eager soul inflamed; + Broad at the chest and taper round the loins, + Where to the rising hip the body joins; + Hunter and wrestler; and so great his speed, + He could overtake, and hold the swiftest steed. + His noble aspect, and majestic grace, + Betrayed the offspring of a glorious race. + How, with a mother's ever anxious love, + Still to retain him near her heart she strove! + For when the father's fond inquiry came, + Cautious, she still concealed his birth and name, + And feign'd a daughter born, the evil fraught + With misery to avert--but vain the thought; + Not many years had passed, with downy flight, + Ere he, Tahmneh's wonder and delight, + With glistening eye, and youthful ardour warm, + Filled her foreboding bosom with alarm. + "O now relieve my heart!" he said, "declare, + From whom I sprang and breathe the vital air. + Since, from my childhood I have ever been, + Amidst my play-mates of superior mien; + Should friend or foe demand my father's name, + Let not my silence testify my shame! + If still concealed, you falter, still delay, + A mother's blood shall wash the crime away." + + "This wrath forego," the mother answering cried, + "And joyful hear to whom thou art allied. + A glorious line precedes thy destined birth, + The mightiest heroes of the sons of earth. + The deeds of Sm remotest realms admire, + And Zl, and Rustem thy illustrious sire!" + + In private, then, she Rustem's letter placed + Before his view, and brought with eager haste + Three sparkling rubies, wedges three of gold, + From Persia sent--"Behold," she said, "behold + Thy father's gifts, will these thy doubts remove + The costly pledges of paternal love! + Behold this bracelet charm, of sovereign power + To baffle fate in danger's awful hour; + But thou must still the perilous secret keep, + Nor ask the harvest of renown to reap; + For when, by this peculiar signet known, + Thy glorious father shall demand his son, + Doomed from her only joy in life to part, + O think what pangs will rend thy mother's heart!-- + Seek not the fame which only teems with woe; + Afrsiyb is Rustem's deadliest foe! + And if by him discovered, him I dread, + Revenge will fail upon thy guiltless head." + + The youth replied: "In vain thy sighs and tears, + The secret breathes and mocks thy idle fears. + No human power can fate's decrees control, + Or check the kindled ardour of my soul. + Then why from me the bursting truth conceal? + My father's foes even now my vengeance feel; + Even now in wrath my native legions rise, + And sounds of desolation strike the skies; + Ks himself, hurled from his ivory throne, + Shall yield to Rustem the imperial crown, + And thou, my mother, still in triumph seen, + Of lovely Persia hailed the honoured queen! + Then shall Trn unite beneath my hand, + And drive this proud oppressor from the land! + Father and Son, in virtuous league combined, + No savage despot shall enslave mankind; + When Sun and Moon o'er heaven refulgent blaze, + Shall little stars obtrude their feeble rays?"[15] + + He paused, and then: "O mother, I must now + My father seek, and see his lofty brow; + Be mine a horse, such as a prince demands, + Fit for the dusty field, a warrior's hands; + Strong as an elephant his form should be, + And chested like the stag, in motion free, + And swift as bird, or fish; it would disgrace + A warrior bold on foot to show his face." + + The mother, seeing how his heart was bent, + His day-star rising in the firmament, + Commands the stables to be searched to find + Among the steeds one suited to his mind; + Pressing their backs he tries their strength and nerve, + Bent double to the ground their bellies curve; + Not one, from neighbouring plain and mountain brought, + Equals the wish with which his soul is fraught; + Fruitless on every side he anxious turns, + Fruitless, his brain with wild impatience burns, + But when at length they bring the destined steed, + From Rakush bred, of lightning's winged speed, + Fleet, as the arrow from the bow-string flies, + Fleet, as the eagle darting through the skies, + Rejoiced he springs, and, with a nimble bound, + Vaults in his seat, and wheels the courser round; + "With such a horse--thus mounted, what remains? + Ks, the Persian King, no longer reigns!" + High flushed he speaks--with youthful pride elate, + Eager to crush the Monarch's glittering state; + He grasps his javelin with a hero's might, + And pants with ardour for the field of fight. + + Soon o'er the realm his fame expanding spread, + And gathering thousands hasten'd to his aid. + His Grand-sire, pleased, beheld the warrior-train + Successive throng and darken all the plain; + And bounteously his treasures he supplied, + Camels, and steeds, and gold.--In martial pride, + Sohrb was seen--a Grecian helmet graced + His brow--and costliest mail his limbs embraced. + + Afrsiyb now hears with ardent joy, + The bold ambition of the warrior-boy, + Of him who, perfumed with the milky breath + Of infancy, was threatening war and death, + And bursting sudden from his mother's side, + Had launched his bark upon the perilous tide. + + The insidious King sees well the tempting hour, + Favouring his arms against the Persian power, + And thence, in haste, the enterprise to share, + Twelve thousand veterans selects with care; + To Hmn and Brmn the charge consigns, + And thus his force with Samengn combines; + But treacherous first his martial chiefs he prest, + To keep the secret fast within their breast:-- + "For this bold youth must not his father know, + Each must confront the other as his foe-- + Such is my vengeance! With unhallowed rage, + Father and Son shall dreadful battle wage! + Unknown the youth shall Rustem's force withstand, + And soon o'erwhelm the bulwark of the land. + Rustem removed, the Persian throne is ours, + An easy conquest to confederate powers; + And then, secured by some propitious snare, + Sohrb himself our galling bonds shall wear. + Or should the Son by Rustem's falchion bleed, + The father's horror at that fatal deed, + Will rend his soul, and 'midst his sacred grief, + Ks in vain will supplicate relief." + + The tutored chiefs advance with speed, and bring + Imperial presents to the future king; + In stately pomp the embassy proceeds; + Ten loaded camels, ten unrivalled steeds, + A golden crown, and throne, whose jewels bright + Gleam in the sun, and shed a sparkling light, + A letter too the crafty tyrant sends, + And fraudful thus the glorious aim commends.-- + "If Persia's spoils invite thee to the field, + Accept the aid my conquering legions yield; + Led by two Chiefs of valour and renown, + Upon thy head to place the kingly crown." + + Elate with promised fame, the youth surveys + The regal vest, the throne's irradiant blaze, + The golden crown, the steeds, the sumptuous load + Of ten strong camels, craftily bestowed; + Salutes the Chiefs, and views on every side, + The lengthening ranks with various arms supplied. + The march begins--the brazen drums resound,[16] + His moving thousands hide the trembling ground; + For Persia's verdant land he wields the spear, + And blood and havoc mark his groaning rear.[17] + + To check the Invader's horror-spreading course, + The barrier-fort opposed unequal force; + That fort whose walls, extending wide, contained + The stay of Persia, men to battle trained. + Soon as Hujr the dusky crowd descried, + He on his own presumptuous arm relied, + And left the fort; in mail with shield and spear, + Vaunting he spoke--"What hostile force is here? + What Chieftain dares our war-like realms invade?" + "And who art thou?" Sohrb indignant said, + Rushing towards him with undaunted look-- + "Hast thou, audacious! nerve and soul to brook + The crocodile in fight, that to the strife + Singly thou comest, reckless of thy life?" + + To this the foe replied--"A Turk and I + Have never yet been bound in friendly tie; + And soon thy head shall, severed by my sword, + Gladden the sight of Persia's mighty lord, + While thy torn limbs to vultures shall be given, + Or bleach beneath the parching blast of heaven." + + The youthful hero laughing hears the boast, + And now by each continual spears are tost, + Mingling together; like a flood of fire + The boaster meets his adversary's ire; + The horse on which he rides, with thundering pace, + Seems like a mountain moving from its base; + Sternly he seeks the stripling's loins to wound, + But the lance hurtless drops upon the ground; + Sohrb, advancing, hurls his steady spear + Full on the middle of the vain Hujr, + Who staggers in his seat. With proud disdain + The youth now flings him headlong on the plain, + And quick dismounting, on his heaving breast + Triumphant stands, his Khunjer firmly prest, + To strike the head off--but the blow was stayed--Trembling, + for life, the craven boaster prayed. + That mercy granted eased his coward mind, + Though, dire disgrace, in captive bonds confined, + And sent to Hmn, who amazed beheld + How soon Sohrb his daring soul had quelled. + + When Grd-afrd, a peerless warrior-dame, + Heard of the conflict, and the hero's shame, + Groans heaved her breast, and tears of anger flowed, + Her tulip cheek with deeper crimson glowed; + Speedful, in arms magnificent arrayed, + A foaming palfrey bore the martial maid; + The burnished mail her tender limbs embraced, + Beneath her helm her clustering locks she placed; + Poised in her hand an iron javelin gleamed, + And o'er the ground its sparkling lustre streamed; + Accoutred thus in manly guise, no eye + However piercing could her sex descry; + Now, like a lion, from the fort she bends, + And 'midst the foe impetuously descends; + Fearless of soul, demands with haughty tone, + The bravest chief, for war-like valour known, + To try the chance of fight. In shining arms, + Again Sohrb the glow of battle warms; + With scornful smiles, "Another deer!" he cries, + "Come to my victor-toils, another prize!" + The damsel saw his noose insidious spread, + And soon her arrows whizzed around his head; + With steady skill the twanging bow she drew, + And still her pointed darts unerring flew; + For when in forest sports she touched the string, + Never escaped even bird upon the wing; + Furious he burned, and high his buckler held, + To ward the storm, by growing force impell'd; + And tilted forward with augmented wrath, + But Grd-frd aspires to cross his path; + Now o'er her back the slacken'd bow resounds; + She grasps her lance, her goaded courser bounds, + Driven on the youth with persevering might-- + Unconquer'd courage still prolongs the fight; + The stripling Chief shields off the threaten'd blow, + Reins in his steed, then rushes on the foe; + With outstretch'd arm, he bending backwards hung, + And, gathering strength, his pointed javelin flung; + Firm through her girdle belt the weapon went, + And glancing down the polish'd armour rent. + Staggering, and stunned by his superior force, + She almost tumbled from her foaming horse, + Yet unsubdued, she cut the spear in two, + And from her side the quivering fragment drew, + Then gain'd her seat, and onward urged her steed, + But strong and fleet Sohrb arrests her speed: + Strikes off her helm, and sees--a woman's face, + Radiant with blushes and commanding grace! + Thus undeceived, in admiration lost, + He cries, "A woman, from the Persian host! + If Persian damsels thus in arms engage, + Who shall repel their warrior's fiercer rage?" + Then from his saddle thong--his noose he drew, + And round her waist the twisted loop he threw-- + "Now seek not to escape," he sharply said, + "Such is the fate of war, unthinking maid! + And, as such beauty seldom swells our pride, + Vain thy attempt to cast my toils aside." + + In this extreme, but one resource remained, + Only one remedy her hope sustained-- + Expert in wiles each siren-art she knew, + And thence exposed her blooming face to view; + Raising her full black orbs, serenely bright, + In all her charms she blazed before his sight; + And thus addressed Sohrb--"O warrior brave, + Hear me, and thy imperilled honour save, + These curling tresses seen by either host, + A woman conquered, whence the glorious boast? + Thy startled troops will know, with inward grief, + A woman's arm resists their towering chief, + Better preserve a warrior's fair renown, + And let our struggle still remain unknown, + For who with wanton folly would expose + A helpless maid, to aggravate her woes; + The fort, the treasure, shall thy toils repay, + The chief, and garrison, thy will obey, + And thine the honours of this dreadful day." + + Raptured he gazed, her smiles resistless move + The wildest transports of ungoverned love. + Her face disclosed a paradise to view, + Eyes like the fawn, and cheeks of rosy hue-- + Thus vanquished, lost, unconscious of her aim, + And only struggling with his amorous flame, + He rode behind, as if compelled by fate, + And heedless saw her gain the castle-gate. + + Safe with her friends, escaped from brand and spear, + Smiling she stands, as if unknown to fear. + --The father now, with tearful pleasure wild, + Clasps to his heart his fondly-foster'd child; + The crowding warriors round her eager bend, + And grateful prayers to favouring heaven ascend. + + Now from the walls, she, with majestic air, + Exclaims: "Thou warrior of Trn! forbear, + Why vex thy soul, and useless strife demand! + Go, and in peace enjoy thy native land." + Stern he rejoins: "Thou beauteous tyrant! say, + Though crown'd with charms, devoted to betray, + When these proud walls, in dust and ruins laid, + Yield no defence, and thou a captive maid, + Will not repentance through thy bosom dart, + And sorrow soften that disdainful heart?" + + Quick she replied: "O'er Persia's fertile fields + The savage Turk in vain his falchion wields; + When King Ks this bold invasion hears, + And mighty Rustem clad in arms appears! + Destruction wide will glut the slippery plain, + And not one man of all thy host remain. + Alas! that bravery, high as thine, should meet + Amidst such promise, with a sure defeat, + But not a gleam of hope remains for thee, + Thy wondrous valour cannot keep thee free. + Avert the fate which o'er thy head impends, + Return, return, and save thy martial friends!" + + Thus to be scorned, defrauded of his prey, + With victory in his grasp--to lose the day! + Shame and revenge alternate filled his mind; + The suburb-town to pillage he consigned, + And devastation--not a dwelling spared; + The very owl was from her covert scared; + Then thus: "Though luckless in my aim to-day, + To-morrow shall behold a sterner fray; + This fort, in ashes, scattered o'er the plain." + He ceased--and turned towards his troops again; + There, at a distance from the hostile power, + He brooding waits the slaughter-breathing hour. + + Meanwhile the sire of Grd-afrd, who now + Governed the fort, and feared the warrior's vow; + Mournful and pale, with gathering woes opprest, + His distant Monarch trembling thus addrest. + But first invoked the heavenly power to shed + Its choicest blessings o'er his royal head. + "Against our realm with numerous foot and horse, + A stripling warrior holds his ruthless course. + His lion-breast unequalled strength betrays, + And o'er his mien the sun's effulgence plays: + Sohrb his name; like Sm Suwr he shows, + Or Rustem terrible amidst his foes. + The bold Hujr lies vanquished on the plain, + And drags a captive's ignominious chain; + Myriads of troops besiege our tottering wall, + And vain the effort to suspend its fall. + Haste, arm for fight, this Tartar-power withstand, + Let sweeping Vengeance lift her flickering brand; + Rustem alone may stem the roaring wave, + And, prompt as bold, his groaning country save. + Meanwhile in flight we place our only trust, + Ere the proud ramparts crumble in the dust." + + Swift flies the messenger through secret ways, + And to the King the dreadful tale conveys, + Then passed, unseen, in night's concealing shade, + The mournful heroes and the warrior maid. + + Soon as the sun with vivifying ray, + Gleams o'er the landscape, and renews the day; + The flaming troops the lofty walls surround, + With thundering crash the bursting gates resound. + Already are the captives bound, in thought, + And like a herd before the conqueror brought; + Sohrb, terrific o'er the ruin, views + His hopes deceived, but restless still pursues. + An empty fortress mocks his searching eye, + No steel-clad chiefs his burning wrath defy; + No warrior-maid reviving passion warms, + And soothes his soul with fondly-valued charms. + Deep in his breast he feels the amorous smart, + And hugs her image closer to his heart. + "Alas! that Fate should thus invidious shroud + The moon's soft radiance in a gloomy cloud; + Should to my eyes such winning grace display, + Then snatch the enchanter of my soul away! + A beauteous roe my toils enclosed in vain, + Now I, her victim, drag the captive's chain; + Strange the effects that from her charms proceed, + I gave the wound, and I afflicted bleed! + Vanquished by her, I mourn the luckless strife; + Dark, dark, and bitter, frowns my morn of life. + A fair unknown my tortured bosom rends, + Withers each joy, and every hope suspends." + + Impassioned thus Sohrb in secret sighed, + And sought, in vain, o'er-mastering grief to hide. + Can the heart bleed and throb from day to day, + And yet no trace its inmost pangs betray? + Love scorns control, and prompts the labouring sigh, + Pales the red lip, and dims the lucid eye; + His look alarmed the stern Trnian Chief, + Closely he mark'd his heart-corroding grief;-- + And though he knew not that the martial dame, + Had in his bosom lit the tender flame[18]; + Full well he knew such deep repinings prove, + The hapless thraldom of disastrous love. + Full well he knew some idol's musky hair, + Had to his youthful heart become a snare, + But still unnoted was the gushing tear, + Till haply he had gained his private ear:-- + "In ancient times, no hero known to fame, + Not dead to glory e'er indulged the flame; + Though beauty's smiles might charm a fleeting hour, + The heart, unsway'd, repelled their lasting power. + A warrior Chief to trembling love a prey? + What! weep for woman one inglorious day? + Canst thou for love's effeminate control, + Barter the glory of a warrior's soul? + Although a hundred damsels might be gained, + The hero's heart shall still be free, unchained. + Thou art our leader, and thy place the field + Where soldiers love to fight with spear and shield; + And what hast thou to do with tears and smiles, + The silly victim to a woman's wiles? + Our progress, mark! from far Trn we came, + Through seas of blood to gain immortal fame; + And wilt thou now the tempting conquest shun, + When our brave arms this Barrier-fort have won? + Why linger here, and trickling sorrows shed, + Till mighty Ks thunders o'er thy head! + Till Ts, and Gw, and Gdarz, and Bhrm, + And Rustem brave, Fermurz, and Rehm, + Shall aid the war! A great emprise is thine, + At once, then, every other thought resign; + For know the task which first inspired thy zeal, + Transcends in glory all that love can feel. + Rise, lead the war, prodigious toils require + Unyielding strength, and unextinguished fire; + Pursue the triumph with tempestuous rage, + Against the world in glorious strife engage, + And when an empire sinks beneath thy sway + (O quickly may we hail the prosperous day), + The fickle sex will then with blooming charms, + Adoring throng to bless thy circling arms!" + + Hmn's warm speech, the spirit-stirring theme, + Awoke Sohrb from his inglorious dream. + No more the tear his faded cheek bedewed, + Again ambition all his hopes renewed: + Swell'd his bold heart with unforgotten zeal, + The noble wrath which heroes only feel; + Fiercely he vowed at one tremendous stroke, + To bow the world beneath the tyrant's yoke! + "Afrsiyb," he cried, "shall reign alone, + The mighty lord of Persia's gorgeous throne!" + + Burning, himself, to rule this nether sphere, + These welcome tidings charmed the despot's ear. + Meantime Ks, this dire invasion known, + Had called his chiefs around his ivory throne: + There stood Gurgn, and Bhrm, and Gushwd, + And Ts, and Gw, and Gdrz, and Ferhd; + To them he read the melancholy tale, + Gust'hem had written of the rising bale; + Besought their aid and prudent choice, to form + Some sure defence against the threatening storm. + With one consent they urge the strong request, + To summon Rustem from his rural rest.-- + Instant a warrior-delegate they send, + And thus the King invites his patriot-friend, + + "To thee all praise, whose mighty arm alone, + Preserves the glory of the Persian throne! + Lo! Tartar hordes our happy realms invade; + The tottering state requires thy powerful aid; + A youthful Champion leads the ruthless host, + His savage country's widely-rumoured boast. + The Barrier-fortress sinks beneath his sway, + Hujr is vanquished, ruin tracks his way; + Strong as a raging elephant in fight, + No arm but thine can match his furious might. + Mzindern thy conquering prowess knew; + The Demon-king thy trenchant falchion slew, + The rolling heavens, abash'd with fear, behold + Thy biting sword, thy mace adorned with gold! + Fly to the succour of a King distress'd, + Proud of thy love, with thy protection blest. + When o'er the nation dread misfortunes lower, + Thou art the refuge, thou the saving power. + The chiefs assembled claim thy patriot vows, + Give to thy glory all that life allows; + And while no whisper breathes the direful tale, + O, let thy Monarch's anxious prayers prevail." + + Closing the fragrant page[19] o'ercome with dread, + The afflicted King to Gw, the warrior, said:-- + "Go, bind the saddle on thy fleetest horse, + Outstrip the tempest in thy rapid course, + To Rustem swift his country's woes convey, + Too true art thou to linger on the way; + Speed, day and night--and not one instant wait, + Whatever hour may bring thee to his gate." + + Followed no pause--to Gw enough was said, + Nor rest, nor taste of food, his speed delayed. + And when arrived, where Zbul's bowers exhale + Ambrosial sweets and scent the balmy gale, + The sentinel's loud voice in Rustem's ear, + Announced a messenger from Persia, near; + The Chief himself amidst his warriors stood, + Dispensing honours to the brave and good, + And soon as Gw had joined the martial ring, + (The sacred envoy of the Persian King), + He, with becoming loyalty inspired, + Asked what the monarch, what the state required; + But Gw, apart, his secret mission told-- + The written page was speedily unrolled. + + Struck with amazement, Rustem--"Now on earth + A warrior-knight of Sm's excelling worth? + Whence comes this hero of the prosperous star? + I know no Turk renowned, like him, in war; + He bears the port of Rustem too, 'tis said, + Like Sm, like Narmn, a warrior bred! + He cannot be my son, unknown to me; + Reason forbids the thought--it cannot be! + At Samengn, where once affection smiled, + To me Tahmneh bore her only child, + That was a daughter?" Pondering thus he spoke, + And then aloud--"Why fear the invader's yoke? + Why trembling shrink, by coward thoughts dismayed, + Must we not all in dust, at length, be laid? + But come, to Nrum's palace, haste with me, + And there partake the feast--from sorrow free; + Breathe, but awhile--ere we our toils renew, + And moisten the parched lip with needful dew. + Let plans of war another day decide, + We soon shall quell this youthful hero's pride. + The force of fire soon flutters and decays + When ocean, swelled by storms, its wrath displays. + What danger threatens! whence the dastard fear! + Rest, and at leisure share a warrior's cheer." + + In vain the Envoy prest the Monarch's grief; + The matchless prowess of the stripling chief; + How brave Hujr had felt his furious hand; + What thickening woes beset the shuddering land. + But Rustem, still, delayed the parting day, + And mirth and feasting rolled the hours away; + Morn following morn beheld the banquet bright, + Music and wine prolonged the genial rite; + Rapt by the witchery of the melting strain, + No thought of Ks touch'd his swimming brain.[20] + + The trumpet's clang, on fragrant breezes borne, + Now loud salutes the fifth revolving morn; + The softer tones which charm'd the jocund feast, + And all the noise of revelry, had ceased, + The generous horse, with rich embroidery deckt, + Whose gilded trappings sparkling light reflect, + Bears with majestic port the Champion brave, + And high in air the victor-banners wave. + Prompt at the martial call, Zra leads + His veteran troops from Zbul's verdant meads.[21] + + Ere Rustem had approached his journey's end, + Ts, Gdarz, Gushwd, met their champion-friend + With customary honours; pleased to bring + The shield of Persia to the anxious King. + But foaming wrath the senseless monarch swayed; + His friendship scorned, his mandate disobeyed, + Beneath dark brows o'er-shadowing deep, his eye + Red gleaming shone, like lightning through the sky + And when the warriors met his sullen view, + Frowning revenge, still more enraged he grew:-- + Loud to the Envoy thus he fiercely cried:-- + "Since Rustem has my royal power defied, + Had I a sword, this instant should his head + Roll on the ground; but let him now be led + Hence, and impaled alive."[22] Astounded Gw + Shrunk from such treatment of a knight so true; + But this resistance added to the flame, + And both were branded with revolt and shame; + Both were condemned, and Ts, the stern decree + Received, to break them on the felon-tree. + Could daring insult, thus deliberate given, + Escape the rage of one to frenzy driven? + No, from his side the nerveless Chief was flung, + Bent to the ground. Away the Champion sprung; + Mounted his foaming horse, and looking round-- + His boiling wrath thus rapid utterance found:-- + "Ungrateful King, thy tyrant acts disgrace + The sacred throne, and more, the human race; + Midst clashing swords thy recreant life I saved, + And am I now by Ts contemptuous braved?[23] + On me shall Ts, shall Ks dare to frown? + On me, the bulwark of the regal crown? + Wherefore should fear in Rustem's breast have birth, + Ks, to me, a worthless clod of earth! + Go, and thyself Sohrb's invasion stay, + Go, seize the plunderers growling o'er their prey! + Wherefore to others give the base command? + Go, break him on the tree with thine own hand. + Know, thou hast roused a warrior, great and free, + Who never bends to tyrant Kings like thee! + Was not this untired arm triumphant seen, + In Misser, Rm, Mzindern, and Chn! + And must I shrink at thy imperious nod! + Slave to no Prince, I only bow to God. + Whatever wrath from thee, proud King! may fall, + For thee I fought, and I deserve it all. + The regal sceptre might have graced my hand, + I kept the laws, and scorned supreme command. + When Kai-kobd and Alberz mountain strayed, + I drew him thence, and gave a warrior's aid; + Placed on his brows the long-contested crown, + Worn by his sires, by sacred right his own; + Strong in the cause, my conquering arms prevailed, + Wouldst thou have reign'd had Rustem's valour failed + When the White Demon raged in battle-fray, + Wouldst thou have lived had Rustem lost the day?" + Then to his friends: "Be wise, and shun your fate, + Fly the wide ruin which o'erwhelms the state; + The conqueror comes--the scourge of great and small, + And vultures, following fast, will gorge on all. + Persia no more its injured Chief shall view"-- + He said, and sternly from the court withdrew. + + The warriors now, with sad forebodings wrung, + Torn from that hope to which they proudly clung, + On Gdarz rest, to soothe with gentle sway, + The frantic King, and Rustem's wrath allay. + With bitter grief they wail misfortune's shock, + No shepherd now to guard the timorous flock. + Gdarz at length, with boding cares imprest, + Thus soothed the anger in the royal breast. + "Say, what has Rustem done, that he should be + Impaled upon the ignominious tree? + Degrading thought, unworthy to be bred + Within a royal heart, a royal head. + Hast thou forgot when near the Caspian-wave, + Defeat and ruin had appalled the brave, + When mighty Rustem struck the dreadful blow, + And nobly freed thee from the savage foe? + Did Demons huge escape his flaming brand? + Their reeking limbs bestrew'd the slippery strand. + Shall he for this resign his vital breath? + What! shall the hero's recompense be death? + But who will dare a threatening step advance, + What earthly power can bear his withering glance? + Should he to Zbul fired with wrongs return, + The plunder'd land will long in sorrow mourn! + This direful presage all our warriors feel, + For who can now oppose the invader's steel; + Thus is it wise thy champion to offend, + To urge to this extreme thy warrior-friend? + Remember, passion ever scorns control, + And wisdom's mild decrees should rule a Monarch's soul."[24] + Ks, relenting, heard with anxious ear, + And groundless wrath gave place to shame and fear; + "Go then," he cried, "his generous aid implore, + And to your King the mighty Chief restore!" + + When Gdarz rose, and seized his courser's rein, + A crowd of heroes followed in his train. + To Rustem, now (respectful homage paid), + The royal prayer he anxious thus conveyed. + "The King, repentant, seeks thy aid again, + Grieved to the heart that he has given thee pain; + But though his anger was unjust and strong, + Thy country still is guiltless of the wrong, + And, therefore, why abandoned thus by thee? + Thy help the King himself implores through me." + Rustem rejoined: "Unworthy the pretence, + And scorn and insult all my recompense? + Must I be galled by his capricious mood? + I, who have still his firmest champion stood? + But all is past, to heaven alone resigned, + No human cares shall more disturb my mind!" + Then Gdarz thus (consummate art inspired + His prudent tongue, with all that zeal required); + "When Rustem dreads Sohrb's resistless power, + Well may inferiors fly the trying hour! + The dire suspicion now pervades us all, + Thus, unavenged, shall beauteous Persia fall! + Yet, generous still, avert the lasting shame, + O, still preserve thy country's glorious fame! + Or wilt thou, deaf to all our fears excite, + Forsake thy friends, and shun the pending fight? + And worse, O grief! in thy declining days, + Forfeit the honours of thy country's praise?" + This artful censure set his soul on fire, + But patriot firmness calm'd his burning ire; + And thus he said--"Inured to war's alarms, + Did ever Rustem shun the din of arms? + Though frowns from Ks I disdain to bear, + My threatened country claims a warrior's care." + He ceased, and prudent joined the circling throng, + And in the public good forgot the private wrong. + + From far the King the generous Champion viewed, + And rising, mildly thus his speech pursued:-- + "Since various tempers govern all mankind, + Me, nature fashioned of a froward mind;[25] + And what the heavens spontaneously bestow, + Sown by their bounty must for ever grow. + The fit of wrath which burst within me, soon + Shrunk up my heart as thin as the new moon;[26] + Else had I deemed thee still my army's boast, + Source of my regal power, beloved the most, + Unequalled. Every day, remembering thee, + I drain the wine cup, thou art all to me; + I wished thee to perform that lofty part, + Claimed by thy valour, sanctioned by my heart; + Hence thy delay my better thoughts supprest, + And boisterous passions revelled in my breast; + But when I saw thee from my Court retire + In wrath, repentance quenched my burning ire. + O, let me now my keen contrition prove, + Again enjoy thy fellowship and love: + And while to thee my gratitude is known, + Still be the pride and glory of my throne." + + Rustem, thus answering said:--"Thou art the King, + Source of command, pure honour's sacred spring; + And here I stand to follow thy behest, + Obedient ever--be thy will expressed, + And services required--Old age shall see + My loins still bound in fealty to thee." + + To this the King:--"Rejoice we then to-day, + And on the morrow marshal our array." + The monarch quick commands the feast of joy, + And social cares his buoyant mind employ, + Within a bower, beside a crystal spring,[27] + Where opening flowers, refreshing odours fling, + Cheerful he sits, and forms the banquet scene, + In regal splendour on the crowded green; + And as around he greets his valiant bands, + Showers golden presents from his bounteous hands;[28] + Voluptuous damsels trill the sportive lay, + Whose sparkling glances beam celestial day; + Fill'd with delight the heroes closer join, + And quaff till midnight cups of generous wine. + + Soon as the Sun had pierced the veil of night, + And o'er the prospect shed his earliest light, + Ks, impatient, bids the clarions sound, + The sprightly notes from hills and rocks rebound; + His treasure gates are opened:--and to all + A largess given; obedient to the call, + His subjects gathering crowd the mountain's brow, + And following thousands shade the vales below; + With shields, in armor, numerous legions bend; + And troops of horse the threatening lines extend. + Beneath the tread of heroes fierce and strong, + By war's tumultuous fury borne along, + The firm earth shook: the dust, in eddies driven, + Whirled high in air, obscured the face of heaven; + Nor earth, nor sky appeared--all, seeming lost, + And swallowed up by that wide-spreading host. + The steely armour glitter'd o'er the fields,[29] + And lightnings flash'd from gold emblazoned shields; + Thou wouldst have said, the clouds had burst in showers, + Of sparkling amber o'er the martial powers.[30] + Thus, close embodied, they pursued their way, + And reached the Barrier-fort in terrible array. + + The legions of Trn, with dread surprise, + Saw o'er the plain successive myriads rise; + And showed them to Sohrb; he, mounting high + The fort, surveyed them with a fearless eye; + To Hmn, who, with withering terror pale, + Had marked their progress through the distant vale, + He pointed out the sight, and ardent said:-- + "Dispel these woe-fraught broodings from thy head, + I wage the war, Afrsiyb! for thee, + And make this desert seem a rolling sea." + Thus, while amazement every bosom quell'd, + Sohrb, unmoved, the coming storm beheld, + And boldly gazing on the camp around, + Raised high the cup with wine nectareous crowned: + O'er him no dreams of woe insidious stole, + No thought but joy engaged his ardent soul. + + The Persian legions had restrained their course, + Tents and pavilions, countless foot and horse, + Clothed all the spacious plain, and gleaming threw + Terrific splendours on the gazer's view. + But when the Sun had faded in the west, + And night assumed her ebon-coloured vest, + The mighty Chief approached the sacred throne, + And generous thus made danger all his own: + "The rules of war demand a previous task, + To watch this dreadful foe I boldly ask; + With wary step the wondrous youth to view, + And mark the heroes who his path pursue." + The King assents: "The task is justly thine, + Favourite of heaven, inspired by power divine." + In Turkish habit, secretly arrayed, + The lurking Champion wandered through the shade + And, cautious, standing near the palace gate, + Saw how the chiefs were ranged in princely state. + + What time Sohrb his thoughts to battle turned, + And for the first proud fruits of conquest burned, + His mother called a warrior to his aid, + And Zinda-ruzm his sister's call obeyed. + To him Tahmineh gave her only joy, + And bade him shield the bold adventurous boy: + "But, in the dreadful strife, should danger rise, + Present my child before his father's eyes! + By him protected, war may rage in vain, + Though he may never bless these arms again!" + This guardian prince sat on the stripling's right, + Viewing the imperial banquet with delight. + Hmn and Brmn, near the hero placed, + In joyous pomp the full assembly graced; + A hundred valiant Chiefs begirt the throne, + And, all elate, were chaunting his renown. + Closely concealed, the gay and splendid scene, + Rustem contemplates with astonished mien; + When Zind, retiring, marks the listener nigh, + Watching the festal train with curious eye; + And well he knew, amongst his Tartar host, + Such towering stature not a Chief could boast-- + "What spy is here, close shrouded by the night? + Art thou afraid to face the beams of light?" + But scarcely from his lips these words had past, + Ere, fell'd to earth, he groaning breathed his last; + Unseen he perish'd, fate decreed the blow, + To add fresh keenness to a parent's woe. + + Meantime Sohrb, perceiving the delay + In Zind's return, looked round him with dismay; + The seat still vacant--but the bitter truth, + Full soon was known to the distracted youth; + Full soon he found that Zinda-ruzm was gone, + His day of feasting and of glory done; + Speedful towards the fatal spot he ran, + Where slept in bloody vest the slaughtered man. + + The lighted torches now displayed the dead, + Stiff on the ground his graceful limbs were spread; + Sad sight to him who knew his guardian care, + Now doom'd a kinsman's early loss to bear; + Anguish and rage devour his breast by turns, + He vows revenge, then o'er the warrior mourns: + And thus exclaims to each afflicted Chief:-- + "No time, to-night, my friends, for useless grief; + The ravenous wolf has watched his helpless prey, + Sprung o'er the fold, and borne its flower away; + But if the heavens my lifted arm befriend, + Upon the guilty shall my wrath descend-- + Unsheathed, this sword shall dire revenge pursue, + And Persian blood the thirsty land bedew." + Frowning he paused, and check'd the spreading woe, + Resumed the feast, and bid the wine-cup flow! + + The valiant Gw was sentinel that night, + And marking dimly by the dubious light, + A warrior form approach, he claps his hands, + With naked sword and lifted shield he stands, + To front the foe; but Rustem now appears, + And Gw the secret tale astonished hears; + From thence the Champion on the Monarch waits. + The power and splendour of Sohrb relates: + "Circled by Chiefs this glorious youth was seen, + Of lofty stature and majestic mien; + No Tartar region gave the hero birth: + Some happier portion of the spacious earth; + Tall, as the graceful cypress he appears; + Like Sm, the brave, his warrior-front he rears!" + Then having told how, while the banquet shone, + Unhappy Zind had sunk, without a groan; + He forms his conquering bands in close array, + And, cheer'd by wine, awaits the coming day. + + When now the Sun his golden buckler raised, + And genial light through heaven diffusive blazed, + Sohrb in mail his nervous limbs attired, + For dreadful wrath his soul to vengeance fired; + With anxious haste he bent the yielding cord, + Ring within ring, more fateful than the sword; + Around his brows a regal helm he bound; + His dappled steed impatient stampt the ground. + Thus armed, ascending where the eye could trace + The hostile force, and mark each leader's place, + He called Hujr, the captive Chief addressed, + And anxious thus, his soul's desire expressed: + "A prisoner thou, if freedom's voice can charm, + And dungeon darkness fill thee with alarm, + That freedom merit, shun severest woe, + And truly answer what I ask to know! + If rigid truth thy ready speech attend, + Honours and wealth shall dignify my friend." + + "Obedient to thy wish," Hujr replied, + "Truth thou shalt hear, whatever chance betide; + For what on earth to praise has better claim? + Falsehood but leads to sorrow and to shame!" + + "Then say, what heroes lead the adverse host, + Where they command, what dignities they boast; + Say, where does Ks hold his kingly state, + Where Ts, and Gdarz, on his bidding wait; + Gw, Gust'hem, and Bhrm--all known to thee, + And where is mighty Rustem, where is he? + Look round with care, their names and power display + Or instant death shall end thy vital day." + + "Where yonder splendid tapestries extend, + And o'er pavilions bright infolding bend, + A throne triumphal shines with sapphire rays, + And golden suns upon the banners blaze; + Full in the centre of the hosts--and round + The tent a hundred elephants are bound, + As if, in pomp, he mocked the power of fate; + There royal Ks holds his kingly state. + + "In yonder tent which numerous guards protect, + Where front and rear illustrious Chiefs collect; + Where horsemen wheeling seem prepared for fight, + Their golden armour glittering in the light; + Ts lifts his banners, deck'd with royal pride, + Feared by the brave, the soldier's friend and guide.[31] + + "That crimson tent where spear-men frowning stand, + And steel-clad veterans form a threatening band, + Holds mighty Gdarz, famed for martial fire, + Of eighty valiant sons the valiant sire; + Yet strong in arms, he shuns inglorious ease, + His lion-banners floating in the breeze. + + "But mark, that green pavilion; girt around + By Persian nobles, speaks the Chief renowned; + Fierce on the standard, worked with curious art, + A hideous dragon writhing seems to start; + Throned in his tent the warrior's form is seen, + Towering above the assembled host between! + A generous horse before him snorts and neighs, + The trembling earth the echoing sound conveys. + Like him no Champion ever met my eyes, + No horse like that for majesty and size; + What Chief illustrious bears a port so high? + Mark, how his standard flickers through the sky!" + + Thus ardent spoke Sohrb. Hujr dismayed, + Paused ere reply the dangerous truth betrayed. + Trembling for Rustem's life the captive groaned; + Basely his country's glorious boast disowned, + And said the Chief from distant China came-- + Sohrb abrupt demands the hero's name; + The name unknown, grief wrings his aching heart, + And yearning anguish speeds her venom'd dart; + To him his mother gave the tokens true, + He sees them all, and all but mock his view. + When gloomy fate descends in evil hour, + Can human wisdom bribe her favouring power? + Yet, gathering hope, again with restless mien + He marks the Chiefs who crowd the warlike scene. + + "Where numerous heroes, horse and foot, appear, + And brazen trumpets thrill the listening ear, + Behold the proud pavilion of the brave! + With wolves emboss'd the silken banners wave. + The throne's bright gems with radiant lustre glow, + Slaves rank'd around with duteous homage bow. + What mighty Chieftain rules his cohorts there? + His name and lineage, free from guile, declare!" + + "Gw, son of Gdarz, long a glorious name, + Whose prowess even transcends his father's fame."[32] + + "Mark yonder tent of pure and dazzling white, + Whose rich brocade reflects a quivering light; + An ebon seat surmounts the ivory throne; + There frowns in state a warrior of renown. + The crowding slaves his awful nod obey, + And silver moons around his banners play; + What Chief, or Prince, has grasped the hostile sword? + Frburz, the son of Persia's mighty lord." + Again: "These standards show one champion more, + Upon their centre flames the savage boar;[33] + The saffron-hued pavilion bright ascends, + Whence many a fold of tasselled fringe depends; + Who there presides?" + + "Gurz, from heroes sprung, + Whose praise exceeds the power of mortal tongue." + + Thus, anxious, he explored the crowded field, + Nor once the secret of his birth revealed;[34] + Heaven will'd it so. Pressed down by silent grief, + Surrounding objects promised no relief. + This world to mortals still denies repose, + And life is still the scene of many woes. + Again his eye, instinctive turned, descried + The green pavilion, and the warrior's pride. + Again he cries: "O tell his glorious name; + Yon gallant horse declares the hero's fame!" + But false Hujr the aspiring hope repelled, + Crushed the fond wish, the soothing balm withheld, + "And why should I conceal his name from thee? + His name and title are unknown to me." + + Then thus Sohrb--"In all that thou hast said, + No sign of Rustem have thy words conveyed; + Thou sayest he leads the Persian host to arms, + With him has battle lost its boisterous charms? + Of him no trace thy guiding hand has shown; + Can power supreme remain unmark'd, unknown?" + + "Perhaps returned to Zbul's verdant bowers, + He undisturbed enjoys his peaceful hours, + The vernal banquets may constrain his stay, + And rural sports invite prolonged delay." + + "Ah! say not thus; the Champion of the world, + Shrink from the kindling war with banners furled! + It cannot be! Say where his lightnings dart, + Show me the warrior, all thou know'st impart; + Treasures uncounted shall be thy reward, + Death changed to life, my friendship more than shared. + Dost thou not know what, in the royal ear, + The Mbid said--befitting Kings to hear? + 'Untold, a secret is a jewel bright, + Yet profitless whilst hidden from the light; + But when revealed, in words distinctly given, + It shines refulgent as the sun through heaven.'"[35] + + To him, Hujr evasive thus replies: + "Through all the extended earth his glory flies! + Whenever dangers round the nation close, + Rustem approaches, and repels its foes; + And shouldst thou see him mix in mortal strife, + Thou'dst think 'twere easier to escape with life + From tiger fell, or demon--or the fold + Of the chafed dragon, than his dreadful hold-- + When fiercest battle clothes the fields with fire, + Before his rage embodied hosts retire!" + + "And where didst thou encountering armies see? + Why Rustem's praise so proudly urge to me? + Let us but meet and thou shalt trembling know, + How fierce that wrath which bids my bosom glow: + If living flames express his boundless ire, + O'erwhelming waters quench consuming fire! + And deepest darkness, glooms of ten-fold night, + Fly from the piercing beams of radiant light." + + Hujr shrunk back with undissembled dread, + And thus communing with himself, he said-- + "Shall I, regardless of my country, guide + To Rustem's tent this furious homicide? + And witness there destruction to our host? + The bulwark of the land for ever lost! + What Chief can then the Tartar power restrain! + Ks dethroned, the mighty Rustem slain! + Better a thousand deaths should lay me low, + Than, living, yield such triumph to the foe. + For in this struggle should my blood be shed, + No foul dishonour can pursue me, dead; + No lasting shame my father's age oppress, + Whom eighty sons of martial courage bless![36] + They for their brother slain, incensed will rise, + And pour their vengeance on my enemies." + Then thus aloud--"Can idle words avail? + Why still of Rustem urge the frequent tale? + Why for the elephant-bodied hero ask? + Thee, he will find--no uncongenial task. + Why seek pretences to destroy my life? + Strike, for no Rustem views th' unequal strife!" + + Sohrb confused, with hopeless anguish mourned, + Back from the lofty walls he quick returned, + And stood amazed. + + Now war and vengeance claim, + Collected thought and deeds of mighty name; + The jointed mail his vigorous body clasps, + His sinewy hand the shining javelin grasps; + Like a mad elephant he meets the foe, + His steed a moving mountain--deeply glow + His cheeks with passionate ardour, as he flies + Resistless onwards, and with sparkling eyes, + Full on the centre drives his daring horse--[37] + The yielding Persians fly his furious course; + As the wild ass impetuous springs away, + When the fierce lion thunders on his prey. + By every sign of strength and martial power, + They think him Rustem in his direst hour; + On Ks now his proud defiance falls, + Scornful to him the stripling warrior calls: + "And why art thou misnamed of royal strain? + What work of thine befits the tented plain? + This thirsty javelin seeks thy coward breast; + Thou and thy thousands doomed to endless rest. + True to my oath, which time can never change, + On thee, proud King! I hurl my just revenge. + The blood of Zind inspires my burning hate, + And dire resentment hurries on thy fate; + Whom canst thou send to try the desperate strife? + What valiant Chief, regardless of his life? + Where now can Frburz, Ts, Gw, Gdarz, be, + And the world-conquering Rustem, where is he?" + + No prompt reply from Persian lip ensued-- + Then rushing on, with demon-strength endued, + Sohrb elate his javelin waved around, + And hurled the bright pavilion to the ground; + With horror Ks feels destruction nigh, + And cries: "For Rustem's needful succour fly! + This frantic Turk, triumphant on the plain, + Withers the souls of all my warrior train." + That instant Ts the mighty Champion sought, + And told the deeds the Tartar Chief had wrought; + "'Tis ever thus, the brainless Monarch's due! + Shame and disaster still his steps pursue!" + This saying, from his tent he soon descried, + The wild confusion spreading far and wide; + And saddled Rakush--whilst, in deep dismay, + Girgn incessant cried--"Speed, speed, away." + Rehm bound on the mace, Ts promptly ran, + And buckled on the broad Burgustuwn. + Rustem, meanwhile, the thickening tumult hears + And in his heart, untouched by human fears, + Says: "What is this, that feeling seems to stun! + This battle must be led by Ahirmun,[38] + The awful day of doom must have begun." + In haste he arms, and mounts his bounding steed, + The growing rage demands redoubled speed; + The leopard's skin he o'er his shoulders throws, + The regal girdle round his middle glows.[39] + High wave his glorious banners; broad revealed, + The pictured dragons glare along the field + Borne by Zra. When, surprised, he views + Sohrb, endued with ample breast and thews, + Like Sm Suwr, he beckons him apart; + The youth advances with a gallant heart, + Willing to prove his adversary's might, + By single combat to decide the fight; + And eagerly, "Together brought," he cries, + "Remote from us be foemen, and allies, + And though at once by either host surveyed, + Ours be the strife which asks no mortal aid." + + Rustem, considerate, view'd him o'er and o'er, + So wondrous graceful was the form he bore, + And frankly said: "Experience flows with age, + And many a foe has felt my conquering rage; + Much have I seen, superior strength and art + Have borne my spear thro' many a demon's heart; + Only behold me on the battle plain, + Wait till thou see'st this hand the war sustain, + And if on thee should changeful fortune smile, + Thou needst not fear the monster of the Nile![40] + But soft compassion melts my soul to save, + A youth so blooming with a mind so brave!" + + The generous speech Sohrb attentive heard, + His heart expanding glowed at every word: + "One question answer, and in answering show, + That truth should ever from a warrior flow; + Art thou not Rustem, whose exploits sublime, + Endear his name thro' every distant clime?" + + "I boast no station of exalted birth, + No proud pretensions to distinguished worth; + To him inferior, no such powers are mine, + No offspring I of Nrum's glorious line!"[41] + + The prompt denial dampt his filial joy, + All hope at once forsook the Warrior-boy, + His opening day of pleasure, and the bloom + Of cherished life, immersed in shadowy gloom. + Perplexed with what his mother's words implied;-- + A narrow space is now prepared, aside, + For single combat. With disdainful glance + Each boldly shakes his death-devoting lance, + And rushes forward to the dubious fight; + Thoughts high and brave their burning souls excite; + Now sword to sword; continuous strokes resound, + Till glittering fragments strew the dusty ground. + Each grasps his massive club with added force,[42] + The folding mail is rent from either horse; + It seemed as if the fearful day of doom + Had, clothed in all its withering terrors, come. + Their shattered corslets yield defence no more-- + At length they breathe, defiled with dust and gore; + Their gasping throats with parching thirst are dry, + Gloomy and fierce they roll the lowering eye, + And frown defiance. Son and Father driven + To mortal strife! are these the ways of Heaven? + The various swarms which boundless ocean breeds, + The countless tribes which crop the flowery meads, + All know their kind, but hapless man alone + Has no instinctive feeling for his own! + Compell'd to pause, by every eye surveyed, + Rustem, with shame, his wearied strength betrayed; + Foil'd by a youth in battle's mid career, + His groaning spirit almost sunk with fear; + Recovering strength, again they fiercely meet; + Again they struggle with redoubled heat; + With bended bows they furious now contend; + And feather'd shafts in rattling showers descend; + Thick as autumnal leaves they strew the plain, + Harmless their points, and all their fury vain. + And now they seize each other's girdle-band; + Rustem, who, if he moved his iron hand, + Could shake a mountain, and to whom a rock + Seemed soft as wax, tried, with one mighty stroke, + To hurl him thundering from his fiery steed, + But Fate forbids the gallant youth should bleed; + Finding his wonted nerves relaxed, amazed + That hand he drops which never had been raised + Uncrowned with victory, even when demons fought, + And pauses, wildered with despairing thought. + Sohrb again springs with terrific grace, + And lifts, from saddle-bow, his ponderous mace; + With gather'd strength the quick-descending blow + Wounds in its fall, and stuns the unwary foe; + Then thus contemptuous: "All thy power is gone; + Thy charger's strength exhausted as thy own; + Thy bleeding wounds with pity I behold; + O seek no more the combat of the bold!" + + Rustem to this reproach made no reply, + But stood confused--meanwhile, tumultuously + The legions closed; with soul-appalling force, + Troop rushed on troop, o'erwhelming man and horse; + Sohrb, incensed, the Persian host engaged, + Furious along the scattered lines he raged; + Fierce as a wolf he rode on every side, + The thirsty earth with streaming gore was dyed. + Midst the Trnians, then, the Champion sped, + And like a tiger heaped the fields with dead. + But when the Monarch's danger struck his thought, + Returning swift, the stripling youth he sought; + Grieved to the soul, the mighty Champion view'd + His hands and mail with Persian blood imbrued; + And thus exclaimed with lion-voice--"O say, + Why with the Persians dost thou war to-day? + Why not with me alone decide the fight, + Thou'rt like a wolf that seek'st the fold by night." + + To this Sohrb his proud assent expressed-- + And Rustem, answering, thus the youth addressed. + "Night-shadows now are thickening o'er the plain, + The morrow's sun must see our strife again; + In wrestling let us then exert our might!" + He said, and eve's last glimmer sunk in night + + Thus as the skies a deeper gloom displayed, + The stripling's life was hastening into shade! + + The gallant heroes to their tents retired, + The sweets of rest their wearied limbs required: + Sohrb, delighted with his brave career, + Describes the fight in Hmn's anxious ear: + Tells how he forced unnumbered Chiefs to yield, + And stood himself the victor of the field! + "But let the morrow's dawn," he cried, "arrive, + And not one Persian shall the day survive; + Meanwhile let wine its strengthening balm impart, + And add new zeal to every drooping heart." + The valiant Gw with Rustem pondering stood, + And, sad, recalled the scene of death and blood; + Grief and amazement heaved the frequent sigh, + And almost froze the crimson current dry. + Rustem, oppressed by Gw's desponding thought, + Amidst his Chiefs the mournful Monarch sought; + To him he told Sohrb's tremendous sway, + The dire misfortunes of this luckless day; + Told with what grasping force he tried, in vain, + To hurl the wondrous stripling to the plain: + "The whispering zephyr might as well aspire + To shake a mountain--such his strength and fire. + But night came on--and, by agreement, we + Must meet again to-morrow--who shall be + Victorious, Heaven knows only:--for by Heaven, + Victory or death to man is ever given." + This said, the King, o'erwhelmed in deep despair, + Passed the dread night in agony and prayer. + + The Champion, silent, joined his bands at rest, + And spurned at length despondence from his breast; + Removed from all, he cheered Zra's heart, + And nerved his soul to bear a trying part:-- + "Ere early morning gilds the ethereal plain, + In martial order range my warrior-train; + And when I meet in all his glorious pride, + This valiant Turk whom late my rage defied, + Should fortune's smiles my arduous task requite, + Bring them to share the triumph of my might; + But should success the stripling's arm attend, + And dire defeat and death my glories end, + To their loved homes my brave associates guide; + Let bowery Zbul all their sorrows hide-- + Comfort my venerable father's heart; + In gentlest words my heavy fate impart. + The dreadful tidings to my mother bear, + And soothe her anguish with the tenderest care; + Say, that the will of righteous Heaven decreed, + That thus in arms her mighty son should bleed. + Enough of fame my various toils acquired, + When warring demons, bathed in blood, expired. + Were life prolonged a thousand lingering years, + Death comes at last and ends our mortal fears; + Kirshsp, and Sm, and Narmn, the best + And bravest heroes, who have ever blest + This fleeting world, were not endued with power, + To stay the march of fate one single hour; + The world for them possessed no fixed abode, + The path to death's cold regions must be trod; + Then, why lament the doom ordained for all? + Thus Jemshd fell, and thus must Rustem fall." + + When the bright dawn proclaimed the rising day, + The warriors armed, impatient of delay; + But first Sohrb, his proud confederate nigh, + Thus wistful spoke, as swelled the boding sigh-- + "Now, mark my great antagonist in arms! + His noble form my filial bosom warms; + My mother's tokens shine conspicuous here, + And all the proofs my heart demands, appear; + Sure this is Rustem, whom my eyes engage! + Shall I, O grief! provoke my Father's rage? + Offended Nature then would curse my name, + And shuddering nations echo with my shame." + He ceased, then Hmn: "Vain, fantastic thought, + Oft have I been where Persia's Champion fought; + And thou hast heard, what wonders he performed, + When, in his prime, Mzindern was stormed; + That horse resembles Rustem's, it is true, + But not so strong, nor beautiful to view." + + Sohrb now buckles on his war attire, + His heart all softness, and his brain all fire; + Around his lips such smiles benignant played, + He seemed to greet a friend, as thus he said:-- + "Here let us sit together on the plain, + Here, social sit, and from the fight refrain; + Ask we from heaven forgiveness of the past, + And bind our souls in friendship that may last; + Ours be the feast--let us be warm and free, + For powerful instinct draws me still to thee; + Fain would my heart in bland affection join, + Then let thy generous ardour equal mine; + And kindly say, with whom I now contend-- + What name distinguished boasts my warrior-friend! + Thy name unfit for champion brave to hide, + Thy name so long, long sought, and still denied; + Say, art thou Rustem, whom I burn to know? + Ingenuous say, and cease to be my foe!" + + Sternly the mighty Champion cried, "Away-- + Hence with thy wiles--now practised to delay; + The promised struggle, resolute, I claim, + Then cease to move me to an act of shame." + Sohrb rejoined--"Old man! thou wilt not hear + The words of prudence uttered in thine ear; + Then, Heaven! look on." + + Preparing for the shock, + Each binds his charger to a neighbouring rock; + And girds his loins, and rubs his wrists, and tries + Their suppleness and force, with angry eyes; + And now they meet--now rise, and now descend, + And strong and fierce their sinewy arms extend; + Wrestling with all their strength they grasp and strain, + And blood and sweat flow copious on the plain; + Like raging elephants they furious close; + Commutual wounds are given, and wrenching blows. + Sohrb now clasps his hands, and forward springs + Impatiently, and round the Champion clings; + Seizes his girdle belt, with power to tear + The very earth asunder; in despair + Rustem, defeated, feels his nerves give way, + And thundering falls. Sohrb bestrides his prey: + Grim as the lion, prowling through the wood, + Upon a wild ass springs, and pants for blood. + His lifted sword had lopt the gory head, + But Rustem, quick, with crafty ardour said:-- + "One moment, hold! what, are our laws unknown? + A Chief may fight till he is twice o'erthrown; + The second fall, his recreant blood is spilt, + These are our laws, avoid the menaced guilt." + + Proud of his strength, and easily deceived, + The wondering youth the artful tale believed; + Released his prey, and, wild as wind or wave, + Neglecting all the prudence of the brave, + Turned from the place, nor once the strife renewed, + But bounded o'er the plain and other cares pursued, + As if all memory of the war had died, + All thoughts of him with whom his strength was tried. + + Hmn, confounded at the stripling's stay, + Went forth, and heard the fortune of the day; + Amazed to find the mighty Rustem freed, + With deepest grief he wailed the luckless deed. + "What! loose a raging lion from the snare, + And let him growling hasten to his lair? + Bethink thee well; in war, from this unwise, + This thoughtless act what countless woes may rise; + Never again suspend the final blow, + Nor trust the seeming weakness of a foe!"[43] + "Hence with complaint," the dauntless youth replied, + "To-morrow's contest shall his fate decide." + + When Rustem was released, in altered mood + He sought the coolness of the murmuring flood; + There quenched his thirst; and bathed his limbs, and prayed, + Beseeching Heaven to yield its strengthening aid. + His pious prayer indulgent Heaven approved, + And growing strength through all his sinews moved;[44] + Such as erewhile his towering structure knew, + When his bold arm unconquered demons slew. + Yet in his mien no confidence appeared, + No ardent hope his wounded spirits cheered. + + Again they met. A glow of youthful grace, + Diffused its radiance o'er the stripling's face, + And when he saw in renovated guise, + The foe so lately mastered; with surprise, + He cried--"What! rescued from my power, again + Dost thou confront me on the battle plain? + Or, dost thou, wearied, draw thy vital breath, + And seek, from warrior bold, the shaft of death? + Truth has no charms for thee, old man; even now, + Some further cheat may lurk upon thy brow; + Twice have I shown thee mercy, twice thy age + Hath been thy safety--twice it soothed my rage." + Then mild the Champion: "Youth is proud and vain! + The idle boast a warrior would disdain; + This aged arm perhaps may yet control, + The wanton fury that inflames thy soul!" + + Again, dismounting, each the other viewed + With sullen glance, and swift the fight renewed; + Clenched front to front, again they tug and bend, + Twist their broad limbs as every nerve would rend; + With rage convulsive Rustem grasps him round; + Bends his strong back, and hurls him to the ground; + Him, who had deemed the triumph all his own; + But dubious of his power to keep him down, + Like lightning quick he gives the deadly thrust, + And spurns the Stripling weltering in the dust. + --Thus as his blood that shining steel imbrues, + Thine too shall flow, when Destiny pursues;[45] + For when she marks the victim of her power, + A thousand daggers speed the dying hour. + Writhing with pain Sohrb in murmurs sighed-- + And thus to Rustem--"Vaunt not, in thy pride; + Upon myself this sorrow have I brought, + Thou but the instrument of fate--which wrought + My downfall; thou are guiltless--guiltless quite; + O! had I seen my father in the fight, + My glorious father! Life will soon be o'er, + And his great deeds enchant my soul no more! + Of him my mother gave the mark and sign, + For him I sought, and what an end is mine! + My only wish on earth, my constant sigh, + Him to behold, and with that wish I die. + But hope not to elude his piercing sight, + In vain for thee the deepest glooms of night; + Couldst thou through Ocean's depths for refuge fly, + Or midst the star-beams track the upper sky! + Rustem, with vengeance armed, will reach thee there, + His soul the prey of anguish and despair." + + An icy horror chills the Champion's heart, + His brain whirls round with agonizing smart; + O'er his wan cheek no gushing sorrows flow, + Senseless he sinks beneath the weight of woe; + Relieved at length, with frenzied look, he cries: + "Prove thou art mine, confirm my doubting eyes! + For I am Rustem!" Piercing was the groan, + Which burst from his torn heart--as wild and lone, + He gazed upon him. Dire amazement shook + The dying youth, and mournful thus he spoke: + "If thou art Rustem, cruel is thy part, + No warmth paternal seems to fill thy heart; + Else hadst thou known me when, with strong desire, + I fondly claimed thee for my valiant sire; + Now from my body strip the shining mail, + Untie these bands, ere life and feeling fail; + And on my arm the direful proof behold! + Thy sacred bracelet of refulgent gold! + When the loud brazen drums were heard afar, + And, echoing round, proclaimed the pending war, + Whilst parting tears my mother's eyes o'erflowed, + This mystic gift her bursting heart bestowed: + 'Take this,' she said, 'thy father's token wear, + And promised glory will reward thy care.' + The hour is come, but fraught with bitterest woe, + We meet in blood to wail the fatal blow." + + The loosened mail unfolds the bracelet bright, + Unhappy gift! to Rustem's wildered sight, + Prostrate he falls--"By my unnatural hand, + My son, my son is slain--and from the land + Uprooted."--Frantic, in the dust his hair + He rends in agony and deep despair; + The western sun had disappeared in gloom, + And still, the Champion wept his cruel doom; + His wondering legions marked the long delay, + And, seeing Rakush riderless astray, + The rumour quick to Persia's Monarch spread, + And there described the mighty Rustem dead. + Ks, alarmed, the fatal tidings hears; + His bosom quivers with increasing fears. + "Speed, speed, and see what has befallen to-day + To cause these groans and tears--what fatal fray! + If he be lost, if breathless on the ground, + And this young warrior, with the conquest crowned-- + Then must I, humbled, from my kingdom torn, + Wander like Jemshd, through the world forlorn."[46] + + The army roused, rushed o'er the dusty plain, + Urged by the Monarch to revenge the slain; + Wild consternation saddened every face, + Ts winged with horror sought the fatal place, + And there beheld the agonizing sight-- + The murderous end of that unnatural fight. + Sohrb, still breathing, hears the shrill alarms, + His gentle speech suspends the clang of arms: + "My light of life now fluttering sinks in shade, + Let vengeance sleep, and peaceful vows be made. + Beseech the King to spare this Tartar host, + For they are guiltless, all to them is lost; + I led them on, their souls with glory fired, + While mad ambition all my thoughts inspired. + In search of thee, the world before my eyes, + War was my choice, and thou the sacred prize; + With thee, my sire! in virtuous league combined, + No tyrant King should persecute mankind. + That hope is past--the storm has ceased to rave-- + My ripening honours wither in the grave; + Then let no vengeance on my comrades fall, + Mine was the guilt, and mine the sorrow, all; + How often have I sought thee--oft my mind + Figured thee to my sight--o'erjoyed to find + My mother's token; disappointment came, + When thou denied thy lineage and thy name; + Oh! still o'er thee my soul impassioned hung, + Still to my father fond affection clung! + But fate, remorseless, all my hopes withstood, + And stained thy reeking hands in kindred blood." + + His faltering breath protracted speech denied: + Still from his eye-lids flowed a gushing tide; + Through Rustem's soul redoubled horror ran, + Heart-rending thoughts subdued the mighty man, + And now, at last, with joy-illumined eye, + The Zbul bands their glorious Chief descry; + But when they saw his pale and haggard look, + Knew from what mournful cause he gazed and shook, + With downcast mien they moaned and wept aloud; + While Rustem thus addressed the weeping crowd + "Here ends the war! let gentle peace succeed, + Enough of death, I--I have done the deed!" + Then to his brother, groaning deep, he said-- + "O what a curse upon a parent's head! + But go--and to the Tartar say--no more, + Let war between us steep the earth with gore." + Zra flew and wildly spoke his grief, + To crafty Hmn, the Trnian Chief, + Who, with dissembled sorrow, heard him tell + The dismal tidings which he knew too well; + "And who," he said, "has caused these tears to flow? + Who, but Hujr? He might have stayed the blow, + But when Sohrb his Father's banners sought; + He still denied that here the Champion fought; + He spread the ruin, he the secret knew, + Hence should his crime receive the vengeance due!" + Zra, frantic, breathed in Rustem's ear, + The treachery of the captive Chief, Hujr; + Whose headless trunk had weltered on the strand, + But prayers and force withheld the lifted hand. + Then to his dying son the Champion turned, + Remorse more deep within his bosom burned; + A burst of frenzy fired his throbbing brain; + He clenched his sword, but found his fury vain; + The Persian Chiefs the desperate act represt, + And tried to calm the tumult in his breast: + Thus Gdarz spoke--"Alas! wert thou to give + Thyself a thousand wounds, and cease to live; + What would it be to him thou sorrowest o'er? + It would not save one pang--then weep no more; + For if removed by death, O say, to whom + Has ever been vouchsafed a different doom? + All are the prey of death--the crowned, the low, + And man, through life, the victim still of woe." + Then Rustem: "Fly! and to the King relate, + The pressing horrors which involve my fate; + And if the memory of my deeds e'er swayed + His mind, O supplicate his generous aid; + A sovereign balm he has whose wondrous power, + All wounds can heal, and fleeting life restore;[47] + Swift from his tent the potent medicine bring." + --But mark the malice of the brainless King! + Hard as the flinty rock, he stern denies + The healthful draught, and gloomy thus replies: + "Can I forgive his foul and slanderous tongue? + The sharp disdain on me contemptuous flung? + Scorned 'midst my army by a shameless boy, + Who sought my throne, my sceptre to destroy! + Nothing but mischief from his heart can flow, + Is it, then, wise to cherish such a foe? + The fool who warms his enemy to life, + Only prepares for scenes of future strife." + + Gdarz, returning, told the hopeless tale-- + And thinking Rustem's presence might prevail; + The Champion rose, but ere he reached the throne, + Sohrb had breathed the last expiring groan. + + Now keener anguish rack'd the father's mind, + Reft of his son, a murderer of his kind; + His guilty sword distained with filial gore, + He beat his burning breast, his hair he tore; + The breathless corse before his shuddering view, + A shower of ashes o'er his head he threw; + "In my old age," he cried, "what have I done? + Why have I slain my son, my innocent son! + Why o'er his splendid dawning did I roll + The clouds of death--and plunge my burthened soul + In agony? My son! from heroes sprung; + Better these hands were from my body wrung; + And solitude and darkness, deep and drear, + Fold me from sight than hated linger here. + But when his mother hears, with horror wild, + That I have shed the life-blood of her child, + So nobly brave, so dearly loved, in vain, + How can her heart that rending shock sustain?" + + Now on a bier the Persian warriors place + The breathless Youth, and shade his pallid face; + And turning from that fatal field away, + Move towards the Champion's home in long array. + Then Rustem, sick of martial pomp and show, + Himself the spring of all this scene of woe, + Doomed to the flames the pageantry he loved, + Shield, spear, and mace, so oft in battle proved; + Now lost to all, encompassed by despair; + His bright pavilion crackling blazed in air; + The sparkling throne the ascending column fed; + In smoking fragments fell the golden bed; + The raging fire red glimmering died away, + And all the Warrior's pride in dust and ashes lay. + + Ks, the King, now joins the mournful Chief, + And tries to soothe his deep and settled grief; + For soon or late we yield our vital breath, + And all our worldly troubles end in death! + "When first I saw him, graceful in his might, + He looked far other than a Tartar knight; + Wondering I gazed--now Destiny has thrown + Him on thy sword--he fought, and he is gone; + And should even Heaven against the earth be hurled, + Or fire inwrap in crackling flames the world, + That which is past--we never can restore, + His soul has travelled to some happier shore. + Alas! no good from sorrow canst thou reap, + Then wherefore thus in gloom and misery weep?" + + But Rustem's mighty woes disdained his aid, + His heart was drowned in grief, and thus he said: + "Yes, he is gone! to me for ever lost! + O then protect his brave unguided host; + From war removed and this detested place, + Let them, unharmed, their mountain-wilds retrace; + Bid them secure my brother's will obey, + The careful guardian of their weary way,[48] + To where the Jihn's distant waters stray." + To this the King: "My soul is sad to see + Thy hopeless grief--but, since approved by thee, + The war shall cease--though the Trnian brand + Has spread dismay and terror through the land." + + The King, appeased, no more with vengeance burned, + The Tartar legions to their homes returned; + The Persian warriors, gathering round the dead, + Grovelled in dust, and tears of sorrow shed; + Then back to loved Irn their steps the monarch led. + + But Rustem, midst his native bands, remained, + And further rites of sacrifice maintained; + A thousand horses bled at his command, + And the torn drums were scattered o'er the sand; + And now through Zbul's deep and bowery groves, + In mournful pomp the sad procession moves. + The mighty Chief on foot precedes the bier; + His Warrior-friends, in grief assembled near: + The dismal cadence rose upon the gale, + And Zl astonished heard the piercing wail; + He and his kindred joined the solemn train; + Hung round the bier and wondering viewed the slain. + "There gaze, and weep!" the sorrowing Father said, + "For there, behold my glorious offspring dead!" + The hoary Sire shrunk backward with surprise, + And tears of blood o'erflowed his aged eyes; + And now the Champion's rural palace gate + Receives the funeral group in gloomy state; + Rdbeh loud bemoaned the Stripling's doom; + Sweet flower, all drooping in the hour of bloom, + His tender youth in distant bowers had past, + Sheltered at home he felt no withering blast; + In the soft prison of his mother's arms, + Secure from danger and the world's alarms. + O ruthless Fortune! flushed with generous pride, + He sought his sire, and thus unhappy, died. + + Rustem again the sacred bier unclosed; + Again Sohrb to public view exposed; + Husbands, and wives, and warriors, old and young, + Struck with amaze, around the body hung, + With garments rent and loosely flowing hair; + Their shrieks and clamours filled the echoing air; + Frequent they cried: "Thus Sm the Champion slept! + Thus sleeps Sohrb!" Again they groaned, and wept. + + Now o'er the corpse a yellow robe is spread, + The aloes bier is closed upon the dead; + And, to preserve the hapless hero's name, + Fragrant and fresh, that his unblemished fame + Might live and bloom through all succeeding days, + A mound sepulchral on the spot they raise, + Formed like a charger's hoof. + + In every ear + The story has been told--and many a tear, + Shed at the sad recital. Through Trn, + Afrsiyb's wide realm, and Samengn, + Deep sunk the tidings--nuptial bower, and bed, + And all that promised happiness, had fled! + + But when Tahmneh heard this tale of woe, + Think how a mother bore the mortal blow! + Distracted, wild, she sprang from place to place; + With frenzied hands deformed her beauteous face; + The musky locks her polished temples crowned. + Furious she tore, and flung upon the ground; + Starting, in agony of grief, she gazed-- + Her swimming eyes to Heaven imploring raised; + And groaning cried: "Sole comfort of my life! + Doomed the sad victim of unnatural strife, + Where art thou now with dust and blood defiled? + Thou darling boy, my lost, my murdered child! + When thou wert gone--how, night and lingering day, + Did thy fond mother watch the time away; + For hope still pictured all I wished to see, + Thy father found, and thou returned to me, + Yes--thou, exulting in thy father's fame! + And yet, nor sire nor son, nor tidings, came: + How could I dream of this? ye met--but how? + That noble aspect--that ingenuous brow, + Moved not a nerve in him--ye met--to part, + Alas! the life-blood issuing from the heart + Short was the day which gave to me delight, + Soon, soon, succeeds a long and dismal night; + On whom shall now devolve my tender care? + Who, loved like thee, my bosom-sorrows share? + Whom shall I take to fill thy vacant place, + To whom extend a mother's soft embrace? + Sad fate! for one so young, so fair, so brave, + Seeking thy father thus to find a grave. + These arms no more shall fold thee to my breast, + No more with thee my soul be doubly blest; + No, drowned in blood thy lifeless body lies, + For ever torn from these desiring eyes; + Friendless, alone, beneath a foreign sky, + Thy mail thy death-clothes--and thy father, by; + Why did not I conduct thee on the way, + And point where Rustem's bright pavilion lay? + Thou hadst the tokens--why didst thou withhold + Those dear remembrances--that pledge of gold? + Hadst thou the bracelet to his view restored, + Thy precious blood had never stained his sword." + + The strong emotion choked her panting breath, + Her veins seemed withered by the cold of death: + The trembling matrons hastening round her mourned, + With piercing cries, till fluttering life returned; + Then gazing up, distraught, she wept again, + And frantic, seeing 'midst her pitying train, + The favourite steed--now more than ever dear, + The hoofs she kissed, and bathed with many a tear; + Clasping the mail Sohrb in battle wore, + With burning lips she kissed it o'er and o'er; + His martial robes she in her arms comprest, + And like an infant strained them to her breast; + The reins, and trappings, club, and spear, were brought, + The sword, and shield, with which the Stripling fought, + These she embraced with melancholy joy, + In sad remembrance of her darling boy. + And still she beat her face, and o'er them hung, + As in a trance--or to them wildly clung-- + Day after day she thus indulged her grief, + Night after night, disdaining all relief; + At length worn out--from earthly anguish riven, + The mother's spirit joined her child in Heaven. + + + +THE STORY OF SAIWUSH + +Early one morning as the cock crew, Ts arose, and accompanied by Gw +and Gdarz and a company of horsemen, proceeded on a hunting excursion, +not far from the banks of the Jihn, where, after ranging about the +forest for some time, they happened to fall in with a damsel of extreme +beauty, with smiling lips, blooming cheeks, and fascinating mien. They +said to her: + + "Never was seen so sweet a flower, + In garden, vale, or fairy bower; + The moon is on thy lovely face, + Thy cypress-form is full of grace; + But why, with charms so soft and meek, + Dost thou the lonely forest seek?" + +She replied that her father was a violent man, and that she had left her +home to escape his anger. She had crossed the river Jihn, and had +travelled several leagues on foot, in consequence of her horse being too +much fatigued to bear her farther. She had at that time been three days +in the forest. On being questioned respecting her parentage, she said +her father's name was Shwer, of the race of Feridn. Many sovereigns +had been suitors for her hand, but she did not approve of one of them. +At last he wanted to marry her to Poshang, the ruler of Trn, but she +refused him on account of his ugliness and bad temper! This she said was +the cause of her father's violence, and of her flight from home. + + "But when his angry mood is o'er, + He'll love his daughter as before; + And send his horsemen far and near, + To take me to my mother dear; + Therefore, I would not further stray, + But here, without a murmur, stay." + +The hearts of both Ts and Gw were equally inflamed with love for the +damsel, and each was equally determined to support his own pretensions, +in consequence of which a quarrel arose between them. At length it was +agreed to refer the matter to the king, and to abide by his decision. +When, however, the king beheld the lovely object of contention, he was +not disposed to give her to either claimant, but without hesitation took +her to himself, after having first ascertained that she was of +distinguished family and connection. In due time a son was born to him, +who was, according to the calculations of the astrologers, of wonderful +promise, and named Saiwush. The prophecies about his surprising +virtues, and his future renown, made Ks anxious that justice should be +done to his opening talents, and he was highly gratified when Rustem +agreed to take him to Zbulistn, and there instruct him in all the +accomplishments which were suitable to his illustrious rank. He was +accordingly taught horsemanship and archery, how to conduct himself at +banquets, how to hunt with the falcon and the leopard, and made familiar +with the manners and duty of kings, and the hardy chivalry of the age. +His progress in the attainment of every species of knowledge and science +was surprising, and in hunting he never stooped to the pursuit of +animals inferior to the lion or the tiger. It was not long before the +youth felt anxious to pay a visit to his father, and Rustem willingly +complying with his wishes, accompanied his accomplished pupil to the +royal court, where they were both received with becoming distinction, +Saiwush having fulfilled Ks's expectations in the highest degree, and +the king's gratitude to the champion being in proportion to the eminent +merit of his services on the interesting occasion. After this, however, +preceptors were continued to enlighten his mind seven years longer, and +then he was emancipated from further application and study. + +One day Sdveh, the daughter of the Shh of Hmvern, happening to see +Saiwush sitting with his father, the beauty of his person made an +instantaneous impression on her heart, + + The fire of love consumed her breast, + The thoughts of him denied her rest. + For him alone she pined in grief, + From him alone she sought relief, + And called him to her secret bower, + To while away the passing hour: + But Saiwush refused the call, + He would not shame his father's hall. + +The enamoured Sdveh, however, was not to be disappointed without +further effort, and on a subsequent day she boldly went to the king, and +praising the character and attainments of his son, proposed that he +should be united in marriage to one of the damsels of royal lineage +under her care. For the pretended purpose therefore of making his +choice, she requested he might be sent to the harem, to see all the +ladies and fix on one the most suited to his taste. The king approved of +the proposal, and intimated it to Saiwush; but Saiwush was modest, +timid, and bashful, and mentally suspected in this overture some +artifice of Sdveh. He accordingly hesitated, but the king overcame his +scruples, and the youth at length repaired to the shubistn, as the +retired apartments of the women are called, with fear and trembling. +When he entered within the precincts of the sacred place, he was +surprised by the richness and magnificence of everything that struck his +sight. He was delighted with the company of beautiful women, and he +observed Sdveh sitting on a splendid throne in an interior chamber, +like Heaven in beauty and loveliness, with a coronet on her head, and +her hair floating round her in musky ringlets. Seeing him she descended +gracefully, and clasping him in her arms, kissed his eyes and face with +such ardor and enthusiasm that he thought proper to retire from her +endearments and mix among the other damsels, who placed him on a golden +chair and kept him in agreeable conversation for some time. After this +pleasing interview he returned to the king, and gave him a very +favorable account of his reception, and the heavenly splendor of the +retirement, worthy of Jemshd, Feridn, or Hsheng, which gladdened his +father's heart. Ks repeated to him his wish that he would at once +choose one of the lights of the harem for his wife, as the astrologers +had prophesied on his marriage the birth of a prince. But Saiwush +endeavored to excuse himself from going again to Sdveh's apartments. +The king smiled at his weakness, and assured him that Sdveh was alone +anxious for his happiness, upon which the youth found himself again in +her power. She was surrounded by the damsels as before, but, whilst his +eyes were cast down, they shortly disappeared, leaving him and the +enamoured Sdveh together. She soon approached him, and lovingly +said:-- + + "O why the secret keep from one, + Whose heart is fixed on thee alone! + Say who thou art, from whom descended, + Some Peri with a mortal blended. + For every maid who sees that face, + That cypress-form replete with grace, + Becomes a victim to the wiles + Which nestle in those dimpled smiles; + Becomes thy own adoring slave, + Whom nothing but thy love can save." + +To this Saiwush made no reply. The history of the adventure of Ks at +Hmvern, and what the king and his warriors endured in consequence of +the treachery of the father of Sdveh, flashed upon his mind. He +therefore was full of apprehension, and breathed not a word in answer to +her fondness. Sdveh observing his silence and reluctance, threw away +from herself the veil of modesty, + + And said: "O be my own, for I am thine, + And clasp me in thy arms!" And then she sprang + To the astonished boy, and eagerly + Kissed his deep crimsoned cheek, which filled his soul + With strange confusion. "When the king is dead, + O take me to thyself; see how I stand, + Body and soul devoted unto thee." + In his heart he said: "This never can be: + This is a demon's work--shall I be treacherous? + What! to my own dear father? Never, never; + I will not thus be tempted by the devil; + Yet must I not be cold to this wild woman, + For fear of further folly." + +Saiwush then expressed his readiness to be united in marriage to her +daughter, and to no other; and when this intelligence was conveyed to +Ks by Sdveh herself, His Majesty was extremely pleased, and +munificently opened his treasury on the happy occasion. But Sdveh +still kept in view her own design, and still laboring for its success, +sedulously read her own incantations to prevent disappointment, at any +rate to punish the uncomplying youth if she failed. On another day she +sent for him, and exclaimed:-- + + "I cannot now dissemble; since I saw thee + I seem to be as dead--my heart all withered. + Seven years have passed in unrequited love-- + Seven long, long years. O! be not still obdurate, + But with the generous impulse of affection, + Oh, bless my anxious spirit, or, refusing, + Thy life will be in peril; thou shalt die!" + "Never," replied the youth; "O, never, never; + Oh, ask me not, for this can never be." + +Saiwush then rose to depart precipitately, but Sdveh observing him, +endeavored to cling round him and arrest his flight. The endeavor, +however, was fruitless; and finding at length her situation desperate, +she determined to turn the adventure into her own favor, by accusing +Saiwush of an atrocious outrage on her own person and virtue. She +accordingly tore her dress, screamed aloud, and rushed out of her +apartment to inform Ks of the indignity she had suffered. Among her +women the most clamorous lamentations arose, and echoed on every side. +The king, on hearing that Saiwush had preferred Sdveh to her +daughter, and that he had meditated so abominable an offence, thought +that death alone could expiate his crime. He therefore summoned him to +his presence; but satisfied that it would be difficult, if not +impossible, to ascertain the truth of the case from either party +concerned, he had recourse to a test which he thought would be +infallible and conclusive. He first smelt the hands of Saiwush, and +then his garments, which had the scent of rose-water; and then he took +the garments of Sdveh, which, on the contrary, had a strong flavor of +wine and musk. Upon this discovery, the king resolved on the death of +Sdveh, being convinced of the falsehood of the accusation she had made +against his son. But when his indignation subsided, he was induced on +various accounts to forego that resolution. Yet he said to her, "I am +sure that Saiwush is innocent, but let that remain concealed."--Sdveh, +however, persisted in asserting his guilt, and continually urged him to +punish the reputed offender, but without being attended to. + +At length he resolved to ascertain the innocence of Saiwush by the +ordeal of fire; and the fearless youth prepared to undergo the terrible +trial to which he was sentenced, telling his father to be under no +alarm. + + "The truth (and its reward I claim), + Will bear me safe through fiercest flame." + +A tremendous fire was accordingly lighted on the adjacent plain, which +blazed to an immense distance. The youth was attired in his golden +helmet and a white robe, and mounted on a black horse. He put up a +prayer to the Almighty for protection, and then rushed amidst the +conflagration, as collectedly as if the act had been entirely free from +peril. When Sdveh heard the confused exclamations that were uttered at +that moment, she hurried upon the terrace of the palace and witnessed +the appalling sight, and in the fondness of her heart, wished even that +she could share his fate, the fate of him of whom she was so deeply +enamoured. The king himself fell from his throne in horror on seeing him +surrounded and enveloped in the flames, from which there seemed no +chance of extrication; but the gallant youth soon rose up, like the moon +from the bursting element, and went through the ordeal unharmed and +untouched by the fire. Ks, on coming to his senses, rejoiced +exceedingly on the happy occasion, and his severest anger was directed +against Sdveh, whom he now determined to put to death, not only for +her own guilt, but for exposing his son to such imminent danger. The +noble youth, however, interceded for her. Sdveh, notwithstanding, +still continued to practise her charms and incantations in secret, to +the end that Saiwush might be put out of the way; and in this pursuit +she was indeed indefatigable. + +Suddenly intelligence was received that Afrsiyb had assembled another +army, for the purpose of making an irruption into Irn; and Ks, seeing +that a Tartar could neither be bound by promise nor oath, resolved that +he would on this occasion take the field himself, penetrate as far as +Balkh, and seizing the country, make an example of the inhabitants. But +Saiwush perceiving in this prospect of affairs an opportunity of +becoming free from the machinations and witchery of Sdveh, earnestly +requested to be employed, adding that, with the advice and bravery of +Rustem, he would be sure of success. The king referred the matter to +Rustem, who candidly declared that there was no necessity whatever for +His Majesty proceeding personally to the war; and upon this assurance he +threw open his treasury, and supplied all the resources of the empire to +equip the troops appointed to accompany them. After one month the army +marched toward Balkh, the point of attack. + +On the other side Gerswaz, the ruler of Balghar, joined the Tartar +legions at Balkh, commanded by Brmn, who both sallied forth to oppose +the Persian host, and after a conflict of three days were defeated, and +obliged to abandon the fort. When the accounts of this calamity reached +Afrsiyb, he was seized with the utmost terror, which was increased by +a dreadful dream. He thought he was in a forest abounding with serpents, +and that the air was darkened by the appearance of countless eagles. The +ground was parched up with heat, and a whirlwind hurled down his tent +and overthrew his banners. On every side flowed a river of blood, and +the whole of his army had been defeated and butchered in his sight. He +was afterwards taken prisoner, and ignominiously conducted to Ks, in +whose company he beheld a gallant youth, not more than fourteen years of +age, who, the moment he saw him, plunged a dagger in his loins, and with +the scream of agony produced by the wound, he awoke. Gerswaz had in the +meantime returned with the remnant of his force; and being informed of +these particulars, endeavored to console Afrsiyb, by assuring him that +the true interpretation of dreams was the reverse of appearances. But +Afrsiyb was not to be consoled in this manner. He referred to his +astrologers, who, however, hesitated, and were unwilling to afford an +explanation of the mysterious vision. At length one of them, upon the +solicited promise that the king would not punish him for divulging the +truth, described the nature of the warning implied in what had been +witnessed. + + "And now I throw aside the veil, + Which hides the darkly shadowed tale. + Led by a prince of prosperous star, + The Persian legions speed to war, + And in his horoscope we scan + The lordly victor of Trn. + If thou shouldst to the conflict rush, + Opposed to conquering Saiwush, + Thy Turkish cohorts will be slain, + And all thy saving efforts vain. + For if he, in the threatened strife, + Should haply chance to lose his life; + Thy country's fate will be the same, + Stripped of its throne and diadem." + +Afrsiyb was satisfied with this interpretation, and felt the prudence +of avoiding a war so pregnant with evil consequences to himself and his +kingdom. He therefore deputed Gerswaz to the headquarters of Saiwush, +with splendid presents, consisting of horses richly caparisoned, armor, +swords, and other costly articles, and a written dispatch, proposing a +termination to hostilities. + +In the meantime Saiwush was anxious to pursue the enemy across the +Jihn, but was dissuaded by his friends. When Gerswaz arrived on his +embassy he was received with distinction, and the object of his mission +being understood, a secret council was held upon what answer should be +given. It was then deemed proper to demand: first, one hundred +distinguished heroes as hostages; and secondly, the restoration of all +the provinces which the Trnians had taken from Irn. Gerswaz sent +immediately to Afrsiyb to inform him of the conditions required, and +without the least delay they were approved. A hundred warriors were soon +on their way; and Bokhra, and Samerknd, and Haj, and the Punjb, were +faithfully delivered over to Saiwush. Afrsiyb himself retired towards +Gungduz, saying, "I have had a terrible dream, and I will surrender +whatever may be required from me, rather than go to war." + +The negotiations being concluded, Saiwush sent a letter to his father +by the hands of Rustem. Rumor, however, had already told Ks of +Afrsiyb's dream, and the terror he had been thrown into in +consequence. The astrologers in his service having prognosticated from +it the certain ruin of the Trnian king, the object of Rustem's mission +was directly contrary to the wishes of Ks; but Rustem contended that +the policy was good, and the terms were good, and he thereby incurred +His Majesty's displeasure. On this account Ks appointed Ts the leader +of the Persian army, and commanded him to march against Afrsiyb, +ordering Saiwush at the same time to return, and bring with him his +hundred hostages. At this command Saiwush was grievously offended, and +consulted with his chieftains, Bhrm, and Zinga, and Shwern, on the +fittest course to be pursued, saying, "I have pledged my word to the +fulfilment of the terms, and what will the world say if I do not keep my +faith?" The chiefs tried to quiet his mind, and recommended him to write +again to Ks, expressing his readiness to renew the war, and return the +hundred hostages. But Saiwush was in a different humor, and thought as +Ts had been actually appointed to the command of the Persian army, it +would be most advisable for him to abandon his country and join +Afrsiyb. The chiefs, upon hearing this singular resolution, +unanimously attempted to dissuade him from pursuing so wild a course as +throwing himself into the power of his enemy; but he was deaf to their +entreaties, and in the stubbornness of his spirit, wrote to Afrsiyb, +informing him that Ks had refused to ratify the treaty of peace, that +he was compelled to return the hostages, and even himself to seek +protection in Trn from the resentment of his father, the warrior Ts +having been already entrusted with the charge of the army. This +unexpected intelligence excited considerable surprise in the mind of +Afrsiyb, but he had no hesitation in selecting the course to be +followed. The ambassadors, Zinga and Shwern, were soon furnished with +a reply, which was to this effect:--"I settled the terms of peace with +thee, not with thy father. With him I have nothing to do. If thy choice +be retirement and tranquillity, thou shalt have a peaceful and +independent province allotted to thee; but if war be thy object, I will +furnish thee with a large army: thy father is old and infirm, and with +the aid of Rustem, Persia will be an easy conquest." Having thus +obtained the promised favor and support of Afrsiyb, Saiwush gave in +charge to Bhrm the city of Balkh, the army and treasure, in order that +they might be delivered over to Ts on his arrival; and taking with him +three hundred chosen horsemen, passed the Jihn, in progress to the +court of Afrsiyb. On taking this decisive step, he again wrote to +Ks, saying:-- + + "From my youth upward I have suffered wrong. + At first Sdveh, false and treacherous, + Sought to destroy my happiness and fame; + And thou hadst nearly sacrificed my life + To glut her vengeance. The astrologers + Were all unheeded, who pronounced me innocent, + And I was doomed to brave devouring fire, + To testify that I was free from guilt; + But God was my deliverer! Victory now + Has marked my progress. Balkh, and all its spoils, + Are mine, and so reduced the enemy, + That I have gained a hundred hostages, + To guarantee the peace which I have made; + And what my recompense! a father's anger, + Which takes me from my glory. Thus deprived + Of thy affection, whither can I fly? + Be it to friend or foe, the will of fate + Must be my only guide--condemned by thee." + +The reception of Saiwush by Afrsiyb was warm and flattering. From the +gates of the city to the palace, gold and incense were scattered over +his head in the customary manner, and exclamations of welcome uttered on +every side. + + "Thy presence gives joy to the land, + Which awaits thy command; + It is thine! it is thine! + All the chiefs of the state have assembled to meet thee, + All the flowers of the land are in blossom to greet thee!" + +The youth was placed on a golden throne next to Afrsiyb, and a +magnificent banquet prepared in honor of the stranger, and music and the +songs of beautiful women enlivened the festive scene. They chanted the +praises of Saiwush, distinguished, as they said, among men for three +things: first, for being of the line of Kai-kobd; secondly, for his +faith and honor; and, thirdly, for the wonderful beauty of his person, +which had gained universal love and admiration. The favorable sentiments +which characterized the first introduction of Saiwush to Afrsiyb +continued to prevail, and indeed the king of Trn seemed to regard him +with increased attachment and friendship, as the time passed away, and +showed him all the respect and honor to which his royal birth would have +entitled him in his own country. After the lapse of a year, Prn-wsah, +one of Afrsiyb's generals, said to him: "Young prince, thou art now +high in the favor of the king, and at a great distance from Persia, and +thy father is old; would it not therefore be better for thee to marry +and take up thy residence among us for life?" The suggestion was a +rational one, and Saiwush readily expressed his acquiescence; +accordingly, the lovely Glshaher, who was also named Jarra, having +been introduced to him, he was delighted with her person, and both +consenting to a union, the marriage ceremony was immediately performed. + + And many a warm delicious kiss, + Told how he loved the wedded bliss. + +Some time after this union, Prn suggested another alliance, for the +purpose of strengthening his political interest and power, and this was +with Ferangs, the daughter of Afrsiyb. But Saiwush was so devoted to +Glshaher that he first consulted with her on the subject, although the +hospitality and affection of the king constituted such strong claims on +his gratitude that refusal was impossible. Glshaher, however, was a +heroine, and willingly sacrificed her own feelings for the good of +Saiwush, saying she would rather condescend to be the very handmaid of +Ferangs than that the happiness and prosperity of her lord should be +compromised. The second marriage accordingly took place, and Afrsiyb +was so pleased with the match that he bestowed on the bride and her +husband the sovereignty of Khoten, together with countless treasure in +gold, and a great number of horses, camels, and elephants. In a short +time they proceeded to the seat of the new government. + +Meanwhile Ks suffered the keenest distress and sorrow when he heard of +the flight of Saiwush into Trn, and Rustem felt such strong +indignation at the conduct of the king that he abruptly quitted the +court, without permission, and retired to Sstn. Ks thus found +himself in an embarrassed condition, and deemed it prudent to recall +both Ts and the army from Balkh, and relinquish further hostile +measures against Afrsiyb. + +The first thing that Saiwush undertook after his arrival at Khoten, was +to order the selection of a beautiful site for his residence, and Prn +devoted his services to fulfil that object, exploring all the provinces, +hills, and dales, on every side. At last he discovered a beautiful spot, +at the distance of about a month's journey, which combined all the +qualities and advantages required by the anxious prince. It was situated +on a mountain, and surrounded by scenery of exquisite richness and +variety. The trees were fresh and green, birds warbled on every spray, +transparent rivulets murmured through the meadows, the air was neither +oppressively hot in summer, nor cold in winter, so that the temperature, +and the attractive objects which presented themselves at every glance, +seemed to realize the imagined charms and fascinations of Paradise. The +inhabitants enjoyed perpetual health, and every breeze was laden with +music and perfume. So lovely a place could not fail to yield pleasure to +Saiwush, who immediately set about building a palace there, and +garden-temples, in which he had pictures painted of the most remarkable +persons of his time, and also the portraits of ancient kings. The walls +were decorated with the likenesses of Kai-kobd, of Kai-ks, Poshang, +Afrsiyb, and Sm, and Zl, and Rustem, and other champions of Persia +and Trn. When completed, it was a gorgeous retreat, and the sight of +it sufficient to give youthful vigor to the withered faculties of age. +And yet Saiwush was not happy! Tears started into his eyes and sorrow +weighed upon his heart, whenever he thought upon his own estrangement +from home! + +It happened that the lovely Glshaher, who had been left in the house of +her father, was delivered of a son in due time, and he was named Ferd. + +Afrsiyb, on being informed of the proceedings of Saiwush, and of the +heart-expanding residence he had chosen, was highly gratified; and to +show his affectionate regard, despatched to him with the intelligence of +the birth of a son, presents of great value and variety. Gerswaz, the +brother of Afrsiyb, and who had from the first looked upon Saiwush +with a jealous and malignant eye, being afraid of his interfering with +his own prospects in Trn, was the person sent on this occasion. But he +hid his secret thoughts under the veil of outward praise and +approbation. Saiwush was pleased with the intelligence and the +presents, but failed to pay the customary respect to Gerswaz on his +arrival, and, in consequence, the lurking indignation and hatred +formerly felt by the latter were considerably augmented. The attention +of Saiwush respecting his army and the concerns of the state, was +unremitting, and noted by the visitor with a jealous and scrutinizing +eye, so that Gerswaz, on his return to the court of Afrsiyb, artfully +talked much of the pomp and splendor of the prince, and added: "Saiwush +is far from being the amiable character thou hast supposed; he is artful +and ambitious, and he has collected an immense army; he is in fact +dissatisfied. As a proof of his haughtiness, he paid me but little +attention, and doubtless very heavy calamity will soon befall Trn, +should he break out, as I apprehend he will, into open rebellion:-- + + "For he is proud, and thou has yet to learn + The temper of thy daughter Ferangs, + Now bound to him in duty and affection; + Their purpose is the same, to overthrow + The kingdom of Trn, and thy dominion; + To merge the glory of this happy realm + Into the Persian empire!" + +But plausible and persuasive as were the observations and positive +declarations of Gerswaz, Afrsiyb would not believe the imputed +ingratitude and hostility of Saiwush. "He has sought my protection," +said he; "he has thrown himself upon my generosity, and I cannot think +him treacherous. But if he has meditated anything unmerited by me, and +unworthy of himself, it will be better to send him back to Kai-ks, his +father." The artful Gerswaz, however, was not to be diverted from his +object: he said that Saiwush had become personally acquainted with +Trn, its position, its weakness, its strength, and resources, and +aided by Rustem, would soon be able to overrun the country if he was +suffered to return, and therefore he recommended Afrsiyb to bring him +from Khoten by some artifice, and secure him. In conformity with this +suggestion, Gerswaz was again deputed to the young prince, and a letter +of a friendly nature written for the purpose of blinding him to the real +intentions of his father-in-law. The letter was no sooner read than +Saiwush expressed his desire to comply with the request contained in +it, saying that Afrsiyb had been a father to him, and that he would +lose no time in fulfilling in all respects the wishes he had received. + +This compliance and promptitude, however, was not in harmony with the +sinister views of Gerswaz, for he foresaw that the very fact of +answering the call immediately would show that some misrepresentation +had been practised, and consequently it was his business now to promote +procrastination, and an appearance of evasive delay. He therefore said +to him privately that it would be advisable for him to wait a little, +and not manifest such implicit obedience to the will of Afrsiyb; but +Saiwush replied, that both his duty and affection urged him to a ready +compliance. Then Gerswaz pressed him more warmly, and represented how +inconsistent, how unworthy of his illustrious lineage it would be to +betray so meek a spirit, especially as he had a considerable army at his +command, and could vindicate his dignity and his rights. And he +addressed to him these specious arguments so incessantly and with such +earnestness, that the deluded prince was at last induced to put off his +departure, on account of his wife Ferangs pretending that she was ill, +and saying that the moment she was better he would return to Trn. This +was quite enough for treachery to work upon; and as soon as the dispatch +was sealed, Gerswaz conveyed it with the utmost expedition to +Afrsiyb. Appearances, at least, were thus made strong against +Saiwush, and the tyrant of Trn, now easily convinced of his +falsehood, and feeling in consequence his former enmity renewed, +forthwith assembled an army to punish his refractory son-in-law. +Gerswaz was appointed the leader of that army, which was put in motion +without delay against the unoffending youth. The news of Afrsiyb's +warlike preparations satisfied the mind of Saiwush that Gerswaz had +given him good advice, and that he had been a faithful monitor, for +immediate compliance, he now concluded, would have been his utter ruin. +When he communicated this unwelcome intelligence to Ferangs, she was +thrown into the greatest alarm and agitation; but ever fruitful in +expedients, suggested the course that it seemed necessary he should +instantly adopt, which was to fly by a circuitous route back to Irn. To +this he expressed no dissent, provided she would accompany him; but she +said it was impossible to do so on account of the condition she was in. +"Leave me," she added, "and save thy own life!" He therefore called +together his three hundred Irnians, and requesting Ferangs, if she +happened to be delivered of a son, to call him Kai-khosru, set off on +his journey. + + "I go, surrounded by my enemies; + The hand of merciless Afrsiyb + Lifted against me." + +It was not the fortune of Saiwush, however, to escape so easily as had +been anticipated by Ferangs. Gerswaz was soon at his heels, and in the +battle that ensued, all the Irnians were killed, and also the horse +upon which the unfortunate prince rode, so that on foot he could make +but little progress. In the meantime Afrsiyb came up, and surrounding +him, wanted to shoot him with an arrow, but he was restrained from the +violent act by the intercession of his people, who recommended his being +taken alive, and only kept in prison. Accordingly he was again attacked +and secured, and still Afrsiyb wished to put him to death; but Plsam, +one of his warriors, and the brother of Prn, induced him to relinquish +that diabolical intention, and to convey him back to his own palace. +Saiwush was then ignominiously fettered and conducted to the royal +residence, which he had himself erected and ornamented with such +richness and magnificence. The sight of the city and its splendid +buildings filled every one with wonder and admiration. Upon the arrival +of Afrsiyb, Ferangs hastened to him in a state of the deepest +distress, and implored his clemency and compassion in favor of Saiwush. + + "O father, he is not to blame, + Still pure and spotless is his name; + Faithful and generous still to me, + And never--never false to thee. + This hate to Gerswaz he owes, + The worst, the bitterest of his foes; + Did he not thy protection seek, + And wilt thou overpower the weak? + Spill royal blood thou shouldest bless, + In cruel sport and wantonness? + And earn the curses of mankind, + Living, in this precarious state, + And dead, the torments of the mind, + Which hell inflicts upon the great + Who revel in a murderous course, + And rule by cruelty and force. + + "It scarce becomes me now to tell, + What the accursed Zohk befel, + Or what the punishment which hurled + Slim and Tr from out the world. + And is not Ks living now, + With rightful vengeance on his brow? + And Rustem, who alone can make + Thy kingdom to its centre quake? + Gdarz, Zra, and Frburz, + And Ts, and Girgn, and Frmurz; + And others too of fearless might, + To challenge thee to mortal fight? + O, from this peril turn away, + Close not in gloom so bright a day; + Some heed to thy poor daughter give, + And let thy guiltless captive live." + +The effect of this appeal, solemnly and urgently delivered, was only +transitory. Afrasiyb felt a little compunction at the moment, but soon +resumed his ferocious spirit, and to ensure, without interruption, the +accomplishment of his purpose, confined Ferangs in one of the remotest +parts of the palace:-- + + And thus to Gerswaz unfeeling spoke: + "Off with his head, down with the enemy; + But take especial notice that his blood + Stains not the earth, lest it should cry aloud + For vengeance on us. Take good care of that!" + +Gerswaz, who was but too ready an instrument, immediately directed +Kar-zra, a kinsman of Afrsiyb, who had been also one of the most +zealous in promoting the ruin of the Persian prince, to inflict the +deadly blow; and Saiwush, whilst under the grasp of the executioner, +had but time to put up a prayer to Heaven, in which he hoped that a son +might be born to him to vindicate his good name, and be revenged on his +murderer. The executioner then seized him by the hair, and throwing him +on the ground, severed the head from the body. A golden vessel was ready +to receive the blood, as commanded by Afrsiyb; but a few drops +happened to be spilt on the soil, and upon that spot a tree grew up, +which was afterwards called Saiwush, and believed to possess many +wonderful virtues! The blood was carefully conveyed to Afrsiyb, the +head fixed on the point of a javelin, and the body was buried with +respect and affection by his friend Plsam, who had witnessed the +melancholy catastrophe. It is also related that a tremendous tempest +occurred at the time this amiable prince was murdered, and that a total +darkness covered the face of the earth, so that the people could not +distinguish each other's faces. Then was the name of Afrsiyb truly +execrated and abhorred for the cruel act he had committed, and all the +inhabitants of Khoten long cherished the memory of Saiwush. + +Ferangs was frantic with grief when she was told of the sad fate of her +husband, and all her household uttered the loudest lamentations. Plsam +gave the intelligence to Prn and the proverb was then remembered: "It +is better to be in hell, than under the rule of Afrsiyb!" When the +deep sorrow of Ferangs reached the ears of her father, he determined on +a summary procedure, and ordered Gerswaz to have her privately made +away with, so that there might be no issue of her marriage with +Saiwush. + + Prn with horror heard this stern command, + And hasten'd to the king, and thus addressed him: + "What! wouldst thou hurl thy vengeance on a woman, + That woman, too, thy daughter? Is it wise, + Or natural, thus to sport with human life? + Already hast thou taken from her arms + Her unoffending husband--that was cruel; + But thus to shed an innocent woman's blood, + And kill her unborn infant--that would be + Too dreadful to imagine! Is she not + Thy own fair daughter, given in happier time + To him who won thy favour and affection? + Think but of that, and from thy heart root out + This demon wish, which leads thee to a crime, + Mocking concealment; vain were the endeavour + To keep the murder secret, and when known, + The world's opprobrium would pursue thy name. + And after death, what would thy portion be! + No more of this--honour me with the charge, + And I will keep her with a father's care, + In my own mansion." Then Afrsiyb + Readily answered: "Take her to thy home, + But when the child is born, let it be brought + Promptly to me--my will must be obeyed." + +Prn rejoiced at his success; and assenting to the command of +Afrsiyb, took Ferangs with him to Khoten, where in due time a child +was born, and being a son, was called Kai-khosru. As soon as he was +born, Prn took measures to prevent his being carried off to Afrsiyb, +and committed him to the care of some peasants on the mountain Kaln. On +the same night Afrsiyb had a dream, in which he received intimation of +the birth of Kai-khosru; and upon this intimation he sent for Prn to +know why his commands had not been complied with. Prn replied, that he +had cast away the child in the wilderness. "And why was he not sent to +me?" inquired the despot. "Because," said Prn, "I considered thy own +future happiness; thou hast unjustly killed the father, and God forbid +that thou shouldst also kill the son!" Afrsiyb was abashed, and it is +said that ever after the atrocious murder of Saiwush, he had been +tormented with the most terrible and harrowing dreams. Gerswaz now +became hateful to his sight, and he began at last deeply to repent of +his violence and inhumanity. + +Kai-khosru grew up under the fostering protection of the peasants, and +showed early marks of surprising talent and activity. He excelled in +manly exercises; and hunting ferocious animals was his peculiar delight. +Instructors had been provided to initiate him in all the arts and +pursuits cultivated by the warriors of those days, and even in his +twelfth year accounts were forwarded to Prn of several wonderful feats +which he had performed. + + Then smiled the good old man, and joyful said: + "'Tis ever thus--the youth of royal blood + Will not disgrace his lineage, but betray + By his superior mien and gallant deeds + From whence he sprung. 'Tis by the luscious fruit + We know the tree, and glory in its ripeness!" + +Prn could not resist paying a visit to the youth in his mountainous +retreat, and, happy to find him, beyond all expectation, distinguished +for the elegance of his external appearance, and the superior qualities +of his mind, related to him the circumstances under which he had been +exposed, and the rank and misfortunes of his father. An artifice then +occurred to him which promised to be of ultimate advantage. He +afterwards told Afrsiyb that the offspring of Ferangs, thrown by him +into the wilderness to perish, had been found by a peasant and brought +up, but that he understood the boy was little better than an idiot. +Afrsiyb, upon this information, desired that he might be sent for, and +in the meantime Prn took especial care to instruct Kai-khosru how he +should act; which was to seem in all respects insane, and he accordingly +appeared before the king in the dress of a prince with a golden crown on +his head, and the royal girdle round his loins. Kai-khosru proceeded on +horseback to the court of Afrsiyb, and having performed the usual +salutations, was suitably received, though with strong feelings of shame +and remorse on the part of the tyrant. Afrsiyb put several questions +to him, which were answered in a wild and incoherent manner, entirely at +variance with the subject proposed. The king could not help smiling, and +supposing him to be totally deranged, allowed him to be sent with +presents to his mother, for no harm, he thought, could possibly be +apprehended from one so forlorn in mind. Prn triumphed in the success +of his scheme, and lost no time in taking Kai-khosru to his mother. All +the people of Khoten poured blessings on the head of the youth, and +imprecations on the merciless spirit of Afrsiyb. The city built by +Saiwush had been razed to the ground by the exterminating fury of his +enemies, and wild animals and reptiles occupied the place on which it +stood. The mother and son visited the spot where Saiwush was +barbarously killed, and the tree, which grew up from the soil enriched +by his blood, was found verdant and flourishing, and continued to +possess in perfection its marvellous virtues. + + The tale of Saiwush is told; + And now the pages bright unfold, + Rustem's revenge--Sdveh's fate-- + Afrsiyb's degraded state, + And that terrific curse and ban + Which fell at last upon Trn! + +When Kai-ks heard of the fate of his son, and all its horrible details +were pictured to his mind, he was thrown into the deepest affliction. +His warriors, Ts, and Gdarz, and Bhrm, and Frburz, and Ferhd, felt +with equal keenness the loss of the amiable prince, and Rustem, as soon +as the dreadful intelligence reached Sstn, set off with his troops to +the court of the king, still full of indignation at the conduct of Ks, +and oppressed with sorrow respecting the calamity which had occurred. On +his arrival he thus addressed the weeping and disconsolate father of +Saiwush, himself at the same time drowned in tears:-- + + "How has thy temper turned to nought, the seed + Which might have grown, and cast a glorious shadow; + How is it scattered to the barren winds! + Thy love for false Sdveh was the cause + Of all this misery; she, the Sorceress, + O'er whom thou hast so oft in rapture hung, + Enchanted by her charms; she was the cause + Of this destruction. Thou art woman's slave! + Woman, the bane of man's felicity! + Who ever trusted woman? Death were better + Than being under woman's influence; + She places man upon the foamy ridge + Of the tempestuous wave, which rolls to ruin, + Who ever trusted woman?--Woman! woman!" + Ks looked down with melancholy mien, + And, half consenting, thus to Rustem said:-- + "Sdveh's blandishments absorbed my soul, + And she has brought this wretchedness upon me." + Rustem rejoined--"The world must be revenged + Upon this false Sdveh;--she must die." + Ks was silent; but his tears flowed fast, + And shame withheld resistance. Rustem rushed + Without a pause towards the shubistn; + Impatient, nothing could obstruct his speed + To slay Sdveh;--her he quickly found, + And rapidly his sanguinary sword + Performed its office. Thus the Sorceress died. + Such was the punishment her crimes received. + +Having thus accomplished the first part of his vengeance, he proceeded +with the Persian army against Afrsiyb, and all the Irnian warriors +followed his example. When he had penetrated as far as Trn, the enemy +sent forward thirty thousand men to oppose his progress; and in the +conflict which ensued, Fermurz took Sarkh, the son of Afrsiyb, +prisoner. Rustem delivered him over to Ts to be put to death precisely +in the same manner as Saiwush; but the captive represented himself as +the particular friend of Saiwush, and begged to be pardoned on that +account. Rustem, however, had sworn that he would take his revenge, +without pity or remorse, and accordingly death was inflicted upon the +unhappy prisoner, whose blood was received in a dish, and sent to Ks, +and the severed head suspended over the gates of the king's palace. +Afrsiyb hearing of this catastrophe, which sealed the fate of his +favorite son, immediately collected together the whole of the Trnian +army, and hastened himself to resist the conquering career of the enemy. + + As on they moved; with loud and dissonant clang; + His numerous troops shut out the prospect round; + No sun was visible by day; no moon, + Nor stars by night. The tramp of men and steeds, + And rattling drums, and shouts, were only heard, + And the bright gleams of armour only seen. + +Ere long the two armies met, when Plsam, the brother of Prn, was +ambitious of opposing his single arm against Rustem, upon which +Afrsiyb said:--"Subdue Rustem, and thy reward shall be my daughter, +and half my kingdom." Prn, however, observed that he was too young to +be a fit match for the experience and valor of the Persian champion, and +would have dissuaded him from the unequal contest, but the choice was +his own, and he was consequently permitted by Afrsiyb to put his +bravery to the test. Plsam accordingly went forth and summoned Rustem +to the fight; but Gw, hearing the call, accepted the challenge himself, +and had nearly been thrown from his horse by the superior activity of +his opponent. Fermurz luckily saw him at the perilous moment, and +darting forward, with one stroke of his sword shattered Plsam's javelin +to pieces, and then a new strife began. Plsam and Fermurz fought +together with desperation, till both were almost exhausted, and Rustem +himself was surprised to see the display of so much valor. Perceiving +the wearied state of the two warriors he pushed forward Rakush, and +called aloud to Plsam:--"Am I not the person challenged?" and +immediately the Trnian chief proceeded to encounter him, striking with +all his might at the head of the champion; but though the sword was +broken by the blow, not a hair of his head was disordered. + + Then Rustem urging on his gallant steed, + Fixed his long javelin in the girdle band + Of his ambitious foe, and quick unhorsed him; + Then dragged him on towards Afrsiyb, + And, scoffing, cast him at the despot's feet. + "Here comes the glorious conqueror," he said; + "Now give to him thy daughter and thy treasure, + Thy kingdom and thy soldiers; has he not + Done honour to thy country?--Is he not + A jewel in thy crown of sovereignty? + What arrogance inspired the fruitless hope! + Think of thy treachery to Saiwush; + Thy savage cruelty, and never look + For aught but deadly hatred from mankind; + And in the field of fight defeat and ruin." + Thus scornfully he spoke, and not a man, + Though in the presence of Afrsiyb, + Had soul to meet him; fear o'ercame them all + Monarch and warriors, for a time. At length + Shame was awakened, and the king appeared + In arms against the champion. Fiercely they + Hurled their sharp javelins--Rustem's struck the head + Of his opponent's horse, which floundering fell, + And overturned his rider. Anxious then + The champion sprang to seize the royal prize; + But Hmn rushed between, and saved his master, + Who vaulted on another horse and fled. + +Having thus rescued Afrsiyb, the wary chief exercised all his cunning +and adroitness to escape himself, and at last succeeded. Rustem pursued +him, and the Trnian troops, who had followed the example of the king; +but though thousands were slain in the chase which continued for many +farsangs, no further advantage was obtained on that day. Next morning, +however, Rustem resumed his pursuit; and the enemy hearing of his +approach, retreated into Chinese Tartary, to secure, among other +advantages, the person of Kai-khosru; leaving the kingdom of Trn at +the mercy of the invader, who mounted the throne, and ruled there, it is +said, about seven years, with memorable severity, proscribing and +putting to death every person who mentioned the name of Afrsiyb. In +the meantime he made splendid presents to Ts and Gdarz, suitable to +their rank and services; and Zra, in revenge for the monstrous outrage +committed upon Saiwush, burnt and destroyed everything that came in his +way; his wrath being exasperated by the sight of the places in which the +young prince had resided, and recreated himself with hunting and other +sports of the field. The whole realm, in fact, was delivered over to +plunder and devastation; and every individual of the army was enriched +by the appropriation of public and private wealth. The companions of +Rustem, however, grew weary of residing in Trn, and they strongly +represented to him the neglect which Kai-ks had suffered for so many +years, recommending his return to Persia, as being more honorable than +the exile they endured in an ungenial climate. Rustem's abandonment of +the kingdom was at length carried into effect; and he and his warriors +did not fail to take away with them all the immense property that +remained in jewels and gold; part of which was conveyed by the champion +to Zbul and Sstn, and a goodly proportion to the king of kings in +Persia. + + When to Afrsiyb was known + The plunder of his realm and throne, + That the destroyer's reckless hand + With fire and sword had scathed the land, + Sorrow and anguish filled his soul, + And passion raged beyond control; + And thus he to his warriors said:-- + "At such a time, is valour dead? + The man who hears the mournful tale, + And is not by his country's bale + Urged on to vengeance, cannot be + Of woman born; accursed is he! + The time will come when I shall reap + The harvest of resentment deep; + And till arrives that fated hour, + Farewell to joy in hall or bower." + +Rustem, in taking revenge for the murder of Saiwush, had not been +unmindful of Kai-khosru, and had actually sent to the remote parts of +Tartary in quest of him. + +It is said that Gdarz beheld in a dream the young prince, who pointed +out to him his actual residence, and intimated that of all the warriors +of Ks, Gw was the only one destined to restore him to the world and +his birth-right. The old man immediately requested his son Gw to go to +the place where the stranger would be found. Gw readily complied, and +in his progress provided himself at every stage successively with a +guide, whom he afterwards slew to prevent discovery, and in this manner +he proceeded till he reached the boundary of Chn, enjoying no comfort +by day, or sleep by night. His only food was the flesh of the wild ass, +and his only covering the skin of the same animal. He went on traversing +mountain and forest, enduring every privation, and often did he +hesitate, often did he think of returning, but honor urged him forward +in spite of the trouble and impediments with which he was continually +assailed. Arriving in a desert one day, he happened to meet with several +persons, who upon being interrogated, said that they were sent by +Prn-wsah in search of Kai-ks. Gw kept his own secret, saying that +he was amusing himself with hunting the wild ass, but took care to +ascertain from them the direction in which they were going. During the +night the parties separated, and in the morning Gw proceeded rapidly on +his route, and after some time discovered a youth sitting by the side of +a fountain, with a cup in his hand, whom he supposed to be Kai-khosru. +The youth also spontaneously thought "This must be Gw"; and when the +traveller approached him, and said, "I am sure thou art the son of +Saiwush"; the youth observed, "I am equally sure that thou art Gw the +son of Gdarz." At this Gw was amazed, and falling to his feet, asked +how, and from what circumstance, he recognized him. The youth replied +that he knew all the warriors of Ks; Rustem, and Kishwd, and Ts, and +Gdarz, and the rest, from their portraits in his father's gallery, they +being deeply impressed on his mind. He then asked in what way Gw had +discovered him to be Kai-khosru, and Gw answered, "Because I perceived +something kingly in thy countenance. But let me again examine thee!" The +youth, at this request, removed his garments, and Gw beheld that mark +on his body which was the heritage of the race of Kai-kobd. Upon this +discovery he rejoiced, and congratulating himself and the young prince +on the success of his mission, related to him the purpose for which he +had come. Kai-khosru was soon mounted on horseback, and Gw accompanied +him respectfully on foot. They, in the first instance, pursued their way +towards the abode of Ferangs, his mother. The persons sent by +Prn-wsah did not arrive at the place where Kai-khosru had been kept +till long after Gw and the prince departed; and then they were told +that a Persian horseman had come and carried off the youth, upon which +they immediately returned, and communicated to Prn what had occurred. +Ferangs, in recovering her son, mentioned to Gw, with the fondness of +a mother, the absolute necessity of going on without delay, and pointed +out to him the meadow in which some of Afrsiyb's horses were to be met +with, particularly one called Behzd, which once belonged to Saiwush, +and which her father had kept in good condition for his own riding. Gw, +therefore, went to the meadow, and throwing his kamund, secured Behzd +and another horse; and all three being thus accommodated, hastily +proceeded on their journey towards Irn. + +Tidings of the escape of Kai-khosru having reached Afrsiyb, he +despatched Kulbd with three hundred horsemen after him; and so rapid +were his movements that he overtook the fugitives in the vicinity of +Bulgharia. Khosru and his mother were asleep, but Gw being awake, and +seeing an armed force evidently in pursuit of his party, boldly put on +his armor, mounted Behzd, and before the enemy came up, advanced to the +charge. He attacked the horsemen furiously with sword, and mace, for he +had heard the prophecy, which declared that Kai-khosru was destined to +be the king of kings, and therefore he braved the direst peril with +confidence, and the certainty of success. It was this feeling which +enabled him to perform such a prodigy of valor, in putting Kulbd and +his three hundred horsemen to the rout. They all fled defeated, and +dispersed precipitately before him. After this surprising victory, he +returned to the halting place, and told Kai-khosru what he had done. +The prince was disappointed at not having been awakened to participate +in the exploit, but Gw said, "I did not wish to disturb thy sweet +slumbers unnecessarily. It was thy good fortune and prosperous star, +however, which made me triumph over the enemy." The three travellers +then resuming their journey: + + Through dreary track, and pathless waste, + And wood and wild, their way they traced. + +The return of the defeated Kulbd excited the greatest indignation in +the breast of Prn. "What! three hundred soldiers to fly from the valor +of one man! Had Gw possessed even the activity and might of Rustem and +Sm, such a shameful discomfiture could scarcely have happened." Saying +this, he ordered the whole force under his command to be got ready, and +set off himself to overtake and intercept the fugitives, who, fatigued +with the toilsome march, were only able to proceed one stage in the day. +Prn, therefore, who travelled at the rate of one hundred leagues a +day, overtook them before they had passed through Bulgharia. Ferangs, +who saw the enemy's banner floating in the air, knew that it belonged to +Prn, and instantly awoke the two young men from sleep. Upon this +occasion, Khosru insisted on acting his part, instead of being left +ignominiously idle; but Gw was still resolute and determined to +preserve him from all risk, at the peril of his own life. "Thou art +destined to be the king of the world; thou art yet young, and a novice, +and hast never known the toils of war; Heaven forbid that any misfortune +should befall thee: indeed, whilst I live, I will never suffer thee to +go into battle!" Khosru then proposed to give him assistance; but Gw +said he wanted no assistance, not even from Rustem; "for," he added, "in +art and strength we are equal, having frequently tried our skill +together." Rustem had given his daughter in marriage to Gw, he himself +being married to Gw's sister. "Be of good cheer," resumed he, "get upon +some high place, and witness the battle between us. + + "Fortune will still from Heaven descend, + The god of victory is my friend." + +As soon as he took the field, Prn thus addressed him: "Thou hast once, +singly, defeated three hundred of my soldiers; thou shalt now see what +punishment awaits thee at my hands. + + "For should a warrior be a rock of steel, + A thousand ants, gathered on every side, + In time will make him but a heap of dust." + +In reply, Gw said to Prn, "I am the man who bound thy two women, and +sent them from China to Persia--Rustem and I are the same in battle. +Thou knowest, when he encountered a thousand horsemen, what was the +result, and what he accomplished! Thou wilt find me the same: is not a +lion enough to overthrow a thousand kids? + + "If but a man survive of thy proud host, + Brand me with coward--say I'm not a warrior. + Already have I triumphed o'er Kulbd, + And now I'll take thee prisoner, yea, alive! + And send thee to Ks--there thou wilt be + Slain to avenge the death of Saiwush; + Trn shall perish, and Afrsiyb, + And every earthly hope extinguished quite." + Hearing this awful threat, Prn turned pale + And shook with terror--trembling like a reed; + And saying: "Go, I will not fight with thee!" + But Gw asked fiercely: "Why?" And on he rushed + Against the foe, who fled--but 'twas in vain. + The kamund round the old man's neck was thrown, + And he was taken captive. Then his troops + Showered their sharp arrows on triumphant Gw, + To free their master, who was quickly brought + Before Kai-khosru, and the kamund placed + Within his royal hands. This service done, + Gw sped against the Tartars, and full soon + Defeated and dispersed them. + +On his return, Gw expressed his astonishment that Prn was still +alive; when Ferangs interposed, and weeping, said how much she had been +indebted to his interposition and the most active humanity on various +occasions, and particularly in saving herself and Kai-khosru from the +wrath of Afrsiyb after the death of Saiwush. "If," said she, "after +so much generosity he has committed one fault, let it be forgiven. + + "Let not the man of many virtues die, + For being guilty of one trifling error. + Let not the friend who nobly saved my life, + And more, the dearer life of Kai-khosru, + Suffer from us. O, he must never, never, + Feel the sharp pang of foul ingratitude, + From a true prince of the Kainian race." + +But Gw paused, and said, "I have sworn to crimson the earth with his +blood, and I must not pass from my oath." Khosru then suggested to him +to pierce the lobes of Prn's ears, and drop the blood on the ground to +stain it, in order that he might not depart from his word; and this +humane fraud was accordingly committed. Khosru further interceded; and +instead of being sent a captive to Ks, the good old man was set at +liberty. + +When the particulars of this event were described to Afrsiyb by +Prn-wsah, he was exceedingly sorrowful, and lamented deeply that +Kai-khosru had so successfully effected his escape. But he had recourse +to a further expedient, and sent instructions to all the ferrymen of the +Jihn, with a minute description of the three travellers, to prevent +their passing that river, announcing at the same time that he himself +was in pursuit of them. Not a moment was lost in preparing his army for +the march, and he moved forward with the utmost expedition, night and +day. At the period when Gw arrived on the banks of the Jihn, the +stream was very rapid and formidable, and he requested the ferrymen to +produce their certificates to show themselves equal to their duty. They +pretended that their certificates were lost, but demanded for their fare +the black horse upon which Gw rode. Gw replied, that he could not part +with his favorite horse; and they rejoined, "Then give us the damsel who +accompanies you." Gw answered, and said, "This is not a damsel, but the +mother of that youth!"--"Then," observed they, "give us the youth's +crown." But Gw told them that he could not comply with their demand; +yet he was ready to reward them with money to any extent. The +pertinacious ferrymen, who were not anxious for money, then demanded his +armor, and this was also refused; and such was their independence or +their effrontery, that they replied, "If not one of these four things +you are disposed to grant, cross the river as best you may." Gw +whispered to Kai-khosru, and told him that there was no time for delay. +"When Kavah, the blacksmith," said he, "rescued thy great ancestor, +Feridn, he passed the stream in his armor without impediment; and why +should we, in a cause of equal glory, hesitate for a moment?" Under the +inspiring influence of an auspicious omen, and confiding in the +protection of the Almighty, Kai-khosru at once impelled his foaming +horse into the river; his mother, Ferangs, followed with equal +intrepidity, and then Gw; and notwithstanding the perilous passage, +they all successfully overcame the boiling surge, and landed in safety, +to the utter amazement of the ferrymen, who of course had expected they +would be drowned, + +It so happened that at the moment they touched the shore, Afrsiyb with +his army arrived, and had the mortification to see the fugitives on the +other bank, beyond his reach. His wonder was equal to his +disappointment. + + "What spirits must they have to brave + The terrors of that boiling wave-- + With steed and harness, riding o'er + The billows to the further shore." + + It was a cheering sight, they say, + To see how well they kept their way, + How Ferangs impelled her horse + Across that awful torrent's course, + Guiding him with heroic hand, + To reach unhurt the friendly strand. + +Afrsiyb continued for some time mute with astonishment and vexation, +and when he recovered, ordered the ferrymen to get ready their boats to +pass him over the river; but Hmn dissuaded him from that measure, +saying that they could only convey a few troops, and they would +doubtless be received by a large force of the enemy on the other side. +At these words, Afrsiyb seemed to devour his own blood with grief and +indignation, and immediately retracing his steps, returned to Trn. + +As soon as Gw entered within the boundary of the Persian empire, he +poured out thanksgivings to God for his protection, and sent +intelligence to Ks of the safe arrival of the party in his dominions. +The king rejoiced exceedingly, and appointed an honorary deputation +under the direction of Gdarz, to meet the young prince on the road. On +first seeing him, the king moved forward to receive him; and weeping +affectionately, kissed his eyes and face, and had a throne prepared for +him exactly like his own, upon which he seated him; and calling the +nobles and warriors of the land together, commanded them to obey him. +All readily promised their allegiance, excepting Ts, who left the court +in disgust, and repairing forthwith to the house of Frburz, one of the +sons of Ks, told him that he would only pay homage and obedience to +him, and not to the infant whom Gw had just brought out of a desert. +Next day the great men and leaders were again assembled to declare +publicly by an official act their fealty to Kai-khosru, and Ts was +also invited to the banquet, which was held on the occasion, but he +refused to go. Gw was deputed to repeat the invitation; and he then +said, "I shall pay homage to Frburz, as the heir to the throne, and to +no other. + + "For is he not the son of Kai-ks, + And worthy of the regal crown and throne? + I want not any of the race of Poshang-- + None of the proud Trnian dynasty-- + Fruitless has been thy peril, Gw, to bring + A silly child among us, to defraud + The rightful prince of his inheritance!" + +Gw, in reply, vindicated the character and attainments of Khosru, but +Ts was not to be appeased. He therefore returned to his father and +communicated to him what had occurred. Gdarz was roused to great wrath +by this resistance to the will of the king, and at once took twelve +thousand men and his seventy-eight kinsmen, together with Gw, and +proceeded to support his cause by force of arms. Ts, apprised of his +intentions, prepared to meet him, but was reluctant to commit himself by +engaging in a civil war, and said, internally:-- + + "If I unsheath the sword of strife, + Numbers on either side will fall, + I would not sacrifice the life + Of one who owns my sovereign's thrall. + + "My country would abhor the deed, + And may I never see the hour + When Persia's sons are doomed to bleed, + But when opposed to foreign power. + + "The cause must be both good and true, + And if their blood in war must flow, + Will it not seem of brighter hue, + When shed to crush the Tartar foe?" + +Possessing these sentiments, Ts sent an envoy to Gdarz, suggesting the +suspension of any hostile proceedings until information on the subject +had been first communicated to the king. Ks was extremely displeased +with Gdarz for his precipitancy and folly, and directed both him and +Ts to repair immediately to court. Ts there said frankly, "I now owe +honor and allegiance to king Ks; but should he happen to lay aside the +throne and the diadem, my obedience and loyalty will be due to Frburz +his heir, and not to a stranger." To this, Gdarz replied, "Saiwush was +the eldest son of the king, and unjustly murdered, and therefore it +becomes his majesty to appease and rejoice the soul of the deceased, by +putting Kai-khosru in his place. Kai-khosru, like Feridn, is worthy +of empire; all the nobles of the land are of this opinion, excepting +thyself, which must arise from ignorance and vanity. + + "From Nauder certainly thou are descended, + Not from a stranger, not from foreign loins; + But though thy ancestor was wise and mighty + Art thou of equal merit? No, not thou! + Regarding Khosru, thou hast neither shown + Reason nor sense--but most surprising folly!" + To this contemptuous speech, Ts thus replied: + "Ungenerous warrior! wherefore thus employ + Such scornful words to me? Who art thou, pray! + Who, but the low descendant of a blacksmith? + No Khosru claims thee for his son, no chief + Of noble blood; whilst I can truly boast + Kindred to princes of the highest worth, + And merit not to be obscured by thee!" + To him then Gdarz: "Hear me for this once, + Then shut thy ears for ever. Need I blush + To be the kinsman of the glorious Kavah? + It is my humour to be proud of him. + Although he was a blacksmith--that same man, + Who, when the world could still boast of valour, + Tore up the name-roll of the fiend Zohk, + And gave the Persians freedom from the fangs + Of the devouring serpents. He it was, + Who raised the banner, and proclaimed aloud, + Freedom for Persia! Need I blush for him? + To him the empire owes its greatest blessing, + The prosperous rule of virtuous Feridn." + Ts wrathfully rejoined: "Old man! thy arrow + May pierce an anvil--mine can pierce the heart + Of the Kf mountain! If thy mace can break + A rock asunder--mine can strike the sun!" + +The anger of the two heroes beginning to exceed all proper bounds, Ks +commanded silence; when Gdarz came forward, and asked permission to say +one word more: "Call Khosru and Frburz before thee, and decide +impartially between them which is the most worthy of sovereignty--let +the wisest and the bravest only be thy successor to the throne of +Persia." Ks replied: + + "The father has no choice among his children, + He loves them all alike--his only care + Is to prevent disunion; to preserve + Brotherly kindness and respect among them." + +After a pause, he requested the attendance of Frburz and Khosru, and +told them that there was a demon-fortress in the vicinity of his +dominions called Bahmen, from which fire was continually issuing. "Go, +each of you," said he, "against this fortress, supported by an army with +which you shall each be equally provided, and the conqueror shall be the +sovereign of Persia." Frburz was not sorry to hear of this probationary +scheme, and only solicited to be sent first on the expedition. He and +Ts looked upon the task as perfectly easy, and promised to be back +triumphant in a short time. + + But when the army reached that awful fort, + The ground seemed all in flames on every side; + One universal fire raged round and round, + And the hot wind was like the scorching breath + Which issues from red furnaces, where spirits + Infernal dwell. Full many a warrior brave, + And many a soldier perished in that heat, + Consumed to ashes. Nearer to the fort + Advancing, they beheld it in mid-air, + But not a living thing--nor gate, nor door; + Yet they remained one week, hoping to find + Some hidden inlet, suffering cruel loss + Hour after hour--but none could they descry. + At length, despairing, they returned, worn out, + Scorched, and half-dead with watching, care, and toil. + And thus Frburz and Ts, discomfited + And sad, appeared before the Persian king. + + Then was it Khosru's turn, and him Ks + Despatched with Gw, and Gdarz, and the troops + Appointed for that enterprise, and blessed them. + When the young prince approached the destined scene + Of his exploit, he saw the blazing fort + Reddening the sky and earth, and well he knew + This was the work of sorcery, the spell + Of demon-spirits. In a heavenly dream, + He had been taught how to destroy the charms + Of fell magicians, and defy their power, + Though by the devil, the devil himself, sustained, + He wrote the name of God, and piously + Bound it upon his javelin's point, and pressed + Fearlessly forward, showing it on high; + And Gw displayed it on the magic walls + Of that proud fortress--breathing forth a prayer + Craving the aid of the Almighty arm; + When suddenly the red fires died away, + And all the world was darkness, Khosru's troops + Following the orders of their prince, then shot + Thick clouds of arrows from ten thousand bows, + In the direction of the enchanted tower. + The arrows fell like rain, and quickly slew + A host of demons--presently bright light + Dispelled the gloom, and as the mist rolled off + In sulphury circles, the surviving fiends + Were seen in rapid flight; the fortress, too, + Distinctly shone, and its prodigious gate, + Through which the conquerors passed. Great wealth they found, + And having sacked the place, Khosru erected + A lofty temple, to commemorate + His name and victory there, then back returned + Triumphantly to gladden king Ks, + Whose heart expanded at the joyous news. + +The result of Kai-khosru's expedition against the enchanted castle, +compared with that of Frburz, was sufficient of itself to establish the +former in the king's estimation, and accordingly it was announced to the +princes and nobles and warriors of the land, that he should succeed to +the throne, and be crowned on a fortunate day. A short time afterwards +the coronation took place with great pomp and splendor; and Khosru +conducted himself towards men of every rank and station with such +perfect kindness and benevolence, that he gained the affections of all +and never failed daily to pay a visit to his grandfather Ks, and to +familiarize himself with the affairs of the kingdom which he was +destined to govern. + + Justice he spread with equal hand, + Rooting oppression from the land; + And every desert, wood, and wild, + With early cultivation smiled; + And every plain, with verdure clad, + And every Persian heart was glad. + + + +KAI-KHOSRU + +The tidings of Khosru's accession to the throne were received at Sstn +by Zl and Rustem with heartfelt pleasure, and they forthwith hastened +to court with rich presents, to pay him their homage, and congratulate +him on the occasion of his elevation. The heroes were met on the road +with suitable honors, and Khosru embracing Rustem affectionately, lost +no time in asking for his assistance in taking vengeance for the death +of Saiwush. The request was no sooner made than granted, and the +champion having delivered his presents, then proceeded with his father +Zl to wait upon Ks, who prepared a royal banquet, and entertained +Khosru and them in the most sumptuous manner. It was there agreed to +march a large army against Afrsiyb; and all the warriors zealously +came forward with their best services, except Zl, who on account of his +age requested to remain tranquilly in his own province. Khosru said to +Ks: + + "The throne can yield no happiness for me, + Nor can I sleep the sleep of health and joy + Till I have been revenged on that destroyer. + The tyrant of Trn; to please the spirit + Of my poor butchered father." + +Ks, on delivering over to him the imperial army, made him acquainted +with the character and merits of every individual of importance. He +appointed Frburz, and a hundred warriors, who were the prince's friends +and relatives, to situations of trust and command, and Ts was among +them. Gdarz and his seventy-eight sons and grandsons were placed on the +right, and Gustahem, the brother of Ts, with an immense levy on the +left. There were also close to Khosru's person, in the centre of the +hosts, thirty-three warriors of the race of Poshang, and a separate +guard under Byzun. + +In their progress Khosru said to Frburz and Ts, "Ferd, who is my +brother, has built a strong fort in Bokhra, called Kullb, which stands +on the way to the enemy, and there he resides with his mother, +Glshaher. Let him not be molested, for he is also the son of Saiwush, +but pass on one side of his possessions." Frburz did pass on one side +as requested; but Ts, not liking to proceed by the way of the desert, +and preferring a cultivated and pleasant country, went directly on +through the places which led to the very fort in question. When Ferd +was informed of the approach of Ts with an armed force, he naturally +concluded that he was coming to fight him, and consequently determined +to oppose his progress. Ts, however, sent R, his son-in-law, to +explain to Ferd that he had no quarrel or business with him, and only +wished to pass peaceably through his province; but Ferd thought this +was merely an idle pretext, and proceeding to hostilities, R was +killed by him in the conflict that ensued. Ts, upon being informed of +this result, drew up his army, and besieged the fort into which Ferd +had precipitately retired. When Ferd, however, found that Ts himself +was in the field, he sallied forth from his fastness, and assailed him +with his bow and arrows. One of the darts struck and killed the horse of +Ts, and tumbled his rider to the ground. Upon this occurrence Gw +rushed forward in the hopes of capturing the prince; but it so happened +that he was unhorsed in the same way. Byzun, the son of Gw, seeing with +great indignation this signal overthrow, wished to be revenged on the +victor; and though his father endeavored to restrain him, nothing could +control his wrath. He sprung speedily forward to fulfil his menace, but +by the bravery and expertness of Ferd, his horse was killed, and he too +was thrown headlong from his saddle. Unsubdued, however, he rose upon +his feet, and invited his antagonist to single combat. In consequence of +this challenge, they fought a short time with spears till Ferd deemed +it advisable to retire into his fort, from the lofty walls of which he +cast down so many stones, that Byzun was desperately wounded, and +compelled to leave the place. When he informed Ts of the misfortune +which had befallen him, that warrior vowed that on the following day not +a man should remain alive in the fort. The mother of Ferd, who was the +daughter of Wsah, had at this period a dream which informed her that +the fortress had taken fire, and that the whole of the inhabitants had +been consumed to death. This dream she communicated to Ferd, who said +in reply:-- + + "Mother! I have no dread of death; + What is there in this vital breath? + My sire was wounded, and he died; + And fate may lay me by his side! + Was ever man immortal?--never! + We cannot, mother, live for ever. + Mine be the task in life to claim + In war a bright and spotless name. + What boots it to be pale with fear, + And dread each grief that waits us here? + Protected by the power divine, + Our lot is written--why repine?" + +Ts, according to his threat, attacked the fort, and burst open the +gates. Ferd defended himself with great valor against Byzun; and whilst +they were engaged in deadly battle, Bhrm, the hero, sprang up from his +ambuscade, and striking furiously upon the head of Ferd, killed that +unfortunate youth on the spot. The mother, the beautiful Glshaher, +seeing what had befallen her son, rushed out of the fort in a state of +frenzy, and flying to him, clasped him in her arms in an agony of grief. +Unable to survive his loss, she plunged a dagger in her own breast, and +died at his feet. The Persians then burst open the gates, and plundered +the city. Bhrm, when he saw what had been done, reproached Ts with +being the cause of this melancholy tragedy, and asked him what account +he would give of his conduct to Kai-khosru. Ts was extremely +concerned, and remaining three days at that place, erected a lofty +monument to the memory of the unfortunate youth, and scented it with +musk and camphor. He then pushed forward his army to attack another +fort. That fort gave way, the commandant being killed in the attack; and +he then hastened on toward Afrsiyb, who had ordered Nizd with thirty +thousand horsemen to meet him. Byzun distinguished himself in the +contest which followed, but would have fallen into the hands of the +enemy if he had not been rescued by his men, and conveyed from the field +of battle. Afrsiyb pushed forward another force of forty thousand +horsemen under Prn-wsah, who suffered considerable loss in an +engagement with Gw; and in consequence fell back for the purpose of +retrieving himself by a shubkhn, or night attack. The resolution proved +to be a good one; for when night came on, the Persians were found off +their guard, many of them being intoxicated, and the havoc and +destruction committed among them by the Tartars was dreadful. The +survivors were in a miserable state of despondency, but it was not till +morning dawned that Ts beheld the full extent of his defeat and the +ruin that surrounded him. When Kai-khosru heard of this heavy reverse, +he wrote to Frburz, saying, "I warned Ts not to proceed by the way of +Kullb, because my brother and his mother dwelt in that place, and their +residence ought to have been kept sacred. He has not only despised my +orders, but he has cruelly occasioned the untimely death of both. Let +him be bound, and sent to me a prisoner, and do thou assume the command +of the army." Frburz accordingly placed Ts in confinement, and sent +him to Khosru, who received and treated him with reproaches and wrath, +and consigned him to a dungeon. He then wrote to Prn, reproaching him +for resorting to a night attack so unworthy of a brave man, and +challenging him to resume the battle with him. Prn said that he would +meet him after the lapse of a month, and at the expiration of that +period both armies were opposed to each other. The contest commenced +with arrows, then swords, and then with javelins; and Gw and Byzun were +the foremost in bearing down the warriors of the enemy, who suffered so +severely that they turned aside to attack Frburz, against whom they +hoped to be more successful. The assault which they made was +overwhelming, and vast numbers were slain, so that Frburz, finding +himself driven to extremity, was obliged to shelter himself and his +remaining troops on the skirts of a mountain. In the meantime Gdarz and +Gw determined to keep their ground or perish, and sent Byzun to Frburz +to desire him to join them, or if that was impracticable, to save the +imperial banner by despatching it to their care. To this message, +Frburz replied: "The traitors are triumphant over me on every side, and +I cannot go, nor will I give up the imperial banner, but tell Gdarz to +come to my aid." Upon receiving this answer, Byzun struck the +standard-bearer dead, and snatching up the Derafsh Gvahn, conveyed it +to Gdarz, who, raising it on high, directed his troops against the +enemy; and so impetuous was the charge, that the carnage on both sides +was prodigious. Only eight of the sons of Gdarz remained alive, seventy +of his kindred having been slain on that day, and many of the family of +Ks were also killed. Nor did the relations of Afrsiyb and Prn +suffer in a less degree, nine hundred of them, warriors and cavaliers, +were sent out of the world; yet victory remained with the Trnians. + +When Afrsiyb was informed of the result of this battle, he sent +presents and honorary dresses to his officers, saying, "We must not be +contented with this triumph; you have yet to obscure the martial glory +of Rustem and Khosru." Prn replied, "No doubt that object will be +accomplished with equal facility." + +After the defeat of the Persian army, Frburz retired under the cover of +night, and at length arrived at the court of Khosru, who was afflicted +with the deepest sorrow, both on account of his loss in battle and the +death of his brother Ferd. Rustem was now as usual applied to for the +purpose of consoling the king, and extricating the empire from its +present misfortunes. Khosru was induced to liberate Ts from his +confinement, and requested Rustem to head the army against Prn, but +Ts offered his services, and the champion observed, "He is fully +competent to oppose the arms of Prn; but if Afrsiyb takes the field, +I will myself instantly follow to the war." Khosru accordingly deputed +Ts and Gdarz with a large army, and the two hostile powers were soon +placed in opposition to each other. It is said that they were engaged +seven days and nights, and that on the eighth Hmn came forward, and +challenged several warriors to fight singly, all of whom he successively +slew. He then called upon Ts, but Gdarz not permitting him to accept +the challenge, sent Gw in his stead. The combatants met; and after +being wounded and exhausted by their struggles for mastery, each +returned to his own post. The armies again engaged with arrows, and +again the carnage was great, but the battle remained undecided. + +Prn had now recourse to supernatural agency, and sent Bar, a renowned +magician, perfect in his art, upon the neighboring mountains, to involve +them in darkness, and produce by his conjuration tempestuous showers of +snow and hail. He ordered him to direct all their intense severity +against the enemy, and to avoid giving any annoyance to the Trnian +army. Accordingly when Hmn and Prn-wsah made their attack, they had +the co-operation of the elements, and the consequence was a desperate +overthrow of the Persian army. + + So dreadful was the carnage, that the plain + Was crimsoned with the blood of warriors slain. + +In this extremity, Ts and Gdarz piously put up a prayer to God, +earnestly soliciting protection from the horrors with which they were +surrounded. + + O Thou! the clement, the compassionate, + We are thy servants, succor our distress, + And save us from the sorcery that now + Yields triumph to the foe. In thee alone + We place our trust; graciously hear our prayer! + +Scarcely had this petition been uttered, when a mysterious person +appeared to Rehm from the invisible world, and pointed to the mountain +from whence the tempest descended. Rehm immediately attended to the +sign, and galloped forward to the mountain, where he discovered the +magician upon its summit, deeply engaged in incantations and witchcraft. +Forthwith he drew his sword and cut off this wizard's arms. Suddenly a +whirlwind arose, which dissipated the utter darkness that prevailed; and +then nothing remained of the preternatural gloom, not a particle of the +hail or snow was to be seen: Rehm, however, brought him down from the +mountain and after presenting him before Ts, put an end to his wicked +existence. The armies were now on a more equal footing: they beheld more +clearly the ravages that had been committed by each, and each had great +need of rest. They accordingly retired till the following day, and then +again opposed each other with renewed vigor and animosity. But fortune +would not smile on the exertions of the Persian hosts, they being +obliged to fall back upon the mountain Hamwun, and in the fortress +situated there Ts deposited all his sick and wounded, continuing +himself in advance to ensure their protection. Prn seeing this, +ordered his troops to besiege the place where Ts had posted himself. +This was objected to by Hmn, but Prn was resolved upon the measure, +and had several conflicts with the enemy without obtaining any advantage +over them. In the mountain-fortress there happened to be wells of water +and abundance of grain and provisions, so that the Persians were in no +danger of being reduced by starvation. Khosru, however, being informed +of their situation, sent Rustem, accompanied by Frburz, to their +assistance, and they were both welcomed, and received with rejoicing, +and cordial satisfaction. The fortress gates were thrown open, and +Rustem was presently seen seated upon a throne in the public hall, +deliberating on the state of affairs, surrounded by the most +distinguished leaders of the army. + +In the meanwhile Prn-wsah had written to Afrsiyb, informing him +that he had reduced the Persian army to great distress, had forced them +to take refuge in a mountain fort, and requested a further reinforcement +to complete the victory, and make them all prisoners. Afrsiyb in +consequence despatched three illustrious confederates from different +regions. There was Shinkul of Sugsar, the Khakn of Chn, whose crown +was the starry heavens, and Kms of Kushn, a hero of high renown and +wondrous in every deed. + + For when he frowned, the air grew freezing cold; + And when he smiled, the genial spring showered down + Roses and hyacinths, and all was brightness! + +Prn went first to pay a visit to Kms, to whom he, almost trembling, +described the amazing strength and courage of Rustem: but Kms was too +powerful to express alarm; on the contrary, he said: + + "Is praise like this to Rustem due? + And what, if all thou say'st be true? + Are his large limbs of iron made? + Will they resist my trenchant blade? + His head may now his shoulders grace, + But will it long retain its place? + Let me but meet him in the fight, + And thou shalt see Kamus's might!" + +Prn's spirits rose at this bold speech, and encouraged by its effects, +he repaired to the Khakn of Chn, with whom he settled the necessary +arrangements for commencing battle on the following day. Early in the +morning the different armies under Kms, the Khakn, and Prn-wsah, +were drawn out, and Rustem was also prepared with the troops under his +command for the impending conflict. He saw that the force arrayed +against him was prodigious, and most tremendous in aspect; and offering +a prayer to the Creator, he plunged into the battle. + + 'Twas at mid-day the strife began, + With steed to steed and man to man; + The clouds of dust which rolled on high, + Threw darkness o'er the earth and sky. + Each soldier on the other rushed, + And every blade with crimson blushed; + And valiant hearts were trod upon, + Like sand beneath the horse's feet, + And when the warrior's life was gone, + His mail became his winding sheet. + +The first leader who advanced conspicuously from among the Tartar army +was Ushkabs, against whom Rehm boldly opposed himself; but after a +short conflict, in which he had some difficulty in defending his life +from the assaults of his antagonist, he thought it prudent to retire. +When Ushkabs saw this he turned round with the intention of rejoining +his own troops; but Rustem having witnessed the triumph over his friend, +sallied forth on foot, taking up his bow, and placing a few arrows in +his girdle, and asked him whither he was going. + + Astonished, Ushkabs cried, "Who art thou? + What kindred hast thou to lament thy fall?" + Rustem replied:--"Why madly seek to know + That which can never yield thee benefit? + My name is death to thee, thy hour is come!" + "Indeed! and thou on foot, mid mounted warriors, + To talk so bravely!"--"Yes," the champion said; + "And hast thou never heard of men on foot, + Who conquered horsemen? I am sent by Ts, + To take for him the horse of Ushkabs." + "What! and unarmed?" inquired the Tartar chief; + "No!" cried the champion, "Mark, my bow and arrow! + Mark, too, with what effect they may be used!" + So saying, Rustem drew the string, and straight + The arrow flew, and faithful to its aim, + Struck dead the foeman's horse. This done, he laughed, + But Ushkabs was wroth, and showered upon + His bold antagonist his quivered store-- + Then Rustem raised his bow, with eager eye + Choosing a dart, and placed it on the string, + A thong of elk-skin; to his ear he drew + The feathered notch, and when the point had touched + The other hand, the bended horn recoiled, + And twang the arrow sped, piercing the breast + Of Ushkabs, who fell a lifeless corse, + As if he never had been born! Erect, + And firm, the champion stood upon the plain, + Towering like mount Alberz, immovable, + The gaze and wonder of the adverse host! + +When Rustem, still unknown to the Trnian forces, returned to his own +army, the Tartars carried away the body of Ushkabs, and took it to the +Khakn of Chin, who ordered the arrow to be drawn out before him; and +when he and Kms saw how deeply it had penetrated, and that the +feathered end was wet with blood, they were amazed at the immense power +which had driven it from the bow; they had never witnessed or heard of +anything so astonishing. The fight was, in consequence, suspended till +the following day. The Khakn of Chin then inquired who was disposed or +ready to be revenged on the enemy for the death of Ushkabs, when Kms +advanced, and, soliciting permission, urged forward his horse to the +middle of the plain. He then called aloud for Rustem, but a Kbul hero, +named Alwund, a pupil of Rustem's, asked his master's permission to +oppose the challenger, which being granted, he rushed headlong to the +combat. Luckless however were his efforts, for he was soon overthrown +and slain, and then Rustem appeared in arms before the conqueror, who +hearing his voice, cried: "Why this arrogance and clamor! I am not like +Ushkabs, a trembler in thy presence." Rustem replied: + + "When the lion sees his prey, + Sees the elk-deer cross his way, + Roars he not? The very ground + Trembles at the dreadful sound. + And art thou from terror free, + When opposed in fight to me?" + +Kms now examined him with a stern eye, and was satisfied that he had +to contend against a powerful warrior: he therefore with the utmost +alacrity threw his kamund, which Rustem avoided, but it fell over the +head of his horse Rakush. Anxious to extricate himself from this +dilemma, Rustem dexterously caught hold of one end of the kamund, whilst +Kms dragged and strained at the other; and so much strength was +applied that the line broke in the middle, and Kms in consequence +tumbled backwards to the ground. The boaster had almost succeeded in +remounting his horse, when he was secured round the neck by Rustem's own +kamund, and conveyed a prisoner to the Persian army, where he was put to +death! + +The fate of Kms produced a deep sensation among the Trnians, and +Prn-wsah, partaking of the general alarm, and thinking it impossible +to resist the power of Rustem, proposed to retire from the contest, but +the Khakn of Chn was of a different opinion, and offered himself to +remedy the evil which threatened them all. Moreover the warrior, +Chingush, volunteered to fight with Rustem; and having obtained the +Khakn's permission, he took the field, and boldly challenged the +champion. Rustem received the foe with a smiling countenance, and the +struggle began with arrows. After a smart attack on both sides, Chingush +thought it prudent to fly from the overwhelming force of Rustem, who, +however, steadily pursued him, and adroitly seizing the horse by the +tail, hurled him from his saddle. + + He grasped the charger's flowing tail, + And all were struck with terror pale, + To see a sight so strange; the foe, + Dismounted by one desperate blow; + The captive asked for life in vain, + His recreant blood bedewed the plain. + His head was from his shoulders wrung, + His body to the vultures flung. + +Rustem, after this exploit, invited some other hero to single combat; +but at the moment not one replied to his challenge. At last Hmn came +forward, not however to fight, but to remonstrate, and make an effort to +put an end to the war which threatened total destruction to his country. +"Why such bitter enmity? why such a whirlwind of resentment?" said he; +"to this I ascribe the calamities under which we suffer; but is there no +way by which this sanguinary career of vengeance can be checked or +moderated?" Rustem, in answer, enumerated the aggressions and the crimes +of Afrsiyb, and especially dwelt on the atrocious murder of Saiwush, +which he declared could never be pardoned. Hmn wished to know his +name; but Rustem refused to tell him, and requested Prn-wsah might be +sent to him, to whom he would communicate his thoughts, and the secrets +of his heart freely. Hmn accordingly returned, and informed Prn of +the champion's wishes. + + "This must be Rustem, stronger than the pard, + The lion, or the Egyptian crocodile, + Or fell Ibls; dreams never painted hero + Half so tremendous on the battle plain." + +The old man said to him: + + "If this be Rustem, then the time has come, + Dreaded so long--for what but fire and sword, + Can now await us? Every town laid waste, + Soldier and peasant, husband, wife, and child, + Sharing the miseries of a ravaged land!" + +With tears in his eyes and a heavy heart, Prn repaired to the Khakn, +who, after some discussion, permitted him in these terms to go and +confer with Rustem. + + "Depart then speedful on thy embassy, + And if he seeks for peace, adjust the terms, + And presents to be sent us. If he talks + Of war and vengeance, and is clothed in mail, + No sign of peace, why we must trust in Heaven + For strength to crush his hopes of victory. + He is not formed of iron, nor of brass, + But flesh and blood, with human nerves and hair, + He does not in the battle tread the clouds, + Nor can he vanish, like the demon race-- + Then why this sorrow, why these marks of grief? + He is not stronger than an elephant; + Not he, but I will show him what it is + To fight or gambol with an elephant! + Besides, for every man his army boasts, + We have three hundred--wherefore then be sad?" + +Notwithstanding these expressions of confidence, Prn's heart was full +of alarm and terror; but he hastened to the Persian camp, and made +himself known to the champion of the host, who frankly said, after he +had heard Prn's name, "I am Rustem of Zbul, armed as thou seest for +battle!" Upon which Prn respectfully dismounted, and paid the usual +homage to his illustrious rank and distinction. Rustem said to him, "I +bring thee the blessings of Kai-khosru and Ferangs, his mother, who +nightly see thy face in their dreams." + + "Blessings from me, upon that royal youth!" + Exclaimed the good old man. "Blessings on her, + The daughter of Afrsiyb, his mother, + Who saved my life--and blessings upon thee, + Thou matchless hero! Thou hast come for vengeance, + In the dear name of gallant Saiwush, + Of Saiwush, the husband of my child, + (The beautiful Glshaher), of him who loved me + As I had been his father. His brave son, + Ferd, was slaughtered, and his mother too, + And Khosru was his brother, now the king, + By whom he fell, or if not by his sword, + Whose was the guilty hand? Has punishment + Been meted to the offender? I protected, + In mine own house, the princess Ferangs; + And when her son was born, Kai-khosru, still + I, at the risk of my existence, kept them + Safe from the fury of Afrsiyb, + Who would have sacrificed the child, or both! + And night and day I watched them, till the hour + When they escaped and crossed the boundary-stream. + Enough of this! Now let us speak of peace, + Since the confederates in this mighty war + Are guiltless of the blood of Saiwush!" + +Rustem, in answer to Prn, observed, that in negotiating the terms of +pacification, several important points were to be considered, and +several indispensable matters to be attended to. No peace could be made +unless the principal actors in the bloody tragedy of Saiwush's death +were first given up, particularly Gerswaz; vast sums of money were also +required to be presented to the king of kings; and, moreover, Rustem +said he would disdain making peace at all, but that it enabled Prn to +do service to Kai-khosru. Prn saw the difficulty of acceding to these +demands, but he speedily laid them before the Khakn, who consulted his +confederates on the subject, and after due consideration, their pride +and shame resisted the overtures, which they thought ignominious. +Shinkul, a king of Ind, was a violent opposer of the terms, and declared +against peace on any such conditions. Several other warriors expressed +their readiness to contend against Rustem, and they flattered themselves +that by a rapid succession of attacks, one after the other, they would +easily overpower him. The Khakn was pleased with this conceit and +permitted Shinkul to begin the struggle. Accordingly he entered the +plain, and summoned Rustem to renew the fight. The champion came and +struck him with a spear, which, penetrating his breast, threw him off +his horse to the ground. The dagger was already raised to finish his +career, but he sprang on his feet, and quickly ran away to tell his +misfortune to the Khakn of Chn. + + And thus he cried, in look forlorn, + "This foe is not of mortal born; + A furious elephant in fight, + A very mountain to the sight; + No warrior of the human race, + That ever wielded spear or mace, + Alone this dragon could withstand, + Or live beneath his conquering brand!" + +The Khakn reminded him how different were his feelings and sentiments +in the morning, and having asked him what he now proposed to do, he said +that without a considerable force it would be useless to return to the +field; five thousand men were therefore assigned to him, and with them +he proceeded to engage the champion. Rustem had also been joined by his +valiant companions, and a general battle ensued. The heavens were +obscured by the dust which ascended from the tramp of the horses, and +the plain was crimsoned with the blood of the slain. In the midst of the +contest, Swa, a relation of Kms, burst forward and sought to be +revenged on Rustem for the fate of his friend. The champion raised his +battle-axe, and giving Rakush the rein, with one blow of his mace +removed him to the other world. No sooner had he killed this assailant +than he was attacked by another of the kindred of Kms, named Kahr, +whom he also slew, and thus humbled the pride of the Kushanians. Elated +with his success, and having further displayed his valor among the +enemy's troops, he vowed that he would now encounter the Khakn himself, +and despoil him of all his pomp and treasure. For this purpose he +selected a thousand horsemen, and thus supported, approached the +kulub-gah, or headquarters of the monarch of Chn. The clamor of the +cavalry, and the clash of spears and swords, resounded afar. The air +became as dark as the visage of an Ethiopian, and the field was covered +with several heads, broken armor, and the bodies of the slain. Amidst +the conflict Rustem called aloud to the Khakn:-- + + "Surrender to my arms those elephants, + That ivory throne, that crown, and chain of gold; + Fit trophies for Kai-khosru, Persia's king; + For what hast thou to do with diadem + And sovereign power! My noose shall soon secure thee, + And I will send thee living to his presence; + Since, looking on my valour and my strength, + Life is enough to grant thee. If thou wilt not + Resign thy crown and throne--thy doom is sealed." + +The Khakn, filled with indignation at these haughty words, cautioned +Rustem to parry off his own danger, and then commanded his troops to +assail the enemy with a shower of arrows. The attack was so tremendous +and terrifying, even beyond the picturings of a dream, that Gdarz was +alarmed for the safety of Rustem, and sent Rehm and Gw to his aid. +Rustem said to Rehm:--"I fear that my horse Rakush is becoming weary of +exertion, in which case what shall I do in this conflict with the enemy? +I must attack on foot the Khakn of Chn, though he has an army here as +countless as legions of ants or locusts; but if Heaven continues my +friend, I shall stretch many of them in the dust, and take many +prisoners. The captives I will send to Khosru, and all the spoils of +Chn." Saying this he pushed forward, roaring like a tiger, towards the +Khakn, and exclaiming with a stern voice:--"The Turks are allied to the +devil, and the wicked are always unprosperous. Thou hast not yet fallen +in with Rustem, or thy brain would have been bewildered. He is a +never-dying dragon, always seeking the strongest in battle. But thou +hast not yet had enough of even me!" He then drew his kamund from the +saddle-strap, and praying to God to grant him victory over his foes, +urged on Rakush, and wherever he threw the noose, his aim was +successful. Great was the slaughter, and the Khakn, seeing from the +back of his white elephant the extent of his loss, and beginning to be +apprehensive about his own safety, ordered one of his warriors, well +acquainted with the language of Irn, to solicit from the enemy a +cessation of hostilities. + + "Say whence this wrath on us, this keen revenge? + We never injured Saiwush; the kings + Of Ind and Chn are guiltless of his blood; + Then why this wrath on strangers? Spells and charms, + Used by Afrsiyb--the cause of all-- + Have brought us hither to contend against + The champion Rustem; and since peace is better + Than war and bloodshed, let us part in peace." + +The messenger having delivered his message, Rustem replied:-- + + "My words are few. Let him give up his crown, + His golden collar, throne, and elephants; + These are the terms I grant. He came for plunder, + And now he asks for peace. Tell him again, + Till all his treasure and his crown are mine, + His throne and elephants, he seeks in vain + For peace with Rustem, or the Persian king!" + +When the Khakn was informed of these reiterated conditions, he burst +out into bitter reproaches and abuse; and with so loud a voice, that the +wind conveyed them distinctly to Rustem's ear. The champion immediately +prepared for the attack; and approaching the enemy, flung his kamund, by +which he at once dragged the Khakn from his white elephant. The hands +of the captured monarch were straightway bound behind his back. Degraded +and helpless he stood, and a single stroke deprived him of his crown, +and throne, and life. + + Such are, since time began, the ways of Heaven; + Such the decrees of fate! Sometimes raised up, + And sometimes hunted down by enemies, + Men, struggling, pass through this precarious life, + Exalted now to sovereign power; and now + Steeped in the gulf of poverty and sorrow. + To one is given the affluence of Krun; + Another dies in want. How little know we + What form our future fortune may assume! + The world is all deceit, deception all! + +Prn-wsah beheld the disasters of the day, he saw the Khakn of Chn +delivered over to Ts, his death, and the banners of the confederates +overthrown; and sorrowing said:--"This day is the day of flight, not of +victory to us! This is no time for son to protect father, nor father +son--we must fly!" In the meanwhile Rustem, animated by feelings of a +very different kind, gave a banquet to his warrior friends, in +celebration of the triumph. + +When the intelligence of the overthrow and death of Kms and the Khakn +of Chn, and the dispersion of their armies, reached Afrsiyb, he was +overwhelmed with distress and consternation, and expressed his +determination to be revenged on the conquerors. Not an Irnian, he said, +should remain alive; and the doors of his treasury were thrown open to +equip and reward the new army, which was to consist of a hundred +thousand men. + +Rustem having communicated to Kai-khosru, through Frburz, the account +of his success, received the most satisfactory marks of his sovereign's +applause; but still anxious to promote the glory of his country, he +engaged in new exploits. He went against Kafr, the king of the city of +Bidd, a cannibal, who feasted on human flesh, especially on the young +women of his country, and those of the greatest beauty, being the +richest morsels, were first destroyed. He soon overpowered and slew the +monster, and having given his body to be devoured by dogs, plundered and +razed his castle to the ground. After this he invaded and ravaged the +province of Khoten, one of the dependencies of Trn, and recently the +possession of Saiwush, which was a new affliction to Afrsiyb, who, +alarmed about his own empire, dispatched a trusty person secretly to +Rustem's camp, to obtain private intelligence of his hostile movements. +The answer of the spy added considerably to his distress, and in the +dilemma he consulted with Prn-wsah, that he might have the benefit of +the old man's experience and wisdom. Prn told him that he had failed +to make an impression upon the Persians, even assisted by Kms the +Kashnian, and the Khakn of Chin; both had been slain in battle, and +therefore it would be in vain to attempt further offensive measures +without the most powerful aid. There was, he added, a neighboring king, +named Pladwund, who alone seemed equal to contend with Rustem. He was +of immense stature, and of prodigious strength, and might by the favor +of heaven, be able to subdue him. Afrsiyb was pleased with this +information, and immediately invited Pladwund, by letter, to assist him +in exterminating the champion of Persia. Pladwund was proud of the +honor conferred upon him, and readily complied; hastening the +preparation of his own army to cooperate with that of Afrsiyb. He +presently joined him, and the whole of the combined forces rapidly +marched against the enemy. The first warrior he encountered was Gw, +whom he caught with his kamund. Rehm and Byzun seeing this, instantly +rushed forward to extricate their brother and champion in arms; but they +too were also secured in the same manner! In the struggle, however, the +kamunds gave way, and then Pladwund drew his sword, and by several +strokes wounded them all. The father, Gdarz, apprised of this disaster, +which had unfortunately happened to three of his sons, applied to Rustem +for succor. The champion, the refuge, the protector of all, was, as +usual, ready to repel the enemy. He forthwith advanced, liberated his +friends, and dreadful was the conflict which followed. The club was used +with great dexterity on both sides; but at length Pladwund struck his +antagonist such a blow that the sound of it was heard by the troops at a +distance, and Rustem, stunned by its severity, thought himself opposed +with so much vigor, that he prayed to the Almighty for a prosperous +issue to the engagement. + + "Should I be in this struggle slain, + What stay for Persia will be left? + None to defend Kai-khosru's reign, + Of me, his warrior-chief, bereft. + Then village, town, and city gay, + Will feel the cruel Tartar's sway!" + +Pladwund wishing to follow up the blow by a final stroke of his sword, +found to his amazement that it recoiled from the armor of Rustem, and +thence he proposed another mode of fighting, which he hoped would be +more successful. He wished to try his power in wrestling. The challenge +was accepted. By agreement both armies retired, and left the space of a +farsang between them, and no one was allowed to afford assistance to +either combatant. Afrsiyb was present, and sent word to Pladwund, the +moment he got Rustem under him, to plunge a sword in his heart. The +contest began, but Pladwund had no opportunity of fulfilling the wishes +of Afrsiyb. Rustem grasped him with such vigor, lifted him up in his +arms, and dashed him so furiously on the plain, that the boaster seemed +to be killed on the spot. Rustem indeed thought he had put a period to +his life; and with that impression left him, and remounted Rakush: but +the crafty Pladwund only pretended to be dead: and as soon as he found +himself released, sprang up and escaped, flying like an arrow to his own +side. He then told Afrsiyb how he had saved his life by counterfeiting +death, and assured him that it was useless to contend against Rustem. +The champion having witnessed this subterfuge, turned round in pursuit, +and the Tartars received him with a shower of arrows; but the attack was +well answered, Pladwund being so alarmed that, without saying a word to +Afrsiyb, he fled from the field. Prn now counselled Afrsiyb to +escape also to the remotest part of Tartary. As the flight of Pladwund +had disheartened the Trnian troops, and there was no chance of +profiting by further resistance, Afrsiyb took his advice, and so +precipitate was his retreat, that he entirely abandoned his standards, +tents, horses, arms, and treasure to an immense amount. The most +valuable booty was sent by Rustem to the king of Irn, and a +considerable portion of it was divided among the chiefs and the soldiers +of the army. He then mounted Rakush, and proceeded to the court of +Kai-khosru, where he was received with the highest honors and with +unbounded rejoicings. The king opened his jewel chamber, and gave him +the richest rubies, and vessels of gold filled with musk and aloes, and +also splendid garments; a hundred beautiful damsels wearing crowns and +ear-rings, a hundred horses, and a hundred camels. Having thus +terminated triumphantly the campaign, Rustem carried with him to Zbul +the blessings and admiration of his country. + + + +AKWN DW + + And now we come to Akwn Dw, + Whom Rustem next in combat slew. + +One day as Kai-khosru was sitting in his beautiful garden, abounding in +roses and the balmy luxuriance of spring, surrounded by his warriors, +and enjoying the pleasures of the banquet with music and singing, a +peasant approached, and informed him of a most mysterious apparition. A +wild ass, he said, had come in from the neighboring forest; it had at +least the external appearance of a wild ass, but possessed such +supernatural strength, that it had rushed among the horses in the royal +stables with the ferocity of a lion or a demon, doing extensive injury, +and in fact appeared to be an evil spirit! Kai-khosru felt assured that +it was something more than it seemed to be, and looked round among his +warriors to know what should be done. It was soon found that Rustem was +the only person capable of giving effectual assistance in this +emergency, and accordingly a message was forwarded to request his +services. The champion instantly complied, and it was not long before he +occupied himself upon the important enterprise. Guided by the peasant, +he proceeded in the first place towards the spot where the mysterious +animal had been seen; but it was not till the fourth day of his search +that he fell in with him, and then, being anxious to secure him alive, +and send him as a trophy to Kai-khosru, he threw his kamund; but it was +in vain: the wild ass in a moment vanished out of sight! From this +circumstance Rustem observed, "This can be no other than Akwn Dw, and +my weapon must now be either dagger or sword." The next time the wild +ass appeared he pursued him with his drawn sword: but on lifting it up +to strike, nothing was to be seen. He tried again, when he came near +him, both spear and arrow: still the animal vanished, disappointing his +blow; and thus three days and nights he continued fighting, as it were +against a shadow. Wearied at length with his exertions, he dismounted, +and leading Rakush to a green spot near a limpid fountain or rivulet of +spring water, allowed him to graze, and then went to sleep. Akwn Dw +seeing from a distance that Rustem had fallen asleep, rushed towards him +like a whirlwind, and rapidly digging up the ground on every side of +him, took up the plot of ground and the champion together, placed them +upon his head, and walked away with them. Rustem being awakened with the +motion, he was thus addressed by the giant-demon:-- + + "Warrior! now no longer free! + Tell me what thy wish may be; + Shall I plunge thee in the sea, + Or leave thee on the mountain drear, + None to give thee succour, near? + Tell thy wish to me!" + +Rustem, thus deplorably in the power of the demon, began to consider +what was best to be done, and recollecting that it was customary with +that supernatural race to act by the rule of contraries, in opposition +to an expressed desire, said in reply, for he knew that if he was thrown +into the sea there would be a good chance of escape:-- + + "O, plunge me not in the roaring sea, + The maw of a fish is no home for me; + But cast me forth on the mountain; there + Is the lion's haunt and the tiger's lair; + And for them I shall be a morsel of food, + They will eat my flesh and drink my blood; + But my bones will be left, to show the place + Where this form was devoured by the feline race; + Yes, something will then remain of me, + Whilst nothing escapes from the roaring sea!" + +Akwn Dw having heard this particular desire of Rustem, determined at +once to thwart him, and for this purpose he raised him up with his +hands, and flung him from his lofty position headlong into the deep and +roaring ocean. Down he fell, and a crocodile speedily darted upon him +with the eager intention of devouring him alive; but Rustem drew his +sword with alacrity, and severed the monster's head from his body. +Another came, and was put to death in the same manner, and the water was +crimsoned with blood. At last he succeeded in swimming safely on shore, +and instantly returned thanks to Heaven for the signal protection he had +experienced. + + Breasting the wave, with fearless skill + He used his glittering brand; + And glorious and triumphant still, + He quickly reached the strand. + +He then moved towards the fountain where he had left Rakush; but, to his +great alarm and vexation his matchless horse was not there. He wandered +about for some time, and in the end found him among a herd of horses +belonging to Afrsiyb. Having first caught him, and resumed his seat in +the saddle, he resolved upon capturing and driving away the whole herd, +and conveying them to Kai-khosru. He was carrying into effect this +resolution when the noise awoke the keepers specially employed by +Afrsiyb, and they, indignant at this outrageous proceeding, called +together a strong party to pursue the aggressor. When they had nearly +reached him, he turned boldly round, and said aloud:--"I am Rustem, the +descendant of Sm. I have conquered Afrsiyb in battle, and after that +dost thou presume to oppose me?" Hearing this, the keepers of the Tartar +stud instantly turned their backs, and ran away. + +It so happened that at this period Afrsiyb paid his annual visit to +his nursery of horses, and on his coming to the meadows in which they +were kept, neither horses nor keepers were to be seen. In a short time, +however, he was informed by those who had returned from the pursuit, +that Rustem was the person who had carried off the herd, and upon +hearing of this outrage, he proceeded with his troops at once to attack +him. Impatient at the indignity, he approached Rustem with great fury, +but was presently compelled to fly to save his life, and thus allow his +herd of favorite steeds, together with four elephants, to be placed in +the possession of Kai-khosru. Rustem then returned to the meadows and +the fountain near the habitation of Akwn Dw; and there he again met +the demon, who thus accosted him:-- + + "What! art thou then aroused from death's dark sleep? + Hast thou escaped the monsters of the deep? + And dost thou seek upon the dusty plain + To struggle with a demon's power again? + Of flint, or brass, or iron is thy form? + Or canst thou, like the demons, raise the dreadful battle storm?" + +Rustem, hearing this taunt from the tongue of Akwn Dw, prepared for +fight, and threw his kamund with such precision and force, that the +demon was entangled in it, and then he struck him such a mighty blow +with his sword, that it severed the head from the body. The severed head +of the unclean monster he transmitted as a trophy to Kai-khosru, by +whom it was regarded with amazement, on account of its hideous +expression and its vast size. After this extraordinary feat, Rustem paid +his respects to the king, and was received as usual with distinguished +honor and affection; and having enjoyed the magnificent hospitality of +the court for some time, he returned to Zbulistn, accompanied part of +the way by Kai-khosru himself and a crowd of valiant warriors, ever +anxious to acknowledge his superior worth and prodigious strength. + + + +THE STORY OF BYZUN AND MANJEH[49] + +One day the people of Armn petitioned Kai-khosru to remove from them a +grievous calamity. The country they inhabited was overrun with herds of +wild boars, which not only destroyed the produce of their fields, but +the fruit and flowers in their orchards and gardens, and so extreme was +the ferocity of the animals that it was dangerous to go abroad; they +therefore solicited protection from this disastrous visitation, and +hoped for relief. The king was at the time enjoying himself amidst his +warriors at a banquet, drinking wine, and listening to music and the +songs of bewitching damsels. + + The glance of beauty, and the charm + Of heavenly sounds, so soft and thrilling, + And ruby wine, must ever warm + The heart, with love and rapture filling. + Can aught more sweet, more genial prove, + Than melting music, wine, and love? + +The moment he was made acquainted with the grievances endured by the +Armnians, he referred the matter to the consideration of his +counsellors and nobles, in order that a remedy might be immediately +applied. Byzun, when he heard what was required, and had learned the +disposition of the king, rose up at once with all the enthusiasm of +youth, and offered to undertake the extermination of the wild boars +himself. But Gw objected to so great a hazard, for he was too young, he +said; a hero of greater experience being necessary for such an arduous +enterprise. Byzun, however, was not to be rejected on this account, and +observed, that though young, he was mature in judgment and discretion, +and he relied on the liberal decision of the king, who at length +permitted him to go, but he was to be accompanied by the veteran warrior +Girgn. Accordingly Byzun and Girgn set off on the perilous expedition; +and after a journey of several days arrived at the place situated +between Irn and Trn, where the wild boars were the most destructive. +In a short time a great number were hunted down and killed, and Byzun, +utterly to destroy the sustenance of the depredators, set fire to the +forest, and reduced the whole of the cultivation to ashes. His exertions +were, in short, entirely successful, and the country was thus freed from +the visitation which had occasioned so much distress and ruin. To give +incontestable proof of this exploit, he cut off the heads of all the +wild boars, and took out the tusks, to send to Kai-khosru. When Girgn +had witnessed the intrepidity and boldness of Byzun, and found him +determined to send the evidence of his bravery to Kai-khosru, he became +envious of the youth's success, and anticipated by comparison the ruin +of his own name and the gratification of his foes. He therefore +attempted to dissuade him from sending the trophies to the king, and +having failed, he resolved upon getting him out of the way. To effect +this purpose he worked upon the feelings and the passions of Byzun with +consummate art, and whilst his victim was warm with wine, praised him +beyond all the warriors of the age. He then told him he had heard that +at no great distance from them there was a beautiful place, a garden of +perpetual spring, which was visited every vernal season by Manjeh, the +lovely daughter of Afrsiyb. + + "It is a spot beyond imagination + Delightful to the heart, where roses bloom, + And sparkling fountains murmur--where the earth + Is rich with many-colored flowers; and musk + Floats on the gentle breezes, hyacinths + And lilies add their perfume--golden fruits + Weigh down the branches of the lofty trees, + The glittering pheasant moves in stately pomp, + The bulbul warbles from the cypress bough, + And love-inspiring damsels may be seen + O'er hill and dale, their lips all winning smiles, + Their cheeks like roses--in their sleepy eyes + Delicious languor dwelling. Over them + Presides the daughter of Afrsiyb, + The beautiful Manjeh; should we go, + ('Tis but a little distance), and encamp + Among the lovely groups--in that retreat + Which blooms like Paradise--we may secure + A bevy of fair virgins for the king!" + +Byzun was excited by this description; and impatient to realize what it +promised, repaired without delay, accompanied by Girgn, to the romantic +retirement of the princess. They approached so close to the summer-tent +in which she dwelt that she had a full view of Byzun, and immediately +becoming deeply enamoured of his person despatched a confidential +domestic, her nurse, to inquire who he was, and from whence he came. + + "Go, and beneath that cypress tree, + Where now he sits so gracefully, + Ask him his name, that radiant moon, + And he may grant another boon! + Perchance he may to me impart + The secret wishes of his heart! + Tell him he must, and further say, + That I have lived here many a day; + That every year, whilst spring discloses + The fragrant breath of budding roses, + I pass my time in rural pleasure; + But never--never such a treasure, + A mortal of such perfect mould, + Did these admiring eyes behold! + Never, since it has been my lot + To dwell in this sequestered spot, + A youth by nature so designed + To soothe a love-lorn damsel's mind! + His wondrous looks my bosom thrill + Can Saiwush be living still?" + +The nurse communicated faithfully the message of Manjeh, and Byzun's +countenance glowed with delight when he heard it. "Tell thy fair +mistress," he said in reply, "that I am not Saiwush, but the son of +Gw. I came from Irn, with the express permission of the king, to +exterminate a terrible and destructive herd of wild boars in this +neighborhood; and I have cut off their heads, and torn out their tusks +to be sent to Kai-khosru, that the king and his warriors may fully +appreciate the exploit I have performed. But having heard afterwards of +thy mistress's beauty and attractions, home and my father were +forgotten, and I have preferred following my own desires by coming +hither. If thou wilt therefore forward my views; if thou wilt become my +friend by introducing me to thy mistress, who is possessed of such +matchless charms, these precious gems are thine and this coronet of +gold. Perhaps the daughter of Afrsiyb may be induced to listen to my +suit." The nurse was not long in making known the sentiments of the +stranger, and Manjeh was equally prompt in expressing her consent. The +message was full of ardor and affection. + + "O gallant youth, no farther roam, + This summer-tent shall be thy home; + Then will the clouds of grief depart + From this enamoured, anxious heart. + For thee I live--thou art the light + Which makes my future fortune bright. + Should arrows pour like showers of rain + Upon my head--'twould be in vain; + Nothing can ever injure me, + Blessed with thy love--possessed of thee!" + +Byzun therefore proceeded unobserved to the tent of the princess, who on +meeting and receiving him, pressed him to her bosom; and taking off his +Kaini girdle, that he might be more at his ease, asked him to sit down +and relate the particulars of his enterprise among the wild boars of the +forest. Having done so, he added that he had left Girgn behind him. + + "Enraptured, and impatient to survey + Thy charms, I brook'd no pause upon the way." + +He was immediately perfumed with musk and rose-water, and refreshments +of every kind were set before him; musicians played their sweetest airs, +and dark-eyed damsels waited upon him. The walls of the tent were +gorgeously adorned with amber, and gold, and rubies; and the sparkling +old wine was drunk out of crystal goblets. The feast of joy lasted three +nights and three days, Byzun and Manjeh enjoying the precious moments +with unspeakable rapture. Overcome with wine and the felicity of the +scene, he at length sunk into repose, and on the fourth day came the +time of departure; but the princess, unable to relinquish the society of +her lover, ordered a narcotic draught to be administered to him, and +whilst he continued in a state of slumber and insensibility, he was +conveyed secretly and in disguise into Trn. He was taken even to the +palace of Afrsiyb, unknown to all but to the emissaries and domestics +of the princess, and there he awoke from the trance into which he had +been thrown, and found himself clasped in the arms of his idol. +Considering, on coming to his senses, that he had been betrayed by some +witchery, he made an attempt to get out of the seclusion: above all, he +was apprehensive of a fatal termination to the adventure; but Manjeh's +blandishments induced him to remain, and for some time he was contented +to be immersed in continual enjoyment--such pleasure as arises from the +social banquet and the attractions of a fascinating woman. + + "Grieve not my love--be not so sad, + 'Tis now the season to be glad; + There is a time for war and strife, + A time to soothe the ills of life. + Drink of the cup which yields delight, + The ruby glitters in thy sight; + Steep not thy heart in fruitless care, + But in the wine-flask sparkling there." + +At length, however, the love of the princess for a Persian youth was +discovered, and the keepers and guards of the palace were in the +greatest terror, expecting the most signal punishment for their neglect +or treachery. Dreadful indeed was the rage of the king when he was first +told the tidings; he trembled like a reed in the wind, and the color +fled from his cheeks. Groaning, he exclaimed:-- + + "A daughter, even from a royal stock, + Is ever a misfortune--hast thou one? + The grave will be thy fittest son-in-law! + Rejoice not in the wisdom of a daughter; + Who ever finds a daughter good and virtuous? + Who ever looks on woman-kind for aught + Save wickedness and folly? Hence how few + Ever enjoy the bliss of Paradise: + Such the sad destiny of erring woman!" + +Afrsiyb consulted the nobles of his household upon the measures to be +pursued on this occasion, and Gerswaz was in consequence deputed to +secure Byzun, and put him to death. The guilty retreat was first +surrounded by troops, and then Gerswaz entered the private apartments, +and with surprise and indignation saw Byzun in all his glory, Manjeh at +his side, his lips stained with wine, his face full of mirth and +gladness, and encircled by the damsels of the shubistn. He accosted him +in severe terms, and was promptly answered by Byzun, who, drawing his +sword, gave his name and family, and declared that if any violence or +insult was offered, he would slay every man that came before him with +hostile intentions. Gerswaz, on hearing this, thought it prudent to +change his plan, and conduct him to Afrsiyb, and he was permitted to +do so on the promise of pardon for the alleged offence. When brought +before Afrsiyb, he was assailed with further opprobrium, and called a +dog and a wicked remorseless demon. + + "Thou caitiff wretch, of monstrous birth, + Allied to hell, and not of earth!" + +But he thus answered the king:-- + + "Listen awhile, if justice be thy aim, + And thou wilt find me guiltless. I was sent + From Persia to destroy herds of wild boars, + Which laid the country waste. That labour done, + I lost my way, and weary with the toil, + Weary with wandering in a wildering maze, + Haply reposed beneath a shady cypress; + Thither a Peri came, and whilst I slept, + Lifted me from the ground, and quick as thought + Conveyed me to a summer-tent, where dwelt + A princess of incomparable beauty. + From thence, by hands unknown, I was removed, + Still slumbering in a litter--still unconscious; + And when I woke, I found myself reclining + In a retired pavilion of thy palace, + Attended by that soul-entrancing beauty! + My heart was filled with sorrow, and I shed + Showers of vain tears, and desolate I sate, + Thinking of Persia, with no power to fly + From my imprisonment, though soft and kind, + Being the victim of a sorcerer's art. + Yes, I am guiltless, and Manjeh too, + Both by some magic influence pursued, + And led away against our will or choice!" + +Afrsiyb listened to this speech with distrust, and hesitated not to +charge him with falsehood and cowardice. Byzun's indignation was roused +by this insulting accusation; and he said to him aloud, "Cowardice, +what! cowardice! I have encountered the tusks of the formidable wild +boar and the claws of the raging lion. I have met the bravest in battle +with sword and arrow; and if it be thy desire to witness the strength of +my arm, give me but a horse and a battle-axe, and marshal twice five +hundred Trnians against me, and not a man of them shall survive the +contest. If this be not thy pleasure, do thy worst, but remember my +blood will be avenged. Thou knowest the power of Rustem!" The mention of +Rustem's name renewed all the deep feelings of resentment and animosity +in the mind of Afrsiyb, who, resolved upon the immediate execution of +his purpose, commanded Gerswaz to bind the youth, and put an end to his +life on the gallows tree. The good old man Prn-wsah happened to be +passing by the place to which Byzun had just been conveyed to suffer +death; and seeing a great concourse of people, and a lofty dar erected, +from which hung a noose, he inquired for whom it was intended. Gerswaz +heard the question, and replied that it was for a Persian, an enemy of +Trn, a son of Gw, and related to Rustem. Prn straightway rode up to +the youth, who was standing in deep affliction, almost naked, and with +his hands bound behind his back, and he said to him:-- + + "Why didst thou quit thy country, why come hither, + Why choose the road to an untimely grave?" + +Upon this Byzun told him his whole story, and the treachery of Girgn. +Prn wept at the recital, and remembering the circumstances under which +he had encountered Gw, and how he had been himself delivered from death +by the interposition of Ferangs, he requested the execution to be +stayed until he had seen the king, which was accordingly done. The king +received him with honor, praised his wisdom and prudence, and +conjecturing from his manner that something was heavy at his heart, +expressed his readiness to grant any favor which he might have come to +solicit. Prn said: "Then, my only desire is this: do not put Byzun to +death; do not repeat the tragedy of Saiwush, and again consign Trn +and Irn to all the horrors of war and desolation. Remember how I warned +thee against taking the life of that young prince; but malignant and +evil advisers exerted their influence, were triumphant, and brought upon +thee and thy kingdom the vengeance of Ks, of Rustem, and all the +warriors of the Persian empire. The swords now sleeping in their +scabbards are ready to flash forth again, for assuredly if the blood of +Byzun be spilt the land will be depopulated by fire and sword. The honor +of a king is sacred; when that is lost, all is lost." But Afrsiyb +replied: "I fear not the thousands that can be brought against me. Byzun +has committed an offence which can never be pardoned; it covers me with +shame, and I shall be universally despised if I suffer him to live. +Death were better for me than life in disgrace. He must die."--"That is +not necessary," rejoined Prn, "let him be imprisoned in a deep cavern; +he will never be heard of more, and then thou canst not be accused of +having shed his blood." After some deliberation, Afrsiyb altered his +determination, and commanded Gerswaz to bind the youth with chains from +head to foot, and hang him within a deep pit with his head downwards, +that he might never see sun or moon again; and he sentenced Manjeh to +share the same fate: and to make their death more sure, he ordered the +enormous fragment of rock which Akwn Dw had dragged out of the ocean +and flung upon the plain of Tartary, to be placed over the mouth of the +pit. In respect to Byzun, Gerswaz did as he was commanded; but the +lamentations in the shubistn were so loud and distressing upon Manjeh +being sentenced to the same punishment, that the tyrant was induced to +change her doom, allowing her to dwell near the pit, but forbidding, by +proclamation, anyone going to her or supplying her with food. Gerswaz +conducted her to the place; and stripping her of her rich garments and +jewels, left her bareheaded and barefooted, weeping torrents of tears. + + He left her--the unhappy maid; + Her head upon the earth was laid, + In bitterness of grief, and lone, + Beside that dreadful demon-stone. + +There happened, however, to be a fissure in the huge rock that covered +the mouth of the pit, which allowed of Byzun's voice being heard, and +bread and water was let down to him, so that they had the melancholy +satisfaction of hearing each other's woes. + +The story now relates to Girgn, who finding after several days that +Byzun had not returned, began to repent of his treachery; but what is +the advantage of such repentance? it is like the smoke that rises from a +conflagration. + + When flames have done their worst, thick clouds arise + Of lurid smoke, which useless mount the skies. + +He sought everywhere for him; went to the romantic retreat where the +daughter of Afrsiyb resided; but the place was deserted, nothing was +to be seen, and nothing to be heard. At length he saw Byzun's horse +astray, and securing him with his kamund, thought it useless to remain +in Trn, and therefore proceeded in sorrow back to Irn. Gw, finding +that his son had not returned with him from Armn, was frantic with +grief; he tore his garments and his hair, and threw ashes over his head; +and seeing the horse his son had ridden, caressed it in the fondest +manner, demanding from Girgn a full account of what he knew of his +fate. "O Heaven forbid," said he, "that my son should have fallen into +the power of the merciless demons!" Girgn could not safely confess the +truth, and therefore told a falsehood, in the hope of escaping from the +consequences of his own guilt. "When we arrived at Armn," said he, "we +entered a large forest, and cutting down the trees, set them on fire. We +then attacked the wild boars, which were found in vast numbers; and as +soon as they were all destroyed, left the place on our return. Sporting +all the way, we fell in with an elk, of a most beautiful and wonderful +form. It was like the Smrgh; it had hoofs of steel, and the head and +ears and tail of a horse. It was strong as a lion and fleet as the wind, +and came fiercely before us, yet seemed to be a thing of air. Byzun +threw his kamund over him; and when entangled in the noose, the animal +became furious and sprung away, dragging Byzun after him. Presently the +prospect was enveloped in smoke, the earth looked like the ocean, and +Byzun and the phantom-elk disappeared. I wandered about in search of my +companion, but found him not: his horse only remained. My heart was rent +with anguish, for it seemed to me that the furious elk must have been +the White Demon." But Gw was not to be deceived by this fabricated +tale; on the contrary, he felt convinced that treachery had been at +work, and in his rage seized Girgn by the beard, dragged him to and +fro, and inflicted on him two hundred strokes with a scourge. The +unhappy wretch, from the wounds he had received, fell senseless on the +ground. Gw then hastened to Kai-khosru to inform him of his +misfortune; and though the first resolve was to put the traitor to +death, the king was contented to load him with chains and cast him into +prison. The astrologers being now consulted, pronounced that Byzun was +still living, and Gw was consoled and cheered by the promptitude with +which the king despatched troops in every quarter in search of his son. + + "Weep no longer, warrior bold, + Thou shalt soon thy son behold. + In this Cup, this mirror bright, + All that's dark is brought to light; + All above and under ground, + All that's lost is quickly found." + Thus spake the monarch, and held up + Before his view that wondrous Cup + Which first to Jemshd's eye revealed + All that was in the world concealed. + And first before him lay exposed + All that the seven climes enclosed, + Whether in ocean or amid + The stars the secret things were hid, + Whether in rock or cavern placed, + In that bright Cup were clearly traced. + And now his eye Karugsr surveys, + The Cup the province wide displays. + He sees within that dismal cave + Byzun the good, the bold, the brave; + And sitting on that demon-stone + Lovely Manjeh sad and lone. + And now he smiles and looks on Gw, + And cries: "My prophecy was true. + Thy Byzun lives; no longer grieve, + I see him there, my words believe; + And though bound fast in fetters, he + Shall soon regain his liberty." + +Kai-khosru, thinking the services of Rustem requisite on this occasion, +dispatched Gw with an invitation to him, explaining the circumstance of +Byzun's capture. Rustem had made up his mind to continue in peace and +tranquillity at his Zbul principality, and not to be withdrawn again +from its comforts by any emergency; but the reported situation of his +near relative altered his purpose, and he hesitated not to give his best +aid to restore him to freedom. Gw rejoiced at this, and both repaired +without delay to the royal residence, where Khosru gratified the +champion with the most cordial welcome, placing him on a throne before +him. The king asked him what force he would require, and he replied that +he did not require any army; he preferred going in disguise as a +merchant. Accordingly the necessary materials were prepared; a thousand +camels were laden with jewels and brocades, and other merchandise, and a +thousand warriors were habited like camel-drivers. Girgn had prayed to +be released from his bonds, and by the intercession of Rustem was +allowed to be of the party; but his children were kept in prison as +hostages and security for his honorable conduct. When the champion, with +his kafila, arrived within the territory of the enemy, and approached +the spot where Byzun was imprisoned, a loud clamor arose that a caravan +of merchandise had come from Irn, such as was never seen before. The +tidings having reached the ear of Manjeh, she went immediately to +Rustem, and inquired whether the imprisonment of Byzun was yet known at +the Persian court? Rustem replied in anger: "I am a merchant employed in +traffic, what can I know of such things? Go away, I have no acquaintance +with either the king or his warriors." This answer overwhelmed Manjeh +with disappointment and grief, and she wept bitterly. Her tears began to +soften the heart of Rustem, and he said to her in a soothing voice:--"I +am not an inhabitant of the city in which the court is held, and on that +account I know nothing of these matters; but tell me the cause of thy +grief." Manjeh sighed deeply, and endeavored to avoid giving him any +reply, which increased the curiosity of the champion; but she at length +complied. She told him who she was, the daughter of Afrsiyb, the story +of her love, and the misfortunes of Byzun, and pointed out to him the +pit in which he was imprisoned and bound down with heavy chains. + + "For the sake of him has been my fall + From royal state, and bower, and hall, + And hence this pale and haggard face, + This saffron hue thy eye may trace, + Where bud of rose was wont to bloom, + But withered now and gone; + And I must sit in sorrow's gloom + Unsuccoured and alone." + +Rustem asked with deep interest if any food could be conveyed to him, +and she said that she had been accustomed to supply him with bread and +water through a fissure in the huge stone which covered the mouth of the +pit. Upon receiving this welcome information, Rustem brought a roasted +fowl, and inclosing in it his own seal-ring, gave it to Manjeh to take +to Byzun. The poor captive, on receiving it, inquired by whom such a +blessing could have been sent, and when she informed him that it had +been given to her by the chief of a caravan from Irn, who had +manifested great anxiety about him, his smiles spoke the joyous feelings +of his heart, for the name of Rustem was engraved on the ring. Manjeh +was surprised to see him smile, considering his melancholy situation, +and could not imagine the cause. "If thou wilt keep my secret," said he, +"I will tell thee the cause." "What!" she replied, "have I not devoted +my heart and soul to thee?--have I not sacrificed everything for thy +love, and is my fidelity now to be suspected? + + "Can I be faithless, then, to thee, + The choice of this fond heart of mine; + Why sought I bonds, when I was free, + But to be thine--forever thine?" + +"True, true! then hear me:--the chief of the caravan is Rustem, who has +undoubtedly come to release me from this dreadful pit. Go to him, and +concert with him the manner in which my deliverance may be soonest +effected." Manjeh accordingly went and communicated with the champion; +and it was agreed between them that she should light a large fire to +guide him on his way. He was prompt as well as valiant, and repaired in +the middle of the following night, accompanied by seven of his warriors, +directed by the blaze, to the place where Byzun was confined. The +neighborhood was infested by demons with long nails, and long hair on +their bodies like the hair of a goat, and horny feet, and with heads +like dogs, and the chief of them was the son of Akwn Dw. The father +having been slain by Rustem, the son nourished the hope of revenge, and +perpetually longed for an opportunity of meeting him in battle. Well +knowing that the champion was engaged in the enterprise to liberate +Byzun, he commanded his demons to give him intelligence of his approach. +His height was tremendous, his face was black, his mouth yawned like a +cavern, his eyes were fountains of blood, his teeth like those of a wild +boar, and the hair on his body like needles. The monster advanced, and +reproaching Rustem disdainfully for having slain Akwn Dw, and many +other warriors in the Trnian interest, pulled up a tree by the roots +and challenged him to combat. The struggle began, but the Demon +frequently escaped the fury of the champion by vanishing into air. At +length Rustem struck a fortunate blow, which cut the body of his +towering adversary in two. His path being now free from interruption, he +sped onward, and presently beheld the prodigious demon-stone which +covered the mouth of the pit, in which Byzun was imprisoned. + + And praying to the Almighty to infuse + Strength through his limbs, he raised it up, and flung + The ponderous mass of rock upon the plain, + Which shuddered to receive that magic load! + +The mouth of the cavern being thus exposed, Rustem applied himself to +the extrication of Byzun from his miserable condition, and letting down +his kamund, he had soon the pleasure of drawing up the unfortunate +captive, whom he embraced with great affection; and instantly stripped +off the chains with which he was bound. After mutual congratulations had +been exchanged, Rustem proposed that Byzun and Manjeh should go +immediately to Irn, whilst he and his companions in arms attacked the +palace of Afrsiyb; but though wasted as he was by long suffering, +Byzun could not on any consideration consent to avoid the perils of the +intended assault, and determined, at all hazards, to accompany his +deliverer. + + "Full well I know thy superhuman power + Needs no assistance from an arm like mine; + But grateful as I am for this great service, + I cannot leave thee now, and shrink from peril, + That would be baseness which I could not bear." + +It was on the same night that Rustem and Byzun, and seven of his +warriors, proceeded against that part of the palace in which the tyrant +slept. He first put to death the watchman, and also killed a great +number of the guard, and a loud voice presently resounded in the chamber +of the king:--"Awake from thy slumbers, Afrsiyb, Byzun has been freed +from his chains." Rustem now entered the royal palace, and openly +declaring his name, exclaimed:--"I am come, Afrsiyb, to destroy thee, +and Byzun is also here to do thee service for thy cruelty to him." The +death-note awoke the trembling Afrsiyb, and he rose up, and fled in +dismay. Rustem and his companions rushed into the inner apartments, and +captured all the blooming damsels of the shubistn, and all the jewels +and golden ornaments which fell in their way. The moon-faced beauties +were sent to Zbul; but the jewels and other valuable property were +reserved for the king. + +In the morning Afrsiyb hastily collected together his troops and +marched against Rustem, who, with Byzun and his thousand warriors, met +him on the plain prepared for battle. The champion challenged any one +who would come forward to single combat; but though frequently repeated, +no attention was paid to the call. At length Rustem said to +Afrsiyb:--"Art thou not ashamed to avoid a contest with so inferior +a force, a hundred thousand against one thousand? We two, and our +armies, have often met, and dost thou now shrink from the fight?" The +reproach had its effect, + + For the tyrant at once, and his heroes, began + Their attack like the demons of Mzindern. + +But the valor and the bravery of Rustem were so eminently shown, that he +overthrew thousands of the enemy. + + In the tempest of battle, disdaining all fear, + With his kamund, and khanjer, his garz, and shamshr, + How he bound, stabbed, and crushed, and dissevered the foe, + So mighty his arm, and so fatal his blow. + +And so dreadful was the carnage, that Afrsiyb, unable to resist his +victorious career, was compelled to seek safety in flight. + + The field was red with blood, the Tartar banners + Cast on the ground, and when, with grief, he saw + The face of Fortune turned, his cohorts slain, + He hurried back, and sought Trn again. + +Rustem having obtained another triumph, returned to Irn with the spoils +of his conquest, and was again honored with the smiles and rewards of +his sovereign. Manjeh was not forgotten; she, too, received a present +worthy of the virtue and fidelity she had displayed, and of the +magnanimity of her spirit; and the happy conclusion of the enterprise +was celebrated with festivity and rejoicing. + + + +BARZ, AND HIS CONFLICT WITH RUSTEM + +Afrsiyb after his defeat pursued his way in despair towards Chn and +M-chn, and on the road happened to fall in with a man of huge and +terrific stature. Amazed at the sight of so extraordinary a being, he +asked him who and what he was. "I am a villager," replied the stranger. +"And thy father?"--"I do not know my father. My mother has never +mentioned his name, and my birth is wrapped in mystery." Afrsiyb then +addressed him as follows:--"It is my misfortune to have a bitter and +invincible enemy, who has plunged me into the greatest distress. If he +could be subdued, there would be no impediment to my conquest of Irn; +and I feel assured that thou, apparently endued with such prodigious +strength, hast the power to master him. His name is Rustem." "What!" +rejoined Barz, "is all this concern and affliction about one man--about +one man only?" "Yes," answered Afrsiyb; "but that one man is equal to +a hundred strong men. Upon him neither sword, nor mace, nor javelin has +any effect. In battle he is like a mountain of steel." At this Barz +exclaimed in gamesome mood:--"A mountain of steel!--I can reduce to dust +a hundred mountains of steel!--What is a mountain of steel to me!" +Afrsiyb rejoiced to find such confidence in the stranger, and +instantly promised him his own daughter in marriage, and the monarchy of +Chn and M-chn, if he succeeded in destroying Rustem. Barz replied:-- + + "Thou art but a coward slave, + Thus a stranger's aid to crave. + And thy soldiers, what are they? + Heartless on the battle-day. + Thou, the prince of such a host! + What, alas! hast thou to boast? + Art thou not ashamed to wear + The regal crown that glitters there? + And dost thou not disgrace the throne + Thus to be awed, and crushed by one; + By one, whate'er his name or might, + Thus to be put to shameful flight!" + +Afrsiyb felt keenly the reproaches which he heard; but, nevertheless, +solicited the assistance of Barz, who declared that he would soon +overpower Rustem, and place the empire of Irn under the dominion of the +Tartar king. He would, he said, overflow the land of Persia with blood, +and take possession of the throne! The despot was intoxicated with +delight, and expecting his most sanguine wishes would be realized, made +him the costliest presents, consisting of gold and jewels, and horses, +and elephants, so that the besotted stranger thought himself the +greatest personage in all the world. But his mother, when she heard +these things, implored him to be cautious:-- + + "My son, these presents, though so rich and rare, + Will be thy winding-sheet; beware, beware! + They'll drive to madness thy poor giddy brain, + And thou wilt never be restored again. + Never; for wert thou bravest of the brave, + They only lead to an untimely grave. + Then give them back, nor such a doom provoke, + Beware of Rustem's host-destroying stroke. + Has he not conquered demons!--and, alone, + Afrsiyb's best warriors overthrown! + And canst thou equal them?--Alas! the day + That thy sweet life should thus be thrown away." + +Barz, however, was too much dazzled by the presents he had received, +and too vain of his own personal strength to attend to his mother's +advice. "Certainly," said he, "the disposal of our lives is in the hands +of the Almighty, and as certain it is that my strength is superior to +that of Rustem. Would it not then be cowardly to decline the contest +with him?" The mother still continued to dissuade him from the +enterprise, and assured him that Rustem was above all mankind +distinguished for the art, and skill, and dexterity, with which he +attacked his enemy, and defended himself; and that there was no chance +of his being overcome by a man entirely ignorant of the science of +fighting; but Barz remained unmoved: yet he told the king what his +mother had said; and Afrsiyb, in consequence, deemed it proper to +appoint two celebrated masters to instruct him in the use of the bow, +the sword, and the javelin, and also in wrestling and throwing the +noose. Every day, clothed in armor, he tried his skill and strength with +the warriors, and after ten days he was sufficiently accomplished to +overthrow eighteen of them at one time. Proud of the progress he had +made, he told the king that he would seize and bind eighteen of his +stoutest and most experienced teachers, and bring them before him, if he +wished, when all the assembly exclaimed:--"No doubt he is fully equal +to the task; + + "He does not seem of human birth, but wears + The aspect of the Evil One; and looks + Like Alberz mountain, clad in folds of mail; + Unwearied in the fight he conquers all." + +Afrsiyb's satisfaction was increased by this testimony to the merit of +Barz, and he heaped upon him further tokens of his good-will and +munificence. The vain, newly-made warrior was all exultation and +delight, and said impatiently:-- + + "Delays are ever dangerous--let us meet + The foe betimes, this Rustem and the king, + Kai-khosru. If we linger in a cause + Demanding instant action, prompt appliance, + And rapid execution, we are lost. + Advance, and I will soon lop off the heads + Of this belauded champion and his king, + And cast them, with the Persian crown and throne + Trophies of glory, at thy royal feet; + So that Trn alone shall rule the world." + +Speedily ten thousand experienced horsemen were selected and placed +under the command of Barz; and Hmn and Brmn were appointed to +accompany him; Afrsiyb himself intending to follow with the reserve. + +When the intelligence of this new expedition reached the court of +Kai-khosru, he was astonished, and could not conceive how, after so +signal a defeat and overthrow, Afrsiyb had the means of collecting +another army, and boldly invading his kingdom. To oppose this invasion, +however, he ordered Ts and Frburz, with twelve thousand horsemen, and +marched after them himself with a large army. As soon as Ts fell in +with the enemy the battle commenced, and lasted, with great carnage, a +whole day and night, and in the end Barz was victorious. The warriors +of the Persian force fled, and left Ts and Frburz alone on the field, +where they were encountered by the conqueror, taken prisoners, and +bound, and placed in the charge of Hmn. The tidings of the result of +this conflict were received with as much rejoicing by Afrsiyb, as with +sorrow and consternation by Kai-khosru. And now the emergency, on the +Persian side, demanded the assistance of Rustem, whose indignation was +roused, and who determined on revenge for the insult that had been +given. He took with him Gustahem, the brother of Ts, and at midnight +thought he had come to the tent of Barz, but it proved to be the +pavilion of Afrsiyb, who was seen seated on his throne, with Barz on +his right hand, and Prn-wsah on his left, and Ts and Frburz +standing in chains before them. The king said to the captive warriors: +"To-morrow you shall both be put to death in the manner I slew +Saiwush." He then retired. Meanwhile Rustem returned thanks to Heaven +that his friends were still alive, and requesting Gustahem to follow +cautiously, he waited awhile for a fit opportunity, till the watchman +was off his guard, and then killing him, he and Gustahem took up and +conveyed the two prisoners to a short distance, where they knocked off +their chains, and then conducted them back to Kai-khosru. + +When Afrsiyb arose from sleep, he found his warriors in close and +earnest conversation, and was told that a champion from Persia had come +and killed the watchman, and carried off the prisoners. Prn exclaimed: +"Then assuredly that champion is Rustem, and no other." Afrsiyb +writhed with anger and mortification at this intelligence, and sending +for Barz, despatched his army to attack the enemy, and challenge Rustem +to single combat. Rustem was with the Persian troops, and, answering the +summons, said: "Young man, if thou art calling for Rustem, behold I come +in his place to lay thee prostrate on the earth." "Ah!" rejoined Barz, +"and why this threat? It is true I am but of tender years, whilst thou +art aged and experienced. But if thou art fire, I am water, and able to +quench thy flames." Saying this he wielded his bow, and fixed the arrow +in its notch, and commenced the strife. Rustem also engaged with bow and +arrows; and then they each had recourse to their maces, which from +repeated strokes were soon bent as crooked as their bows, and they were +themselves nearly exhausted. Their next encounter was by wrestling, and +dreadful were the wrenches and grasps they received from each other. +Barz finding no advantage from this struggle, raised his mace, and +struck Rustem such a prodigious blow on the head, that the champion +thought a whole mountain had fallen upon him. One arm was disabled, but +though the wound was desperate, Rustem had the address to conceal its +effects, and Barz wondered that he had made apparently so little +impression on his antagonist. "Thou art," said he, "a surprising +warrior, and seemingly invulnerable. Had I struck such a blow on a +mountain, it would have been broken into a thousand fragments, and yet +it makes no impression upon thee. Heaven forbid!" he continued to +himself, "that I should ever receive so bewildering a stroke upon my own +head!" Rustem having successfully concealed the anguish of his wound, +artfully observed that it would be better to finish the combat on the +following day, to which Barz readily agreed, and then they both parted. + +Barz declared to Afrsiyb that his extraordinary vigor and strength +had been of no account, for both his antagonist and his horse appeared +to be composed of materials as hard as flint. Every blow was without +effect; and "Heaven only knows," added he, "what may be the result of +to-morrow's conflict." On the other hand Rustem showed his lacerated arm +to Khosru, and said: "I have escaped from him; but who else is there +now to meet him, and finish the struggle? Fermurz, my son, cannot +fulfil my promise with Barz, as he, alas! is fighting in Hindstn. Let +me, however, call him hither, and in the meanwhile, on some pretext or +other, delay the engagement." The king, in great sorrow and affliction, +sanctioned his departure, and then said to his warriors: "I will fight +this Barz myself to-morrow;" but Gdarz would not consent to it, +saying: "As long as we live, the king must not be exposed to such +hazard. Gw and Byzun, and the other chiefs, must first successively +encounter the enemy." + +When Rustem reached his tent, he told his brother Zra to get ready a +litter, that he might proceed to Sstn for the purpose of obtaining a +remedy for his wound from the Smrgh. Pain and grief kept him awake all +night, and he prayed incessantly to the Supreme Being. In the morning +early, Zra brought him intelligence of the welcome arrival of +Fermurz, which gladdened his heart; and as the youth had undergone +great fatigue on his long journey, Rustem requested him to repose +awhile, and he himself, freed from anxiety, also sought relief in a +sound sleep. + +A few hours afterwards both armies were again drawn up, and Barz, like +a mad elephant, full of confidence and pride, rode forward to resume the +combat; whilst Rustem gave instructions to Fermurz how he was to act. +He attired him in his own armor, supplied him with his own weapons, and +mounted him on Rakush, and told him to represent himself to Barz as the +warrior who had engaged him the day before. Accordingly Fermurz entered +the middle space, clothed in his father's mail, raised his bow, ready +bent, and shot an arrow at Barz, crying: "Behold thy adversary! I am +the man come to try thy strength again. Advance!" To this Barz replied: +"Why this hilarity, and great flow of spirits? Art thou reckless of thy +life?" "In the eyes of warriors," said Fermurz, "the field of fight is +the mansion of pleasure. After I yesterday parted from thee I drank wine +with my companions, and the impression of delight still remains on my +heart. + + "Wine exhilarates the soul, + Makes the eye with pleasure roll; + Lightens up the darkest mien, + Fills with joy the dullest scene; + Hence it is I meet thee now + With a smile upon my brow," + +Barz, however, thought that the voice and action of his adversary were +not the same as he had heard and seen the preceding day, although there +was no difference in the armor or the horse, and therefore he said: +"Perhaps the cavalier whom I encountered yesterday is wounded or dead, +that thou hast mounted his charger, and attired thyself in his mail." +"Indeed," rejoined Fermurz, "perhaps thou hast lost thy wits; I am +certainly the person who engaged thee yesterday, and almost extinguished +thee; and with God's favor thou shalt be a dead man to-day." "What is +thy name?" "My name is Rustem, descended from a race of warriors, and my +pleasure consists in contending with the lions of battle, and shedding +the blood of heroes." Thus saying, Fermurz rushed on his adversary, +struck him several blows with his battle-axe, and drawing his noose from +the saddle-strap with the quickness of lightning, secured his prize. He +might have put an end to his existence in a moment, but preferred taking +him alive, and showing him as a captive. Afrsiyb seeing the perilous +condition of Barz, came up with his whole army to his rescue; but +Kai-khosru was equally on the alert, accompanied by Rustem, who, +advancing to the support of Fermurz, threw another noose round the neck +of the already-captured Barz, to prevent the possibility of his escape. +Both armies now engaged, and the Trnians made many desperate efforts +to recover their gigantic leader, but all their manoeuvres were +fruitless. The struggle continued fiercely, and with great slaughter, +till it was dark, and then ceased; the two kings returned back to the +respective positions they had taken up before the conflict took place. +The Trnians were in the deepest grief for the loss of Barz; and +Prn-wsah having recommended an immediate retreat across the Jihn, +Afrsiyb followed his counsel, and precipitately quitted Persia with +all his troops. + +Kai-khosru ordered a grand banquet on the occasion of the victory; and +when Barz was brought before him, he commanded his immediate execution; +but Rustem, seeing that he was very young, and thinking that he had not +yet been corrupted and debased by the savage example of the Trnians, +requested that he might be spared, and given to him to send into Sstn; +and his request was promptly complied with. + +When the mother of Barz, whose name was Shh-r, heard that her son was +a prisoner, she wept bitterly, and hastened to Irn, and from thence to +Sstn. There happened to be in Rustem's employ a singing-girl,[50] an +old acquaintance of hers, to whom she was much attached, and to whom she +made large presents, calling her by the most endearing epithets, in +order that she might be brought to serve her in the important matter she +had in contemplation. Her object was soon explained, and the +preliminaries at once adjusted, and by the hands of this singing-girl +she secretly sent some food to Barz, in which she concealed a ring, to +apprise him of her being near him. On finding the ring, he asked who had +supplied him with the food, and her answer was: "A woman recently +arrived from M-chn." This was to him delightful intelligence, and he +could not help exclaiming, "That woman is my mother, I am grateful for +thy services, but another time bring me, if thou canst, a large file, +that I may be able to free myself from these chains." The singing-girl +promised her assistance; and having told Shh-r what her son required, +conveyed to him a file, and resolved to accompany him in his flight. +Barz then requested that three fleet horses might be provided and kept +ready under the walls, at a short distance; and this being also done, in +the night, he and his mother, and the singing-girl, effected their +escape, and pursued their course towards Trn. + +It so happened that Rustem was at this time in progress between Irn and +Sstn, hunting for his own pleasure the elk or wild ass, and he +accidentally fell in with the refugees, who made an attempt to avoid +him, but, unable to effect their purpose, thought proper to oppose him +with all their might, and a sharp contest ensued. Both parties becoming +fatigued, they rested awhile, when Rustem asked Barz how he had +obtained his liberty. "The Almighty freed me from the bondage I +endured." "And who are these two women?" "One of them," replied Barz, +"is my mother, and that is a singing-girl of thy own house." Rustem went +aside, and called for breakfast, and thinking in his own mind that it +would be expedient to poison Barz, mixed up a deleterious substance in +some food, and sent it to him to eat. He was just going to take it, when +his mother cried, "My son, beware!" and he drew his hand from the dish. +But the singing-girl did eat part of it, and died on the spot. Upon +witnessing this appalling scene, Barz sprang forward with indignation, +and reproached Rustem for his treachery in the severest terms. + + "Old man! hast thou mid warrior-chiefs a place, + And dost thou practice that which brings disgrace? + Hast thou no fear of a degraded name, + No fear of lasting obloquy and shame? + O, thou canst have no hope in God, when thou + Stand'st thus defiled--dishonoured, false, as now; + Unfair, perfidious, art thou too, in strife, + By any pretext thou wouldst take my life!" + +He then in a menacing attitude exclaimed: "If thou art a man, rise and +fight!" Rustem felt ashamed on being thus detected, and rose up frowning +in scorn. They met, brandishing their battle-axes, and looking as black +as the clouds of night. They then dismounted to wrestle, and fastening +the bridles, each to his own girdle, furiously grasped each other's +loins and limbs, straining and struggling for the mastery. Whilst they +were thus engaged, their horses betrayed equal animosity, and attacked +each other with great violence. Rakush bit and kicked Barz's steed so +severely that he strove to gallop away, dragging his master, who was at +the same time under the excruciating grip of Rustem. "O, release me for +a moment till I am disentangled from my horse," exclaimed Barz; but +Rustem heeding him not, now pressed him down beneath him, and was +preparing to give him the finishing blow by cutting off his head, when +the mother seeing the fatal moment approach, shrieked, and cried out, +"Forbear, Rustem! this youth is the son of Sohrb, and thy own +grandchild! Forbear, and bring not on thyself the devouring anguish +which followed the death of his unhappy father. + + "Think of Sohrb! take not the precious life + Of sire and son--unnatural is the strife; + Restrain, for mercy's sake, that furious mood, + And pause before thou shedd'st a kinsman's blood." + +"Ah!" rejoined Rustem, "can that be true?" upon which Shh-r showed him +Sohrb's brilliant finger-ring and he was satisfied. He then pressed +Barz warmly and affectionately to his breast, and kissed his head and +eyes, and took him along with him to Sstn, where he placed him in a +station of honor, and introduced him to his great-grandfather Zl, who +received and caressed him with becoming tenderness and regard. + + + +SSEN AND AFRSIYB + +Soon after Afrsiyb had returned defeated into Trn, grievously +lamenting the misfortune which had deprived him of the assistance of +Barz, a woman named Ssen, deeply versed in magic and sorcery, came to +him, and promised by her potent art to put him in the way of destroying +Rustem and his whole family. + + "Fighting disappointment brings, + Sword and mace are useless things; + If thou wouldst a conqueror be, + Monarch! put thy trust in me; + Soon the mighty chief shall bleed-- + Spells and charms will do the deed!" + +Afrsiyb at first refused to avail himself of her power, but was +presently induced, by a manifestation of her skill, to consent to what +she proposed. She required that a distinguished warrior should be sent +along with her, furnished with abundance of treasure, honorary tokens +and presents, so that none might be aware that she was employed on the +occasion. Afrsiyb appointed Plsam, duly supplied with the requisites, +and the warrior and the sorceress set off on their journey, people being +stationed conveniently on the road to hasten the first tidings of their +success to the king. Their course was towards Sstn, and arriving at a +fort, they took possession of a commodious residence, in which they +placed the wealth and property they had brought, and, establishing a +house of entertainment, all travellers who passed that way were +hospitably and sumptuously regaled by them. + + For sparkling wine, and viands rare, + And mellow fruit, abounded there. + +It is recorded that Rustem had invited to a magnificent feast at his +palace in Sstn a large company of the most celebrated heroes of the +kingdom, and amongst them happened to be Ts, whom the king had deputed +to the champion on some important state affairs. Gdarz was also +present; and between him and Ts ever hostile to each other, a dispute +as usual took place. The latter, always boasting of his ancestry, +reviled the old warrior and said, "I am the son of Nauder, and the +grandson of Feridn, whilst thou art but the son of Kavah, the +blacksmith;--why then dost thou put thyself on a footing with me?" +Gdarz, in reply, poured upon him reproaches equally irritating, accused +him of ignorance and folly, and roused the anger of the prince to such a +degree that he drew his dagger to punish the offender, when Rehm +started up and prevented the intended bloodshed. This interposition +increased his rage, and in serious dudgeon he retired from the banquet, +and set off on his return to Irn. + +Rustem was not present at the time, but when he heard of the altercation +and the result of it, he was very angry, saying that Gdarz was a +relation of the family, and Ts his guest, and therefore wrong had been +done, since a guest ought always to be protected. "A guest," he said, +"ought to be held as sacred as the king, and it is the custom of heroes +to treat a guest with the most scrupulous respect and consideration-- + + "For a guest is the king of the feast." + +He then requested Gdarz to go after Ts, and by fair words and proper +excuses bring him back to his festive board. Accordingly Gdarz +departed. No sooner had he gone than Gw rose up, and said, "Ts is +little better than a madman, and my father of a hasty temper; I should +therefore wish to follow, to prevent the possibility of further +disagreement." To this Rustem consented. Byzun was now also anxious to +go, and he too got permission. When all the three had departed, Rustem +began to be apprehensive that something unpleasant would occur, and +thought it prudent to send Fermurz to preserve the peace. Zl then came +forward, and thinking that Ts, the descendant of the Kais and his +revered guest, might not be easily prevailed upon to return either by +Gdarz, Gw, Byzun, or Fermurz, resolved to go himself and soothe the +temper which had been so injudiciously and rudely ruffled at the +banquet. + +When Ts, on his journey from Rustem's palace, approached the residence +of Ssen the sorceress, he beheld numerous cooks and confectioners on +every side, preparing all kinds of rich and rare dishes of food, and +every species of sweetmeat; and enquiring to whom they belonged, he was +told that the place was occupied by the wife of a merchant from Trn, +who was extremely wealthy, and who entertained in the most sumptuous +manner every traveller who passed that way. Hungry, and curious to see +what was going on, Ts dismounted, and leaving his horse with the +attendants, entered the principal apartment, where he saw a fascinating +female, and was transported with joy.--She was + + Tall as the graceful cypress, and as bright, + As ever struck a lover's ravished sight; + Why of her musky locks or ringlets tell? + Each silky hair itself contained a spell. + Why of her face so beautifully fair? + Wondering he saw the moon's refulgence there. + +As soon as his transports had subsided he sat down before her, and asked +her who she was, and upon what adventure she was engaged; and she +answered that she was a singing-girl, that a wealthy merchant some time +ago had fallen in love with and married her, and soon afterwards died; +that Afrsiyb, the king, had since wished to take her into his harem, +which alarmed her, and she had in consequence fled from his country; she +was willing, however, she said, to become the handmaid of Kai-khosru, +he being a true king, and of a sweet and gentle temper. + + "A persecuted damsel I, + Thus the detested tyrant fly, + And hastening from impending woes, + In happy Persia seek repose; + For long as cherished life remains, + Pleasure must smile where Khosru reigns. + Thence did I from my home depart, + To please and bless a Persian heart." + +The deception worked effectually on the mind of Ts, and he at once +entered into the notion of escorting her to Kai-khosru. But he was +immediately supplied with charmed viands and goblets of rich wine, which +he had not the power to resist, till his senses forsook him, and then +Plsam appeared, and, binding him with cords, conveyed him safely and +secretly into the interior of the fort. In a short time Gdarz arrived, +and he too was received and treated in the same manner. Then Gw and +Byzun were seized and secured; and after them came Zl: but +notwithstanding the enticements that were used, and the attractions that +presented themselves, he would neither enter the enchanted apartment, +nor taste the enchanted food or wine. + + The bewitching cup was filled to the brim, + But the magic draught had no charms for him. + +A person whispered in his ear that the woman had already wickedly got +into her power several warriors, and he felt assured that they were his +own friends. To be revenged for this treachery he rushed forward, and +would have seized hold of the sorceress, but she fled into the fort and +fastened the gate. He instantly sent a messenger to Rustem, explaining +the perplexity in which he was involved, and exerting all his strength, +broke down the gate that had just been closed against him as soon as the +passage was opened, out rushed Plsam, who with his mace commenced a +furious battle with Zl, in which he nearly overpowered him, when +Fermurz reached the spot, and telling the venerable old warrior to +stand aside, took his place, and fought with Plsam without intermission +all day, and till they were parted by the darkness of night. + +Early in the morning Rustem, accompanied by Barz, arrived from Sstn, +and entering the fort, called aloud for Plsam. He also sent Fermurz to +Kai-khosru to inform him of what had occurred. Plsam at length issued +forth, and attacked the champion. They first fought with bows and +arrows, with javelins next, and then successively with maces, and +swords, and daggers. The contest lasted the whole day; and when at night +they parted, neither had gained the victory. The next morning immense +clouds of dust were seen, and they were found to be occasioned by +Afrsiyb and his army marching to the spot. Rustem appointed Barz to +proceed with his Zbul troops against him, whilst he himself encountered +Plsam. The strife between the two was dreadful. Rustem struck him +several times furiously upon the head, and at length stretched him +lifeless on the sand. He then impelled Rakush towards the Trnian army, +and aided by Zl and Barz, committed tremendous havoc among them. + + So thick the arrows fell, helmet, and mail, + And shield, pierced through, looked like a field of reeds. + +In the meantime Ssen, the sorceress, escaped from the fort, and fled to +Afrsiyb. + +Another cloud of dust spreading from earth to heaven, was observed in +the direction of Persia, and the waving banners becoming more distinct, +presently showed the approach of the king, Kai-khosru. + + The steely javelins sparkled in the sun, + Helmet and shield, and joyous seemed the sight. + Banners, all gorgeous, floating on the breeze, + And horns shrill echoing, and the tramp of steeds, + Proclaimed to dazzled eye and half-stunned ear, + The mighty preparation. + +The hostile armies soon met, and there was a sanguinary conflict, but +the Trnians were obliged to give way. Upon this common result, +Prn-wsah declared to Afrsiyb that perseverance was as ridiculous as +unprofitable. "Our army has no heart, nor confidence, when opposed to +Rustem; how often have we been defeated by him--how often have we been +scattered like sheep before that lion in battle! We have just lost the +aid of Barz, and now is it not deplorable to put any trust in the +dreams of a singing-girl, to accelerate on her account the ruin of the +country, and to hazard thy own personal safety. + + "What! risk an empire on a woman's word!" + +Afrsiyb replied, "So it is;" and instantly urged his horse into the +middle of the plain, where he loudly challenged Kai-khosru to single +combat, saying, "Why should we uselessly shed the blood of our warriors +and people. Let us ourselves decide the day. God will give the triumph +to him who merits it." Kai-khosru was ashamed to refuse this challenge, +and descending from his elephant, mounted his horse and prepared for the +onset. But his warriors seized the bridle, and would not allow him to +fight. He declared, however, that he would himself take revenge for the +blood of Saiwush, and struggled to overcome the friends who were +opposing his progress. "Forbear awhile," said Rustem, "Afrsiyb is +expert in all the arts of the warrior, fighting with the sword, the +dagger, in archery, and wrestling. When I wrestled with him, and held +him down, he could not have escaped, excepting by the exercise of the +most consummate dexterity. Allow thy warriors to fight for thee." But +the king was angry, and said, "The monarch who does not fight for +himself, is unworthy of the crown." Upon hearing this, Rustem wept tears +of blood. Barz now took hold of the king's stirrup, and knocked his +forehead against it, and drawing his dagger, threatened to put an end to +himself, saying, "My blood will be upon thy neck, if thou goest;" and he +continued in a strain so eloquent and persuasive that Khosru relaxed in +his determination, and observed to Rustem: "There can be no doubt that +Barz is descended from thee." Barz now respectfully kissed the ground +before the king, and vaulting on his saddle with admirable agility, +rushed onwards to the middle space where Afrsiyb was waiting, and +roared aloud. Afrsiyb burned with indignation at the sight, and said +in his heart: "It seems that I have nurtured and instructed this +ingrate, to shed my own blood. Thou wretch of demon-birth, thou knowest +not thy father's name! and yet thou comest to wage war against me! Art +thou not ashamed to look upon the king of Trn after what he has done +for thee?" Barz replied: "Although thou didst protect me, thou spilt +the blood of Saiwush and Aghrras unjustly. When I ate thy salt, I +served thee faithfully, and fought for thee. I now eat the salt of +Kai-khosru, and my allegiance is due to him." + + He spoke, and raised his battle-axe, and rushed, + Swift as a demon of Mzindern, + Against Afrsiyb, who, frowning, cried:-- + "Approach not like a furious elephant, + Heedless what may befall thee--nor provoke + The wrath of him whose certain aim is death." + Then placed he on the string a pointed dart, + And shot it from the bow; whizzing it flew, + And pierced the armor of the wondering youth, + Inflicting on his side a painful wound, + Which made his heart with trepidation throb; + High exultation marked the despot's brow, + Seeing the gush of blood his loins distain. + +Barz was now anxious to assail Afrsiyb with his mace, instead of +arrows; but whenever he tried to get near enough, he was disappointed by +the adroitness of his adversary, whom he could not reach. He was at last +compelled to lay aside the battle-axe, and have recourse to his bow, but +every arrow was dexterously received by Afrsiyb on his shield; and +Barz, on his part, became equally active and successful. Afrsiyb soon +emptied his quiver, and then he grasped his mace with the intention of +extinguishing his antagonist at once, but at the moment Hmn came up, +and said: "O, king! do not bring thyself into jeopardy by contending +against a person of no account; thy proper adversary is Kai-khosru, and +not him, for if thou gainest the victory, it can only be a victory over +a fatherless soldier, and if thou art killed, the whole of Trn will be +at the feet of Persia." Both Prn and Hmn dissuaded the king from +continuing the engagement singly, and directed the Trnians to commence +a general attack. Afrsiyb told them that if Barz was not slain, it +would be a great misfortune to their country; in consequence, they +surrounded him, and inflicted on him many severe wounds. But Rustem and +Fermurz, beholding the dilemma into which Barz was thrown, hastened to +his support, and many of the enemy were killed by them, and great +carnage followed the advance of the Persian army. + + The noise of clashing swords, and ponderous maces + Ringing upon the iron mail, seemed like + The busy work-shop of an armorer; + Tumultuous as the sea the field appeared, + All crimsoned with the blood of heroes slain. + +Kai-khosru himself hurried to the assistance of Barz, and the powerful +force which he brought along with him soon put the Trnians to flight. +Afrsiyb too made his escape in the confusion that prevailed. The king +wished to pursue the enemy, but Rustem observed that their defeat and +dispersion was enough. The battle having ceased, and the army being in +the neighborhood of Sstn, the champion solicited permission to return +to his home; "for I am now," said he, "four hundred years old, and +require a little rest. In the meantime Fermurz and Barz may take my +place." The king consented, and distributing his favors to each of his +distinguished warriors for their prodigious exertions, left Zl and +Rustem to proceed to Sstn, and returned to the capital of his kingdom. + + + +THE EXPEDITION OF GDARZ + +The overthrow of the sovereign of Trn had only a temporary effect, as +it was not long before he was enabled to collect further supplies, and +another army for the defence of his kingdom; and Kai-khosru's ambition +to reduce the power of his rival being animated by new hopes of success, +another expedition was entrusted to the command of Gdarz. Rustem, he +said, had done his duty in repeated campaigns against Afrsiyb, and the +extraordinary gallantry and wisdom with which they were conducted, +entitled him to the highest applause. "It is now, Gdarz, thy turn to +vanquish the enemy." Accordingly Gdarz, accompanied by Gw, and Ts, +and Byzun, and an immense army, proceeded towards Trn. Fermurz was +directed previously to invade and conquer Hindstn, and from thence to +march to the borders of Chn and M-chn, for the purpose of uniting and +co-operating with the army under Gdarz, and, finally, to capture +Afrsiyb. + +As soon as it was known in Trn that Gdarz was in motion to resume +hostilities against the king, Hmn was appointed with a large force to +resist his progress, and a second army of reserve was gathered together +under the command of Prn. The first conflict which occurred was +between the troops of Gdarz and Hmn. Gdarz directed Byzun to attack +Hmn. The two chiefs joined in battle, when Hmn fell under the sword +of his adversary, and his army, being defeated, retired, and united in +the rear with the legions of Prn. The enemy thus became of formidable +strength, and in consequence it was thought proper to communicate the +inequality to Kai-khosru, that reinforcements might be sent without +loss of time. The king immediately complied, and also wrote to Sstn to +request the aid of Rustem. The war lasted two years, the army on each +side being continually recruited as necessity required, so that the +numbers were regularly kept up, till a great battle took place, in which +the venerable Prn was killed, and nearly the whole of his army +destroyed. This victory was obtained without the assistance of Rustem, +who, notwithstanding the message of the king, had still remained in +Sstn. The loss of Prn, the counsellor and warrior, proved to be a +great affliction to Afrsiyb: he felt as if his whole support was taken +away, and deemed it the signal of approaching ruin to his cause. + + "Thou wert my refuge, thou my friend and brother; + Wise in thy counsel, gallant in the field, + My monitor and guide--and thou art gone! + The glory of my kingdom is eclipsed, + Since thou hast vanished from this world, and left me + All wretched to myself. But food, nor sleep + Nor rest will I indulge in, till just vengeance + Has been inflicted on the cruel foe." + +When the news of Prn's death reached Kai-khosru, he rapidly marched +forward, crossed the Jihn without delay, and passed through Samerknd +and Bokhra, to encounter the Trnians. Afrsiyb, in the meantime, had +not been neglectful. He had all his hidden treasure dug up, with which +he assembled a prodigious army, and appointed his son Shydah-Poshang to +the command of a hundred thousand horsemen. To oppose this force, +Khosru appointed his young relative, Lohursp, with eight thousand +horsemen, and passing through Sstn, desired Rustem, on account of +Lohursp's tender age and inexperience, to afford him such good counsel +as he required. When Afrsiyb heard this, he added to the force of +Shydah another hundred thousand men, but first sent his son to +Kai-khosru in the character of an ambassador to offer terms of peace. +"Tell him," said he, "that to secure this object, I will deliver to him +one of my sons as a hostage, and a number of troops for his service, +with the sacred promise never to depart from my engagements again.--But, +a word in thy ear, Shydah; if Khosru is not disposed to accept these +terms, say, to prevent unnecessary bloodshed, he and I must personally +decide the day by single combat. If he refuses to fight with me, say +that thou wilt meet him; and shouldst thou be slain in the strife, I +will surrender to him the kingdom of Trn, and retire myself from the +world." He further commanded him to propound these terms with a gallant +and fearless bearing, and not to betray the least apprehension. Shydah +entered fully into the spirit of his father's instructions, and declared +that he would devote his life to the cause, that he would boldly before +the whole assembly dare Kai-khosru to battle; so that Afrsiyb was +delighted with the valorous disposition he displayed. + +Kai-khosru smiled when he heard of what Afrsiyb intended, and viewed +the proposal as a proof of his weakness. "But never," said he, "will I +consent to a peace till I have inflicted on him the death which Saiwush +was made to suffer." When Shydah arrived, and with proper ceremony and +respect had delivered his message, Kai-khosru invited him to retire to +his chamber and go to rest, and he would send an answer by one of his +people. Shydah accordingly retired, and the king proceeded to consult +his warrior-friends on the offers that had been made. "Afrsiyb tells +me," said he, "that if I do not wish for peace, I must fight either him +or his son. I have seen Shydah--his eyes are red and blood-shot, and he +has a fierce expression of feature; if I do not accept his terms, I +shall probably soon have a dagger lodged in my breast." Saying this, he +ordered his mail to be got ready; but Rustem and all the great men about +him exclaimed, unanimously: "This must not be allowed; Afrsiyb is full +of fraud, artifice, and sorcery, and notoriously faithless to his +engagements. The sending of Shydah is all a trick, and his letter of +proposal all deceit: his object is simply to induce thee to fight him +alone. + + "If them shouldst kill this Shydah--what of that! + There would be one Trnian warrior less, + To vex the world withal; would that be triumph? + And to a Persian king? But if it chanced, + That thou shouldst meet with an untimely death, + By dart or javelin, at the stripling's hands, + What scathe and ruin would this realm befall!" + +By the advice of Rustem, Kai-khosru gave Shydah permission +to depart, and said that he would send his answer to Afrsiyb by Krun. +"But," observed the youth, "I have come to fight thee!" which touched +the honor of the king, and he replied: "Be it so, let us then meet +to-morrow." + +In the meantime Khosru prepared his letter to Afrsiyb, in which he +said:-- + + "Our quarrel now is dark to view, + It bears the fiercest, gloomiest hue; + And vain have speech and promise been + To change for peace the battle scene; + For thou art still to treachery prone, + Though gentle now in word and tone; + But that imperial crown thou wearest, + That mace which thou in battle bearest, + Thy kingdom, all, thou must resign; + Thy army too--for all are mine! + Thou talk'st of strength, and might, and power, + When revelling in a prosperous hour; + But know, that strength of nerve and limb + We owe to God--it comes from Him! + And victory's palm, and regal sway, + Alike the will of Heaven obey. + Hence thy lost throne, no longer thine, + Will soon, perfidious king! be mine!" + +In giving this letter to Krun, Kai-khosru directed him, in the first +place, to deliver a message from him to Shydah, to the following +effect:-- + + "Driven art thou out from home and life, + Doomed to engage in mortal strife, + For deeply lours misfortune's cloud; + That gay attire will be thy shroud; + Blood from thy father's eyes will gush, + As Ks wept for Saiwush." + +In the morning Khosru went to the appointed place, and when he +approached Shydah, the latter said, "Thou hast come on foot, let our +trial be in wrestling;" and the proposal being agreed to, both applied +themselves fiercely to the encounter, at a distance from the troops. + + The youth appeared with joyous mien, + And bounding heart, for life was new; + By either host the strife was seen, + And strong and fierce the combat grew. + +Shydah exerted his utmost might, but was unable to move his antagonist +from the ground; whilst Khosru lifted him up without difficulty, and, +dashing him on the plain, + + He sprang upon him as the lion fierce + Springs on the nimble gor, then quickly drew + His deadly dagger, and with cruel aim, + Thrust the keen weapon through the stripling's heart. + +Khosru, immediately after slaying him, ordered the body to be washed +with musk and rose-water, and, after burial, a tomb to be raised to his +memory. + +When Krun reached the court of Afrsiyb with the answer to the offer +of peace, intelligence had previously arrived that Shydah had fallen in +the combat, which produced in the mind of the father the greatest +anguish. He gave no reply to Krun, but ordered the drums and trumpets +to be sounded, and instantly marched with a large army against the +enemy. The two hosts were soon engaged, the anger of the Trnians being +so much roused and sharpened by the death of the prince, that they were +utterly regardless of their lives. The battle, therefore, was fought +with unusual fury. + + Two sovereigns in the field, in desperate strife, + Each by a grievous cause of wrath, urged on + To glut revenge; this, for a father's life + Wantonly sacrificed; that for a son + Slain in his prime.--The carnage has begun, + And blood is seen to flow on every side; + Thousands are slaughtered ere the day is done, + And weltering swell the sanguinary tide; + And why? To soothe man's hate, his cruelty, and pride. + +The battle terminated in the discomfiture and defeat of the Trnians, +who fled from the conquerors in the utmost confusion. The people seized +hold of the bridle of Afrsiyb's horse, and obliged him to follow his +scattered army. + +Kai-khosru having despatched an account of his victory to Ks, went in +pursuit of Afrsiyb, traversing various countries and provinces, till +he arrived on the borders of Chn. The Khakn, or sovereign of that +state, became in consequence greatly alarmed, and presented to him large +presents to gain his favor, but the only object of Khosru was to secure +Afrsiyb, and he told the ambassador that if his master dared to afford +him protection, he would lay waste the whole kingdom. The Khakn +therefore withdrew his hospitable services, and the abandoned king was +compelled to seek another place of refuge. + + + +THE DEATH OF AFRSIYB + +Melancholy and afflicted, Afrsiyb penetrated through wood and desert, +and entered the province of Mikrn, whither he was followed by +Kai-khosru and his army. He then quitted Mikrn, but his followers had +fallen off to a small number and to whatever country or region he +repaired for rest and protection, none was given, lest the vengeance of +Kai-khosru should be hurled upon the offender. Still pursued and hunted +like a wild beast, and still flying from his enemies, the small retinue +which remained with him at last left him, and he was left alone, +dejected, destitute, and truly forlorn. In this state of desertion he +retired into a cave, where he hoped to continue undiscovered and unseen. + +It chanced, however, that a man named Hm, of the race of Feridn, dwelt +hard by. He was remarkable for his strength and bravery, but had +peacefully taken up his abode upon the neighboring mountain, and was +passing a religious life without any communication with the busy world. +His dwelling was a little way above the cave of Afrsiyb. One night he +heard a voice of lamentation below, and anxious to ascertain from whom +and whence it proceeded, he stole down to the spot and listened. The +mourner spoke in the Turkish language, and said:--"O king of Trn and +Chn, where is now thy pomp and power! How has Fortune cast away thy +throne and thy treasure to the winds?" Hearing these words Hm +conjectured that this must be Afrsiyb; and as he had suffered severely +from the tyranny of that monarch, his feelings of vengeance were +awakened, and he approached nearer to be certain that it was he. The +same lamentations were repeated, and he felt assured that it was +Afrsiyb himself. He waited patiently, however, till morning dawned, +and then he called out at the mouth of the cave:--"O, king of the world! +come out of thy cave, and obtain thy desires! I have left the invisible +sphere to accomplish thy wishes. Appear!" Afrsiyb thinking this a +spiritual call, went out of the cave and was instantly recognized by +Hm, who at the same moment struck him a severe blow on the forehead, +which felled him to the earth, and then secured his hands behind his +back. When the monarch found himself in fetters and powerless, he +complained of the cruelty inflicted upon him, and asked Hm why he had +treated a stranger in that manner. Hm replied: "How many a prince of +the race of Feridn hast thou sacrificed to thy ambition? How many a +heart hast thou broken? I, too, am one who was compelled to fly from thy +persecutions, and take refuge here on this desert mountain, and +constantly have I prayed for thy ruin that I might be released from this +miserable mode of existence, and be permitted to return to my paternal +home. My prayer has been heard at last, and God has delivered thee into +my hands. But how earnest thou hither, and by what strange vicissitudes +art thou thus placed before me?" Afrsiyb communicated to him the story +of his misfortunes, and begged of him rather to put him to death on the +spot than convey him to Kai-khosru. But Hm was too much delighted with +having the tyrant under his feet to consider either his safety or his +feelings, and was not long in bringing him to the Persian king. +Kai-khosru received the prisoner with exultation, and made Hm a +magnificent present. He well recollected the basin and the dagger used +in the murder of Saiwush, and commanded the presence of the treacherous +Gerswaz, that he and Afrsiyb might suffer, in every respect, the same +fate together. The basin was brought, and the two victims were put to +death, like two goats, their heads being chopped off from their bodies. + +After this sanguinary catastrophe, Kai-khosru returned to Irn, leaving +Rustem to proceed to his own principality. Kai-ks quitted his palace, +according to his established custom, to welcome back the conqueror. He +kissed his head and face, and showered upon him praises and blessings +for the valor he had displayed, and the deeds he had done, and +especially for having so signally revenged the cruel murder of his +father Saiwush. + + + +THE DEATH OF KAI-KHOSRU + +Kai-khosru at last became inspired by an insurmountable attachment to a +religious life, and thought only of devotion to God. Thus influenced by +a disposition peculiar to ascetics, he abandoned the duties of +sovereignty, and committed all state affairs to the care of his +ministers. The chiefs and warriors remonstrated respectfully against +this mode of government, and trusted that he would devote only a few +hours in the day to the transactions of the kingdom, and the remainder +to prayer and religious exercises; but this he refused, saying:--"One +heart is not equal to both duties; my affections indeed are not for this +transitory world, and I trust to be an inhabitant of the world to come." +The nobles were in great sorrow at this declaration, and anxiously +applied to Zl and Rustem, in the hopes of working some change in the +king's disposition. On their arrival the people cried to them:-- + + "Some evil eye has smote the king;--Ibls + By wicked wiles has led his soul astray, + And withered all life's pleasures. O release + Our country from the sorrow, the dismay + Which darkens every heart:--his ruin stay. + Is it not mournful thus to see him cold + And gloomy, casting pomp and joy away? + Restore him to himself; let us behold + Again the victor-king, the generous, just and bold." + +Zl and Rustem went to the palace of the king in a melancholy mood, and +Khosru having heard of their approach, enquired of them why they had +left Sstn. They replied that the news of his having relinquished all +concern in the affairs of the kingdom had induced them to wait upon him. +"I am weary of the troubles of this life," said he composedly, "and +anxious to prepare for a future state." "But death," observed Zl, "is a +great evil. It is dreadful to die!" Upon this the king said:--"I cannot +endure any longer the deceptions and the perfidy of mankind. My love of +heaven is so great that I cannot exist one moment without devotion and +prayer. Last night a mysterious voice whispered in my ear:--The time of +thy departure is nigh, prepare the load for thy journey, and neglect not +thy warning angel, or the opportunity will be lost." When Zl and Rustem +saw that Khosru was resolved, and solemnly occupied in his devotions, +they were for some time silent. But Zl was at length moved, and +said:--"I will go into retirement and solitude with the king, and by +continual prayer, and through his blessing, I too may be forgiven." +"This, indeed," said the king, "is not the place for me. I must seek out +a solitary cell, and there resign my soul to heaven." Zl and Rustem +wept, and quitted the palace, and all the warriors were in the deepest +affliction. + +The next day Kai-khosru left his apartment, and called together his +great men and warriors, and said to them:-- + + "That which I sought for, I have now obtained. + Nothing remains of worldly wish, or hope, + To disappoint or vex me. I resign + The pageantry of kings, and turn away + From all the pomp of the Kainian throne, + Sated with human grandeur.--Now, farewell! + Such is my destiny. To those brave friends, + Who, ever faithful, have my power upheld, + I will discharge the duty of a king, + Paying the pleasing debt of gratitude." + +He then ordered his tents to be pitched in the desert, and opened his +treasury, and for seven days made a sumptuous feast, and distributed +food and money among the indigent, the widows, and orphans, and every +destitute person was abundantly supplied with the necessaries of life, +so that there was no one left in a state of want throughout the empire. +He also attended to the claims of his warriors. To Rustem he gave Zbul, +and Kbul, and Nm-rz. He appointed Lohursp, the son-in-law of +Kai-ks, successor to his throne, and directed all his people to pay +the same allegiance to him as they had done to himself; and they +unanimously consented, declaring their firm attachment to his person and +government. He appointed Gdarz the chief minister, and Gw to the chief +command of the armies. To Ts he gave Khorassn; and he said to Frburz, +the son of Ks:--"Be thou obedient, I beseech thee, to the commands of +Lohursp, whom I have instructed, and brought up with paternal care; for +I know of no one so well qualified in the art of governing a kingdom." +The warriors of Irn were surprised, and murmured together, that the son +of Kai-ks should be thus placed under the authority of Lohursp. But +Zl observed to them:--"If it be the king's will, it is enough!" The +murmurs of the warriors having reached Kai-khosru, he sent for them, +and addressed them thus:--"Frburz is well known to be unequal to the +functions of sovereignty; but Lohursp is enlightened, and fully +comprehends all the duties of regal sway. He is a descendant of Hsheng, +wise and merciful, and God is my witness, I think him perfectly +calculated to make a nation happy." Hearing this eulogium on the +character of the new king from Kai-khosru, all the warriors expressed +their satisfaction, and anticipated a glorious reign. Khosru further +said:--"I must now address you on another subject. In my dreams a +fountain has been pointed out to me; and when I visit that fountain, my +life will be resigned to its Creator." He then bid farewell to all the +people around him, and commenced his journey; and when he had +accomplished one stage he pitched his tent. Next day he resumed his +task, and took leave of Zl and Rustem; who wept bitterly as they parted +from him. + + "Alas!" they said, "that one on whom + Heaven has bestowed a mind so great, + A heart so brave, should seek the tomb, + And not his hour in patience wait. + The wise in wonder gaze, and say, + No mortal being ever trod + Before, the dim supernal way, + And living, saw the face of God!" + +After Zl and Rustem, then Khosru took leave of Gdarz and Gw and Ts, +and Gustahem, but unwilling to go back, they continued with him. He soon +arrived at the promised fountain, in which he bathed. He then said to +his followers:--"Now is the time for our separation;--you must go;" +but they still remained. Again he said:--"You must go quickly; for +presently heavy showers of snow will fall, and a tempestuous wind will +arise, and you will perish in the storm." Saying this, he went into the +fountain, and vanished! + + And not a trace was left behind, + And not a dimple on the wave; + All sought, but sought in vain, to find + The spot which proved Kai-khosru's grave! + +The king having disappeared in this extraordinary manner, a loud +lamentation ascended from his followers; and when the paroxysm of +amazement and sorrow had ceased, Frburz said:--"Let us now refresh +ourselves with food, and rest awhile." Accordingly those that remained +ate a little, and were soon afterwards overcome with sleep. Suddenly a +great wind arose, and the snow fell and clothed the earth in white, and +all the warriors and soldiers who accompanied Kai-khosru to the +mysterious fountain, and amongst them Ts and Frburz, and Gw, were +while asleep overwhelmed in the drifts of snow. Not a man survived. +Gdarz had returned when about half-way on the road; and not hearing for +a long time any tidings of his companions, sent a person to ascertain +the cause of their delay. Upon proceeding to the fatal place, the +messenger, to his amazement and horror, found them all stiff and +lifeless under the snow! + + + +LOHURSP + +The reputation of Lohursp was of the highest order, and it is said that +his administration of the affairs of his kingdom was more just and +paternal than even that of Kai-khosru. "The counsel which Khosru gave +me," said he, "was wise and admirable; but I find that I must go beyond +him in moderation and clemency to the poor." Lohursp had four sons, two +by the daughter of Kai-ks, one named Ardshr, and the other Shydasp; +and two by another woman, and they were named Gushtsp and Zarr. But +Gushtsp was intrepid, acute, and apparently marked out for sovereignty, +and on account of his independent conduct, no favorite with his father; +in defiance of whom, with a rebellious spirit, he collected together a +hundred thousand horsemen, and proceeded with them towards Hindstn of +his own accord. Lohursp sent after him his brother Zarr, with a +thousand horsemen, in the hopes of influencing him to return; but when +Zarr overtook him and endeavored to persuade him not to proceed any +further, he said to him, with an animated look:-- + + "Proceed no farther!--Well thou know'st + We've no Kainian blood to boast, + And, therefore, but a minor part + In Lohursp's paternal heart. + Nor thou, nor I, can ever own + From him the diadem or throne. + The brothers of Ks's race + By birth command the brightest place, + Then what remains for us? We must + To other means our fortunes trust. + We cannot linger here, and bear + A life of discontent--despair." + +Zarr, however, reasoned with him so winningly and effectually, that at +last he consented to return; but only upon the condition that he should +be nominated heir to the throne, and treated with becoming respect and +ceremony. Zarr agreed to interpose his efforts to this end, and brought +him back to his father; but it was soon apparent that Lohursp had no +inclination to promote the elevation of Gushtsp in preference to the +claims of his other sons; and indeed shortly afterwards manifested to +what quarter his determination on this subject was directed. It was +indeed enough that his determination was unfavorable to the views of +Gushtsp, who now, in disgust, fled from his father's house, but without +any attendants, and shaped his course towards Rm. Lohursp again sent +Zarr in quest of him; but the youth, after a tedious search, returned +without success. Upon his arrival in Rm, Gushtsp chose a solitary +retirement, where he remained some time, and was at length compelled by +poverty and want, to ask for employment in the establishment of the +sovereign of that country, stating that he was an accomplished scribe, +and wrote a beautiful hand. He was told to wait a few days, as at that +time there was no vacancy. But hunger was pressing, and he could not +suffer delay; he therefore went to the master of the camel-drivers and +asked for service, but he too had no vacancy. However, commiserating the +distressed condition of the applicant, he generously supplied him with a +hearty meal. After that, Gushtsp went into a blacksmith's shop, and +asked for work, and his services were accepted. The blacksmith put the +hammer into his hands, and the first blow he struck was given with such +force, that he broke the anvil to pieces. The blacksmith was amazed and +angry, and indignantly turned him out of his shop, uttering upon him a +thousand violent reproaches. + + Wounded in spirit, broken-hearted, + Misfortune darkening o'er his head, + To other lands he then departed, + To seek another home for bread. + +Disconsolate and wretched, he proceeded on his journey, and observing a +husbandman standing in a field of corn, he approached the spot and sat +down. The husbandman seeing a strong muscular youth, apparently a +Trnian, sitting in sorrow and tears, went up to him and asked him the +cause of his grief, and he soon became acquainted with all the +circumstances of the stranger's life. Pitying his distress, he took him +home and gave him some food. + +After having partaken sufficiently of the refreshments placed before +him, Gushtsp inquired of his host to what tribe he belonged, and from +whom he was descended. "I am descended from Feridn," rejoined he, "and +I belong to the Kainian tribe. My occupation in this retired spot is, +as thou seest, the cultivation of the ground, and the customs and duties +of husbandry." Gushtsp said, "I am myself descended from Hsheng, who +was the ancestor of Feridn; we are, therefore, of the same origin." In +consequence of this connection, Gushtsp and the husbandman lived +together on the most friendly footing for a considerable time. At length +the star of his fortune began to illumine his path, and the favor of +Heaven became manifest. + +It was the custom of the king of Rm, when his daughters came of age, to +give a splendid banquet, and to invite to it all the youths of +illustrious birth in the kingdom, in order that each might select one of +them most suited to her taste, for her future husband. His daughter +Kitabn was now of age, and in conformity with the established practice, +the feast was prepared, and the youths of royal descent invited; but it +so happened that not one of them was sufficiently attractive for her +choice, and the day passed over unprofitably. She had been told in a +dream that a youth of a certain figure and aspect had arrived in the +kingdom from Irn, and that to him she was destined to be married. But +there was not one at her father's banquet who answered to the +description of the man she had seen in her dream, and in consequence she +was disappointed. On the following day the feast was resumed. She had +again dreamt of the youth to whom she was to be united. She had +presented to him a bunch of roses, and he had given her a rose-branch, +and each regarded the other with smiles of mutual satisfaction. In the +morning Kitabn issued a proclamation, inviting all the young men of +royal extraction, whether natives of the kingdom or strangers, to her +father's feast. On that day Gushtsp and the husbandman had come into +the city from the country, and hearing the proclamation the latter said: +"Let us go, for in this lottery the prize may be drawn in thy name." +They accordingly went. Kitabn's handmaid was in waiting at the door, +and kept every young man standing awhile, that her mistress might mark +him well before she allowed him to pass into the banquet. The keen eyes +of Kitabn soon saw Gushtsp, and her heart instantly acknowledged him +as her promised lord, for he was the same person she had seen in her +dream. + + As near the graceful stripling drew, + She cried:--"My dream, my dream is true! + Fortune from visions of the night + Has brought him to my longing sight. + Truth has portrayed his form divine; + He lives--he lives--and he is mine!" + +She presently descended from her balcony, and gave him a bunch of roses, +the token by which her choice was made known, and then retired. The +king, when he heard of what she had done, was exceedingly irritated, +thinking that her affections were placed on a beggar, or some nameless +stranger of no birth or fortune, and his first impulse was to have her +put to death. But his people assembled around him, and said:--"What can +be the use of killing her?--It is in vain to resist the flood of +destiny, for what will be, will be. + + "The world itself is governed still by Fate, + Fate rules the warrior's and the monarch's state; + And woman's heart, the passions of her soul, + Own the same power, obey the same control; + For what can love's impetuous force restrain? + Blood may be shed, but what will be thy gain?" + +After this remonstrance he desired enquiries to be made into the +character and parentage of his proposed son-in-law, and was told his +name, the name of his father, and of his ancestors, and the causes which +led to his present condition. But he would not believe a word of the +narration. He was then informed of his daughter's dream, and other +particulars: and he so far relented as to sanction the marriage; but +indignantly drove her from his house, with her husband, without a dowry, +or any money to supply themselves with food. + +Gushtsp and his wife took refuge in a miserable cell, which they +inhabited, and when necessity pressed, he used to cross the river, and +bring in an elk or wild ass from the forest, give half of it to the +ferryman for his trouble, and keep the remainder for his own board, so +that he and the ferryman became great friends by these mutual +obligations. It is related that a person of distinction, named Mabrn, +solicited the king's second daughter in marriage; and Ahrun, another man +of rank, was anxious to be espoused to the third, or youngest; but the +king was unwilling to part with either of them, and openly declared his +sentiments to that effect. Mabrn, however, was most assiduous and +persevering in his attentions, and at last made some impression on the +father, who consented to permit the marriage of the second daughter, but +only on the following conditions: "There is," said he, "a monstrous wolf +in the neighboring forest, extremely ferocious, and destructive to my +property. I have frequently endeavored to hunt him down, but without +success. If Mabrn can destroy the animal, I will give him my daughter." +When these conditions were communicated to Mabrn, he considered it +impossible that they could be fulfilled, and looked upon the proposal as +an evasion of the question. One day, however, the ferryman having heard +of Mabrn's disappointment, told him that there was no reason to +despair, for he knew a young man, married to one of the king's +daughters, who crossed the river every day, and though only a +pedestrian, brought home regularly an elk-deer on his back. "He is +truly," added he, "a wonderful youth, and if you can by any means secure +his assistance, I have no doubt but that his activity and strength will +soon put an end to the wolfs depredations, by depriving him of life." + +This intelligence was received with great pleasure by Mabrn, who +hastened to Gushtsp, and described to him his situation, and the +conditions required. Gushtsp in reply said, that he would be glad to +accomplish for him the object of his desires, and at an appointed time +proceeded towards the forest, accompanied by Mabrn and the ferryman. +When the party arrived at the borders of the wilderness which the wolf +frequented, Gushtsp left his companions behind, and advanced alone into +the interior, where he soon found the dreadful monster, in size larger +than an elephant, and howling terribly, ready to spring upon him. But +the hand and eye of Gushtsp were too active to allow of his being +surprised, and in an instant he shot two arrows at once into the foaming +beast, which, irritated by the deep wound, now rushed furiously upon +him, without, however, doing him any serious injury; then with the +rapidity of lightning, Gushtsp drew his sharp sword, and with one +tremendous stroke cut the wolf in two, deluging the ground with bubbling +blood. Having performed this prodigious exploit, he called Mabrn and +the ferryman to see what he had done, and they were amazed at his +extraordinary intrepidity and muscular power, but requested, in order +that the special object of the lover might be obtained, that he would +conceal his name, for a time at least. Mabrn, satisfied on this point, +then repaired to the emperor, and claimed his promised bride, as the +reward for his labor. The king of Rm little expected this result, and +to assure himself of the truth of what he had heard, bent his way to the +forest, where he was convinced, seeing with astonishment and delight +that the wolf was really killed. He had now no further pretext, and +therefore fulfilled his engagement, by giving his daughter to Mabrn. + +It was now Ahrun's turn to repeat his solicitations for the youngest +daughter. The king of Rm had another evil to root out, so that he was +prepared to propose another condition. This was to destroy a hideous +dragon that had taken possession of a neighboring mountain. Ahrun, on +hearing the condition was in as deep distress as Mabrn had been, until +he accidentally became acquainted with the ferryman, who described to +him the generosity and fearless bravery of Gushtsp. He immediately +applied to him, and the youth readily undertook the enterprise, +saying:--"No doubt the monster's teeth are long and sharp, bring me +therefore a dagger, and fasten round it a number of knives." Ahrun did +so accordingly, and Gushtsp proceeded to the mountain. As soon as the +dragon smelt the approach of a human being, flames issued from his +nostrils, and he darted forward to devour the intruder, but was driven +back by a number of arrows, rapidly discharged into his head and mouth. +Again he advanced, but Gushtsp dodged round him, and continued driving +arrows into him to the extent of forty, which subdued his strength, and +made him writhe in agony. He then fixed the dagger, which was armed at +right angles with knives, upon his spear, and going nearer, thrust it +down his gasping throat. + + Dreadful the weapon each two-edged blade + Cut deep into the jaws on either side, + And the fierce monster, thinking to dislodge it, + Crushed it between his teeth with all his strength, + Which pressed it deeper in the flesh, when blood + And poison issued from the gaping wounds; + Then, as he floundered on the earth exhausted, + Seizing the fragment of a flinty rock, + Gushtsp beat out the brains, and soon the beast + In terrible struggles died. Two deadly fangs + Then wrenched he from the jaws, to testify + The wonderful exploit he had performed. + +When he descended from the mountain, these two teeth were delivered to +Ahrun, and they were afterwards conveyed to the king, who could not +believe his own eyes, but ascended the mountain himself to ascertain the +fact, and there he beheld with amazement the dragon lifeless, and +covered with blood. "And didst thou thyself kill this terrific dragon?" +said he. "Yes," replied Ahrun. "And wilt thou swear to God that this is +thy own achievement? It must be either the exploit of a demon, or of a +certain Kainian, who resides in this neighborhood." But there was no +one to disprove his assertion, and therefore the king could no longer +refuse to surrender to him his youngest daughter. + +And now between Gushtsp, and Mabrn, and Ahrun, the warmest friendship +subsisted. Indeed they were seldom parted; and the three sisters +remained together with equal affection. One day Kitabn, the wife of +Gushtsp, in conversation with some of her female acquaintance, let out +the secret that her husband was the person who killed the wolf and the +dragon. + +No sooner was this story told, than it spread, and in the end reached +the ears of the queen, who immediately communicated it to the king, +saying:--"This is the work of Gushtsp, thy son-in-law, of him thou hast +banished from thy presence--of him who nobly would not disclose his +name, before Mabrn and Ahrun had attained the object of their wishes." +The king said in reply that it was just as he had suspected; and sending +for Gushtsp, conferred upon him great honor, and appointed him to the +chief command of his army. + +Having thus possessed himself of a leader of such skill and intrepidity, +he thought it necessary to turn his attention to external conquest, and +accordingly addressed a letter to Als, the ruler of Khuz, in which he +said:--"Thou hast hitherto enjoyed thy kingdom in peace and +tranquillity; but thou must now resign it to me, or prepare for war." +Als on receiving this imperious and haughty menace collected his +forces together, and advanced to the contest, and the king of Rm +assembled his own troops with equal expedition, under the direction of +Gushtsp. The battle was fought with great valor on both sides, and +blood flowed in torrents. Gushtsp challenged Als to single combat, +and the warriors met; but in a short time the enemy was thrown from his +horse, and dragged by the young conqueror, in fetters, before the king. +The troops witnessing the prowess of Gushtsp, quickly fled; and the +king commencing a hot pursuit, soon entered their city victoriously, +subdued the whole kingdom, and plundered it of all its property and +wealth. He also gained over the army, and with this powerful addition to +his own forces, and with the booty he had secured, returned triumphantly +to Rm. + +In consequence of this brilliant success, the king conferred additional +honors on Gushtsp, who now began to display the ambition which he had +long cherished. Aspiring to the sovereignty of Irn, he spoke to the +Rm warriors on the subject of an invasion of that country, but they +refused to enter into his schemes, conceiving that there was no chance +of success. At this Gushtsp took fire, and declared that he knew the +power and resources of his father perfectly, and that the conquest would +be attended with no difficulty. He then went to the king, and said: "Thy +chiefs are afraid to fight against Lohursp; I will myself undertake the +task with even an inconsiderable army." The king was overjoyed, and +kissed his head and face, and loaded him with presents, and ordered his +secretary to write to Lohursp in the following terms: "I am anxious to +meet thee in battle, but if thou art not disposed to fight, I will +permit thee to remain at peace, on condition of surrendering to me half +thy kingdom. Should this be refused, I will myself deprive thee of thy +whole sovereignty." When this letter was conveyed by the hands of Kabs +to Irn, Lohursp, upon reading it, was moved to laughter, and +exclaimed, "What is all this? The king of Rm has happened to obtain +possession of the little kingdom of Khuz, and he has become insane with +pride!" He then asked Kabs by what means he accomplished the capture of +Khuz, and how he managed to kill Als. The messenger replied, that his +success was owing to a youth of noble aspect and invincible courage, who +had first destroyed a ferocious wolf, then a dragon, and had afterwards +dragged Als from his horse, with as much ease as if he had been a +chicken, and laid him prostrate at the feet of the king of Rm. Lohursp +enquired his name, and he answered, Gushtsp. "Does he resemble in +feature any person in this assembly?" Kabs looked round about him, and +pointed to Zarr, from which Lohursp concluded that it must be his own +son, and sat silent. But he soon determined on what answer to send, and +it was contained in the following words: "Do not take me for an Als, +nor think that one hero of thine is competent to oppose me. I have a +hundred equal to him. Continue, therefore, to pay me tribute, or I will +lay waste thy whole country." With this letter he dismissed Kabs; and +as soon as the messenger had departed, addressed himself to Zarr, +saying: "Thou must go in the character of an ambassador from me to the +king of Rm, and represent to him the justice and propriety of +preserving peace. After thy conference with him repair to the house of +Gushtsp, and in my name ask his forgiveness for what I have done. I was +not before aware of his merit, and day and night I think of him with +repentance and sorrow. Tell him to pardon his old father's infirmities, +and come back to Irn, to his own country and home, that I may resign to +him my crown and throne, and like Kai-khosru, take leave of the world. +It is my desire to deliver myself up to prayer and devotion, and to +appoint Gushtsp my successor, for he appears to be eminently worthy of +that honor." Zarr acted scrupulously, in conformity with his +instructions; and having first had an interview with the king, hastened +to the house of his brother, by whom he was received with affection and +gladness. After the usual interchange of congratulations and enquiry, he +stated to him the views and the resolutions of his father, who on the +faith of his royal word promised to appoint him his successor, and +thought of him with the most cordial attachment. Gushtsp was as much +astonished as delighted with this information, and his anxiety being +great to return to his own country, he that very night, accompanied by +his wife Kitabn, and Zarr, set out for Irn. Approaching the city, he +was met by an istakbl, or honorary deputation of warriors, sent by the +king; and when he arrived at court, Lohursp descended from his throne +and embraced him with paternal affection, shedding tears of contrition +for having previously treated him not only with neglect but severity. +However he now made him ample atonement, and ordering a golden chair of +royalty to be constructed and placed close to his own, they both sat +together, and the people by command tendered to him unanimously their +respect and allegiance. Lohursp repeatedly said to him:-- + + "What has been done was Fate's decree, + Man cannot strive with destiny. + To be unfeeling once was mine, + At length to be a sovereign thine." + + Thus spoke the king, and kissed the crown, + And gave it to his valiant son. + +Soon afterwards he relinquished all authority in the empire, assumed the +coarse habit of a recluse, retired to a celebrated place of pilgrimage, +near Balkh. There, in a solitary cell, he devoted the remainder of his +life to prayer and the worship of God. The period of Lohursp's +government lasted one hundred and twenty years. + + + +GUSHTSP, AND THE FAITH OF ZERDUSHT + + I've said preceding sovereigns worshipped God, + By whom their crowns were given to protect + The people from oppressors; Him they served, + Acknowledging His goodness--for to Him, + The pure, unchangeable, the Holy One! + They owed their greatness and their earthly power. + But after times produced idolatry, + And Pagan faith, and then His name was lost + In adoration of created things. + +Gushtsp had by his wife Kitabn, the daughter of the king of Rm, two +sons named Isfendiyr and Bashtan, who were remarkable for their piety +and devotion to the Almighty. Being the great king, all the minor +sovereigns paid him tribute, excepting Arjsp, the ruler of Chn and +M-chn, whose army consisted of Dws, and Peris, and men; for +considering him of superior importance, he sent him yearly the usual +tributary present. In those days lived Zerdusht, the Guber, who was +highly accomplished in the knowledge of divine things; and having waited +upon Gushtsp, the king became greatly pleased with his learning and +piety, and took him into his confidence. The philosopher explained to +him the doctrines of the fire-worshippers, and by his art he reared a +tree before the house of Gushtsp, beautiful in its foliage and +branches, and whoever ate of the leaves of that tree became learned and +accomplished in the mysteries of the future world, and those who ate of +the fruit thereof became perfect in wisdom and holiness. + +In consequence of the illness of Lohursp, who was nearly at the point +of death, Zerdusht went to Balkh for the purpose of administering relief +to him, and he happily succeeded in restoring him to health. On his +return he was received with additional favor by Gushtsp, who +immediately afterwards became his disciple. Zerdusht then told him that +he was the prophet of God, and promised to show him miracles. He said he +had been to heaven and to hell. He could send anyone, by prayer, to +heaven; and whomsoever he was angry with he could send to hell. He had +seen the seven mansions of the celestial regions, and the thrones of +sapphires, and all the secrets of heaven were made known to him by his +attendant angel. He said that the sacred book, called Zendavesta, +descended from above expressly for him, and that if Gushtsp followed +the precepts in that blessed volume, he would attain celestial felicity. +Gushtsp readily became a convert to his principles, forsaking the pure +adoration of God for the religion of the fire-worshippers. + +The philosopher further said that he had prepared a ladder, by which he +had ascended into heaven and had seen the Almighty. This made the +disciple still more obedient to Zerdusht. One day he asked Gushtsp why +he condescended to pay tribute to Arjsp; "God is on thy side," said he, +"and if thou desirest an extension of territory, the whole country of +Chin may be easily conquered." Gushtsp felt ashamed at this reproof, +and to restore his character, sent a dispatch to Arjsp, in which he +said, "Former kings who paid thee tribute did so from terror only, but +now the empire is mine; and it is my will, and I have the power, to +resist the payment of it in future." This letter gave great offence to +Arjsp; who at once suspected that the fire-worshipper, Zerdusht, had +poisoned his mind, and seduced him from his pure and ancient religion, +and was attempting to circumvent and lead him to his ruin. He answered +him thus: "It is well known that thou hast now forsaken the right path, +and involved thyself in darkness. Thou hast chosen a guide possessed of +the attributes of Ibls, who with the art of a magician has seduced thee +from the worship of the true God, from that God who gave thee thy +kingdom and thy grandeur. Thy father feared God, and became a holy +Drvesh, whilst thou hast lost thy way in wickedness and impiety. It +will therefore be a meritorious action in me to vindicate the true +worship and oppose thy blasphemous career with all my demons. In a month +or two I will enter thy kingdom with fire and sword, and destroy thy +authority and thee. I would give thee good advice; do not be influenced +by a wicked counsellor, but return to thy former religious practices. +Weigh well, therefore, what I say." Arjsp sent this letter by two of +his demons, familiar with sorcery; and when it was delivered into the +hands of Gushtsp, a council was held to consider its contents, to which +Zerdusht was immediately summoned. Jamsp, the minister, said that the +subject required deep thought, and great prudence was necessary in +framing a reply; but Zerdusht observed, that the only reply was +obvious--nothing but war could be thought of. At this moment Isfendiyr +gallantly offered to lead the army, but Zarr, his uncle, objected to +him on account of his extreme youth, and proposed to take the command +himself, which Gushtsp agreed to, and the two demon-envoys were +dismissed. The answer was briefly as follows:-- + + "Thy boast is that thou wilt in two short months + Ravage my country, scathe with fire and sword + The empire of Irn; but on thyself + Heap not destruction; pause before thy pride + Hurries thee to thy ruin. I will open + The countless treasures of the realm; my warriors, + A thousand thousand, armed with shining steel, + Shall overrun thy kingdom; I myself + Will crush that head of thine beneath my feet." + +The result of these menaces was the immediate prosecution of the war, +and no time was lost by Arjsp in hastening into Irn. + + Plunder and devastation marked his course, + The villages were all involved in flames, + Palace of pride, low cot, and lofty tower; + The trees dug up, and root and branch destroyed. + Gushtsp then hastened to repel his foes; + But to his legions they seemed wild and strange, + And terrible in aspect, and no light + Could struggle through the gloom they had diffused, + To hide their progress. + +Zerdusht said to Gushtsp, "Ask thy vizir, Jamsp, what is written in +thy horoscope, that he may relate to thee the dispensations of heaven." +Jamsp, in reply to the inquiry, took the king aside and whispered +softly to him: "A great number of thy brethren, thy relations, and +warriors will be slain in the conflict, but in the end thou wilt be +victorious." Gushtsp deeply lamented the coming event, which involved +the destruction of his kinsmen, but did not shrink from the battle, for +he exulted in the anticipation of obtaining the victory. The contest was +begun with indescribable eagerness and impetuosity. + + Approaching, each a prayer addrest + To Heaven, and thundering forward prest; + Thick showers of arrows gloomed the sky, + The battle-storm raged long and high; + Above, black clouds their darkness spread, + Below, the earth with blood was red. + +Ardshr, the son of Lohursp, and descended from Kai-ks, was one of +the first to engage; he killed many, and was at last killed himself. +After him, his brother Shydasp was killed. Then Bish, the son of +Jamsp, urged on his steed, and with consummate bravery destroyed a +great number of warriors. Zarr, equally bold and intrepid, also rushed +amidst the host, and whether demons or men opposed him, they were all +laid lifeless on the field. He then rode up towards Arjsp, scattered +the ranks, and penetrated the headquarters, which put the king into +great alarm: for he exclaimed:--"What, have ye no courage, no shame! +whoever kills Zarr shall have a magnificent reward." Bai-derafsh, one +of the demons, animated by this offer, came forward, and with +remorseless fury attacked Zarr. The onset was irresistible, and the +young prince was soon overthrown and bathed in his own blood. The news +of the unfortunate catastrophe deeply affected Gushtsp, who cried, in +great grief: "Is there no one to take vengeance for this?" when +Isfendiyr presented himself, kissed the ground before his father, and +anxiously asked permission to engage the demon. Gushtsp assented, and +told him that if he killed the demon and defeated the enemy, he would +surrender to him his crown and throne. + + "When we from this destructive field return, + Isfendiyr, my son, shall wear the crown, + And be the glorious leader of my armies." + +Saying this, he dismounted from his famous black horse, called Behzd, +the gift of Kai-khosru, and presented it to Isfendiyr. The greatest +clamor and lamentation had arisen among the Persian army, for they +thought that Bai-derafsh had committed such dreadful slaughter, the +moment of utter defeat was at hand, when Isfendiyr galloped forward, +mounted on Behzd, and turned the fortunes of the day. He saw the demon +with the mail of Zarr on his breast, foaming at the mouth with rage, +and called aloud to him, "Stand, thou murderer!" The stern voice, the +valor, and majesty of Isfendiyr, made the demon tremble, but he +immediately discharged a blow with his dagger at his new opponent, who +however seized the weapon with his left hand, and with his right plunged +a spear into the monster's breast, and drove it through his body. +Isfendiyr then cut off his head, remounted his horse, and that instant +was by the side of Bish, the son of the vizir, into whose charge he +gave the severed head of Bai-derafsh, and the armor of Zarr. Bish now +attired himself in his father's mail, and fastening the head on his +horse, declared that he would take his post close by Isfendiyr, +whatever might betide. Firshaid, another Irnian warrior, came to the +spot at the same moment, and expressed the same resolution, so that all +three, thus accidentally met, determined to encounter Arjsp and capture +him. Isfendiyr led the way, and the other two followed. Arjsp, seeing +that he was singled out by three warriors, and that the enemy's force +was also advancing to the attack in great numbers, gave up the struggle, +and was the first to retreat. His troops soon threw away their arms and +begged for quarter, and many of them were taken prisoners by the +Irnians. Gushtsp now approached the dead body of Zarr, and lamenting +deeply over his unhappy fate, placed him in a coffin, and built over him +a lofty monument, around which lights were ever afterwards kept burning, +night and day; and he also taught the people the worship of fire, and +was anxious to establish everywhere the religion of Zerdusht. + +Jamsp appointed officers to ascertain the number of killed in the +battle. Of Irnians there were thirty thousand, among whom were eight +hundred chiefs; and the enemy's loss amounted to nine hundred thousand, +and also eleven hundred and sixty-three chiefs. Gushtsp rejoiced at the +glorious result, and ordered the drums to be sounded to celebrate the +victory, and he increased his favor upon Zerdusht, who originated the +war, and told him to call his triumphant son, Isfendiyr, near him. + + The gallant youth the summons hears, + And midst the royal court appears, + Close by his father's side, + The mace, cow-headed, in his hand; + His air and glance express command, + And military pride. + + Gushtsp beholds with heart elate. + The conqueror so young, so great, + And places round his brows the crown, + The promised crown, the high reward, + Proud token of a mighty king's regard, + Conferred upon his own. + +After Gushtsp had crowned his son as his successor, he told him that he +must not now waste his time in peace and private gratification, but +proceed to the conquest of other countries. Zerdusht was also deeply +interested in his further operations, and recommended him to subdue +kingdoms for the purpose of diffusing everywhere the new religion, that +the whole world might be enlightened and edified. Isfendiyr instantly +complied, and the first kingdom he invaded was Rm. The sovereign of +that country having no power nor means to resist the incursions of the +enemy, readily adopted the faith of Zerdusht, and accepted the sacred +book named Zendavesta, as his spiritual instructor. Isfendiyr +afterwards invaded Hindstn and Arabia, and several other countries, +and successfully established the religion of the fire-worshippers in +them all. + + Where'er he went he was received + With welcome, all the world believed, + And all with grateful feelings took + The Holy Zendavesta-book, + Proud their new worship to declare, + The worship of Isfendiyr. + +The young conqueror communicated by letters to his father the success +with which he had disseminated the religion of Zerdusht, and requested +to know what other enterprises required his aid. Gushtsp rejoiced +exceedingly, and commanded a grand banquet to be prepared. It happened +that Gurzam a warrior, was particularly befriended by the king, but +retaining secretly in his heart a bitter enmity to Isfendiyr, now took +an opportunity to gratify his malice, and privately told Gushtsp that +he had heard something highly atrocious in the disposition of the +prince. Gushtsp was anxious to know what it was; and he said, +"Isfendiyr has subdued almost every country in the world: he is a +dangerous person at the head of an immense army, and at this very moment +meditates taking Balkh, and making even thee his prisoner! + + "Thou know'st not that thy son Isfendiyr + Is hated by the army. It is said + Ambition fires his brain, and to secure + The empire to himself, his wicked aim + Is to rebel against his generous father. + This is the sum of my intelligence; + But thou'rt the king, I speak but what I hear." + +These malicious accusations by Gurzam insidiously made, produced great +vexation in the mind of Gushtsp. The banquet went on, and for three +days he drank wine incessantly, without sleep or rest because his sorrow +was extreme. On the fourth day he said to his minister: "Go with this +letter to Isfendiyr, and accompany him hither to me." Jamsp, the +minister, went accordingly on the mission, and when he arrived, the +prince said to him, "I have dreamt that my father is angry with +me."--"Then thy dream is true," replied Jamsp, "thy father is indeed +angry with thee."--"What crime, what fault have I committed? + + "Is it because I have with ceaseless toil + Spread wide the Zendavesta, and converted + Whole kingdoms to that faith? Is it because + For him I conquered those far-distant kingdoms, + With this good sword of mine? Why clouds his brow + Upon his son--some demon must have changed + His temper, once affectionate and kind, + Calling me to him thus in anger! Thou + Hast ever been my friend, my valued friend + Say, must I go? Thy counsel I require." + + "The son does wrong who disobeys his father, + Despising his command," Jamsp replied. + + "Yet," said Isfendiyr, "why should I go? + He is in wrath, it cannot be for good." + + "Know'st thou not that a father's wrath is kindness? + The anger of a father to his child + Is far more precious than the love and fondness + Felt by that child for him. 'Tis good to go, + Whatever the result, he is the king, + And more--he is thy father!" + +Isfendiyr immediately consented, and appointed Bahman, his eldest son, +to fill his place in the army during his absence. He had four sons: the +name of the second was Mihrbs; of the third, Avir; and of the fourth, +Nshhder; and these three he took along with him on his journey. + +Before he had arrived at Balkh, Gushtsp had concerted measures to +secure him as a prisoner, with an appearance of justice and +impartiality. On his arrival, he waited on the king respectfully, and +was thus received: "Thou hast become the great king! Thou hast conquered +many countries, but why am I unworthy in thy sight? Thy ambition is +indeed excessive." Isfendiyr replied: "However great I may be, I am +still thy servant, and wholly at thy command." Upon hearing this, +Gushtsp turned towards his courtiers, and said, "What ought to be done +with that son, who in the lifetime of his father usurps his authority, +and even attempts to eclipse him in grandeur? What! I ask, should be +done with such a son!" + + "Such a son should either be + Broken on the felon tree, + Or in prison bound with chains, + Whilst his wicked life remains, + Else thyself, this kingdom, all + Will be ruined by his thrall!" + +To this heavy denunciation Isfendiyr replied: "I have received all my +honors from the king, by whom I am appointed to succeed to the throne; +but at his pleasure I willingly resign them." However, concession and +remonstrance were equally fruitless, and he was straightway ordered to +be confined in the tower-prison of the fort situated on the adjacent +mountain, and secured with chains. + + Dreadful the sentence: all who saw him wept; + And sternly they conveyed him to the tower, + Where to four columns, deeply fixed in earth, + And reaching to the skies, of iron formed, + They bound him; merciless they were to him + Who had given splendour to a mighty throne. + Mournful vicissitude! Thus pain and pleasure + Successive charm and tear the heart of man; + And many a day in that drear solitude, + He lingered, shedding tears of blood, till times + Of happier omen dawned upon his fortunes. + +Having thus made Isfendiyr secure in the mountain-prison, and being +entirely at ease about the internal safety of the empire, Gushtsp was +anxious to pay a visit to Zl and Rustem at Sstn, and to convert them +to the religion of Zerdusht. On his approach to Sstn he was met and +respectfully welcomed by Rustem. who afterwards in open assembly +received the Zendavesta and adopted the new faith, which he propagated +throughout his own territory; but, according to common report it was +fear of Gushtsp alone which induced him to pursue this course. Gushtsp +remained two years his guest, enjoying all kinds of recreation, and +particularly the sports of the field and the forests. + +When Bahman, the son of Isfendiyr, heard of the imprisonment of his +father, he, in grief and alarm, abandoned his trust, dismissed the army, +and proceeded to Balkh, where he joined his two brothers, and wept over +the fate of their unhappy father. + +In the meantime the news of the confinement of Isfendiyr, and the +absence of Gushtsp at Sstn, and the unprotected state of Balkh, +stimulated Arjsp to a further effort, and he despatched his son Kahram +with a large army towards the capital of the enemy, to carry into effect +his purpose of revenge. Lohursp was still in religious retirement at +Balkh. The people were under great apprehension, and being without a +leader, anxiously solicited the old king to command them, but he said +that he had abandoned all earthly concerns, and had devoted himself to +God, and therefore could not comply with their entreaties. But they +would hear no denial, and, as it were, tore him from his place of refuge +and prayer. There were assembled only about one thousand horsemen, and +with these he advanced to battle; but what were they compared to the +hundred thousand whom they met, and by whom they were soon surrounded. +Their bravery was useless. They were at once overpowered and defeated, +and Lohursp himself was unfortunately among the slain. + +Upon the achievement of his victory, Kahram entered Balkh in triumph, +made the people prisoners, and destroyed all the places of worship +belonging to the Gubers. He also killed the keeper of the altar, and +burnt the Zendavesta, which contained the formulary of their doctrines +and belief. + +One of the women of Gushtsp's household happened to elude the grasp of +the invader, and hastened to Sstn to inform the king of the disaster +that had occurred. "Thy father is killed, the city is taken, and thy +women and daughters in the power of the conqueror." Gushtsp received +the news with consternation, and prepared with the utmost expedition for +his departure. He invited Rustem to accompany him, but the champion +excused himself at the time, and afterwards declined altogether on the +plea of sickness. Before he had yet arrived at Balkh, Kahram hearing of +his approach, went out to meet him with his whole army, and was joined +on the same day by Arjsp and his demon-legions. + + Great was the uproar, loud the brazen drums + And trumpets rung, the earth shook, and seemed rent + By that tremendous conflict, javelins flew + Like hail on every side, and the warm blood + Streamed from the wounded and the dying men. + The claim of kindred did not check the arm + Lifted in battle--mercy there was none, + For all resigned themselves to chance or fate, + Or what the ruling Heavens might decree. + +At last the battle terminated in the defeat of Gushtsp, who was pursued +till he was obliged to take refuge in a mountain-fort. He again +consulted Jamsp to know what the stars foretold, and Jamsp replied +that he would recover from the defeat through the exertions of +Isfendiyr alone. Pleased with this interpretation, he on that very day +sent Jamsp to the prison with a letter to Isfendiyr, in which he hoped +to be pardoned for the cruelty he had been guilty of towards him, in +consequence, he said, of being deceived by the arts and treachery of +those who were only anxious to effect his ruin. He declared too that he +would put those enemies to death in his presence, and replace the royal +crown upon his head. At the same time he confined in chains Gurzam, the +wretch who first practised upon his feelings. Jamsp rode immediately to +the prison, and delivering the letter, urged the prince to comply with +his father's entreaties, but Isfendiyr was incredulous and not so +easily to be moved. + + "Has he not at heart disdained me? + Has he not in prison chained me? + Am I not his son, that he + Treats me ignominiously? + + "Why should Gurzam's scorn and hate + Rouse a loving father's wrath? + Why should he, the foul ingrate, + Cast destruction in my path?" + +Jamsp, however, persevered in his anxious solicitations, describing to +him how many of his brethren and kindred had fallen, and also the +perilous situation of his own father if he refused his assistance. By a +thousand various efforts he at length effected his purpose, and the +blacksmith was called to take off his chains; but in removing them, the +anguish of the wounds they had inflicted was so great that Isfendiyr +fainted away. Upon his recovery he was escorted to the presence of his +father, who received him with open arms, and the strongest expressions +of delight. He begged to be forgiven for his unnatural conduct to him, +again resigned to him the throne of the empire, and appointed him to the +command of the imperial armies. He then directed Gurzam, upon whose +malicious counsel he had acted, to be brought before him, and the wicked +minister was punished with death on the spot, and in the presence of the +injured prince. + + Wretch! more relentless even than wolf or pard, + Thou hast at length received thy just reward! + +When Arjsp heard that Isfendiyr had been reconciled to his father, and +was approaching at the head of an immense army, he was affected with the +deepest concern, and forthwith sent his son Kahram to endeavor to resist +the progress of the enemy. At the same time Kurugsar, a gladiator of the +demon race, requested that he might be allowed to oppose Isfendiyr; and +permission being granted, he was the very first on the field, where +instantly wielding his bow, he shot an arrow at Isfendiyr, which +pierced through the mail, but fortunately for him did no serious harm. +The prince drew his sword with the intention of attacking him, but +seeing him furious with rage, and being doubtful of the issue, thought +it more prudent and safe to try his success with the noose. Accordingly +he took the kamund from his saddle-strap, and dexterously flung it round +the neck of his arrogant foe, who was pulled headlong from his horse: +and, as soon as his arms were bound behind his back, dragged a prisoner +in front of the Persian ranks. Isfendiyr then returned to the battle, +attacked a body of the enemy's auxiliaries, killed a hundred and sixty +of their warriors, and made the division of which Kahram was the leader +fly in all directions. His next feat was to attack another force, which +had confederated against him. + + With slackened rein he galloped o'er the field; + Blood gushed from every stroke of his sharp sword, + And reddened all the plain; a hundred warriors + Eighty and five, in treasure rich and mail, + Sunk underneath him, such his mighty power. + +His remaining object was to assail the centre, where Arjsp himself was +stationed; and thither he rapidly hastened. Arjsp, angry and alarmed at +this success, cried out, "What! is one man allowed to scathe all my +ranks, cannot my whole army put an end to his dreadful career?" The +soldiers replied, "No! he has a body of brass, and the vigor of an +elephant: our swords make no impression upon him, whilst with his sword +he can cut the body of a warrior, cased in mail, in two, with the +greatest ease. Against such a foe, what can we do?" Isfendiyr rushed +on; and after an overwhelming attack, Arjsp was compelled to quit his +ground and effect his escape. The Irnian troops were then ordered to +pursue the fugitives, and in revenge for the death of Lohursp, not to +leave a man alive. The carnage was in consequence terrible, and the +remaining Trnians were in such despair that they flung themselves from +their exhausted horses, and placing straw in their mouths to show the +extremity of their misfortune, called aloud for quarter. Isfendiyr was +moved at last to compassion, and put an end to the fight; and when he +came before Gushtsp, the mail on his body, from the number of arrows +sticking in it, looked like a field of reeds; about a thousand arrows +were taken out of its folds. Gushtsp kissed his head and face, and +blessed him, and prepared a grand banquet, and the city of Balkh +resounded with rejoicings on account of the great victory. + +Many days had not elapsed before a further enterprise was to be +undertaken. The sisters of Isfendiyr were still in confinement, and +required to be released. The prince readily complied with the wishes of +Gushtsp, who now repeated to him his desire to relinquish the cares of +sovereignty, and place the reins of government in his hands, that he +might devote himself entirely to the service of God. + + "To thee I yield the crown and throne, + Fit to be held by thee alone; + From worldly care and trouble free, + A hermit's cell is enough for me," + +But Isfendiyr replied, that he had no desire to be possessed of the +power; he rather wished for the prosperity of the king, and no change. + + "O, may thy life be long and blessed, + And ever by the good caressed; + For 'tis my duty still to be + Devoted faithfully to thee! + I want no throne, nor diadem; + My soul has no delight in them. + I only seek to give thee joy, + And gloriously my sword employ. + I thirst for vengeance on Arjsp: + To crush him in my iron grasp, + That from his thrall I may restore + My sisters to their home again, + Who now their heavy fate deplore, + And toiling drag a slavish chain." + "Then go!" the smiling monarch said, + Invoking blessings on his head, + "And may kind Heaven thy refuge be, + And lead thee on to victory." + +Isfendiyr now told his father that his prisoner Kurugsar was +continually requesting him to represent his condition in the royal ear, +saying, "Of what use will it be to put me to death? No benefit can arise +from such a punishment. Spare my life, and you will see how largely I am +able to contribute to your assistance." Gushtsp expressed his +willingness to be merciful, but demanded a guarantee on oath from the +petitioner that he would heart and soul be true and faithful to his +benefactor. The oath was sworn, after which his bonds were taken from +his hands and feet, and he was set at liberty. The king then called him, +and pressed him with goblets of wine, which made him merry. "I have +pardoned thee," said Gushtsp, "at the special entreaty of +Isfendiyr--be grateful to him, and be attentive to his commands." After +that, Isfendiyr took and conveyed him to his own house, that he might +have an opportunity of experiencing and proving the promised fidelity of +his new ally. + + + +THE HEFT-KHAN OF ISFENDIYR + + Rustem had seven great labours, wondrous power + Nerved his strong arm in danger's needful hour; + And now Firdusi's legend-strains declare + The seven great labours of Isfendiyr. + +The prince, who had determined to undertake the new expedition, and +appeared confident of success, now addressed himself to Kurugsar, and +said, "If I conquer the kingdom of Arjsp, and restore my sisters to +liberty, thou shalt have for thyself any principality thou may'st choose +within the boundaries of Irn and Trn, and thy name shall be exalted; +but beware of treachery or fraud, for falsehood shall certainly be +punished with death." To this Kurugsar replied, "I have already sworn a +solemn oath to the king, and at thy intercession he has spared my +life--why then should I depart from the truth, and betray my +benefactor?" + +"Then tell me the road to the brazen fortress, and how far it is distant +from this place?" said Isfendiyr. + +"There are three different routes," replied Kurugsar. "One will occupy +three months; it leads through a beautiful country, adorned with cities, +and gardens, and pastures, and is pleasant to the traveller. The second +is less attractive, the prospects less agreeable, and will only employ +two months; the third, however, may be accomplished in seven days, and +is thence called the Heft-khan, or seven stages; but at every stage some +monster, or terrible difficulty, must be overcome. No monarch, even +supported by a large army, has ever yet ventured to proceed by this +route; and if it is ever attempted, the whole party will be assuredly +lost. + + "Nor strength, nor juggling, nor the sorcerer's art + Can help him safely through that awful path, + Beset with wolves and dragons, wild and fierce, + From whom the fleetest have no power to fly. + There an enchantress, doubly armed with spells, + The most accomplished of that magic brood. + Spreads wide her snares to charm and to destroy, + And ills of every shape, and horrid aspect, + Cross the tired traveller at every step." + +At this description of the terrors of the Heft-khan, Isfendiyr became +thoughtful for awhile, and then, resigning himself to the providence of +God, resolved to take the shortest route. "No man can die before his +time," said he; "heaven is my protector, and I will fearlessly encounter +every difficulty on the road." "It is full of perils," replied Kurugsar, +and endeavored to dissuade him from the enterprise. "But with the +blessing of God," rejoined Isfendiyr, "it will be easy." The prince +then ordered a sumptuous banquet to be served, at which he gave Kurugsar +abundant draughts of wine, and even in a state of intoxication the +demon-guide still warned him against his proposed journey. "Go by the +route which takes two months," said he, "for that will be convenient and +safe;" but Isfendiyr replied:--"I neither fear the difficulties of the +route, nor the perils thou hast described." + + And though destruction spoke in every word, + Enough to terrify the stoutest heart, + Still he adhered to what he first resolved. + "Thou wilt attend me," said the dauntless prince; + And thus Kurugsar, without a pause, replied: + "Undoubtedly, if by the two months' way, + And do thee ample service; but if this + Heft-khan be thy election; if thy choice + Be fixed on that which leads to certain death, + My presence must be useless. Can I go + Where bird has never dared to wing its flight?" + +Isfendiyr, upon hearing these words, began to suspect the fidelity of +Kurugsar, and thought it safe to bind him in chains. The next day as he +was going to take leave of his father, Kurugsar called out to him, and +said: "After my promises of allegiance, and my solemn oath, why am I +thus kept in chains?" "Not out of anger assuredly; but out of compassion +and kindness, in order that I may take thee along with me on the +enterprise of the Heft-khan; for wert thou not bound, thy faint heart +might induce thee to run away. + + "Safe thou art when bound in chains, + Fettered foot can never fly. + Whilst thy body here remains, + We may on thy faith rely. + Terror will in vain assail thee; + For these bonds shall never fail thee. + Guarded by a potent charm, + They will keep thee free from harm." + +Isfendiyr having received the parting benediction of Gushtsp, was +supplied with a force consisting of twelve thousand chosen horsemen, and +abundance of treasure, to enable him to proceed on his enterprise, and +conquer the kingdom of Arjsp. + +First Stage.--Isfendiyr placed Kurugsar in bonds among his retinue, and +took with him his brother Bashtan. But the demon-guide complained that +he was unable to walk, and in consequence he was mounted on a horse, +still bound, and the bridle given into the hands of one of the warriors. +In this manner they proceeded, directed from time to time by Kurugsar, +till they arrived at the uttermost limits of the kingdom, and entered a +desert wilderness. Isfendiyr now asked what they would meet with, and +the guide answered, "Two monstrous wolves are in this quarter, as large +as elephants, and whose teeth are of immense length." The prince told +his people, that as soon as they saw the wolves, they must at once +attack them with arrows. The day passed away, and in the evening they +came to a forest and a murmuring stream, when suddenly the two enormous +wolves appeared, and rushed towards the legions of Isfendiyr. The +people seeing them advance, poured upon them a shower of arrows. +Several, however, were wounded, but the wolves were much exhausted by +the arrows which had penetrated their bodies. At this moment Bashtan +attacked one of them, and Isfendiyr the other; and so vigorous was +their charge, that both the monsters were soon laid lifeless in the +dust. After this signal overthrow, Isfendiyr turned to Kurugsar, and +exclaimed: "Thus, through the favor of Heaven, the first obstacle has +been easily extinguished!" The guide regarded him with amazement, and +said:--"I am indeed astonished at the intrepidity and valor that has +been displayed." + + Seeing the bravery of Isfendiyr, + Amazement filled the soul of Kurugsar. + +The warriors and the party now dismounted, and regaled themselves with +feasting and wine. They then reposed till the following morning. + +Second Stage.--Proceeding on the second journey, Isfendiyr inquired +what might now be expected to oppose their progress, and Kurugsar +replied: "This stage is infested by lions." "Then," rejoined Isfendiyr, +"thou shalt see with what facility I can destroy them." At about the +close of the day they met with a lion and a lioness. Bashtan said: +"Take one and I will engage the other." But Isfendiyr observed, that +the animals seemed very wild and ferocious, and he preferred attacking +them both himself, that his brother might not be exposed to any harm. He +first sallied forth against the lion, and with one mighty stroke put an +end to his life. He then approached the lioness, which pounced upon him +with great fury, but was soon compelled to desist, and the prince, +rapidly wielding his sword, in a moment cut off her head. Having thus +successfully accomplished the second day's task, he alighted from his +horse, and refreshments being spread out, the warriors and the troops +enjoyed themselves with great satisfaction, exhilarated by plenteous +draughts of ruby wine. Again Isfendiyr addressed Kurugsar, and said: +"Thou seest with what facility all opposition is removed, when I am +assisted by the favor of Heaven!" "But there are other and more terrible +difficulties to surmount, and amazing as thy achievements certainly have +been, thou wilt have still greater exertions to make before thy +enterprise is complete." "What is the next evil I have to subdue?" "An +enormous dragon, + + "With power to fascinate, and from the deep + To lure the finny tribe, his daily food. + Fire sparkles round him; his stupendous bulk + Looks like a mountain. When incensed, his roar + Makes the surrounding country shake with fear. + White poison-foam drops from his hideous jaws, + Which yawning wide, display a dismal gulf, + The grave of many a hapless being, lost + Wandering amidst that trackless wilderness." + +Kurugsar described or magnified the ferocity of the animal in such a +way, that Isfendiyr thought it necessary to be cautious, and with that +view he ordered a curious apparatus to be constructed on wheels, +something like a carriage, to which he fastened a large quantity of +pointed instruments, and harnessed horses to it to drag it on the road. +He then tried its motion, and found it admirably calculated for his +purpose. The people were astonished at the ingenuity of the invention, +and lauded him to the skies. + +Third Stage--Away went the prince, and having travelled a considerable +distance, Kurugsar suddenly exclaimed: "I now begin to smell the stench +of the dragon." Hearing this, Isfendiyr dismounted, ascended the +machine, and shutting the door fast, took his seat and drove off. +Bashtan and all the warriors upon witnessing this extraordinary act, +began to weep and lament, thinking that he was hurrying himself to +certain destruction, and begged that for his own sake, as well as +theirs, he would come out of the machine. But he replied: "Peace, peace! +what know ye of the matter;" and as the warlike apparatus was so +excellently contrived, that he could direct the movements of the horses +himself, he drove on with increased velocity, till he arrived in the +vicinity of the monster. + + The dragon from a distance heard + The rumbling of the wain, + And snuffing every breeze that stirred + Across the neighbouring plain, + + Smelt something human in his power, + A welcome scent to him; + For he was eager to devour + Hot reeking blood, or limb. + + And darkness now is spread around, + No pathway can be traced; + The fiery horses plunge and bound + Amid the dismal waste. + + And now the dragon stretches far + His cavern throat, and soon + Licks in the horses and the car, + And tries to gulp them down. + + But sword and javelin, sharp and keen, + Wound deep each sinewy jaw; + Midway, remains the huge machine, + And chokes the monster's maw. + + In agony he breathes, a dire + Convulsion fires his blood, + And struggling, ready to expire, + Ejects a poison-flood! + + And then disgorges wain and steeds, + And swords and javelins bright; + Then, as the dreadful dragon bleeds, + Up starts the warrior-knight, + And from his place of ambush leaps, + And, brandishing his blade, + The weapon in the brain he steeps, + And splits the monster's head. + + But the foul venom issuing thence, + Is so o'erpowering found, + Isfendiyr, deprived of sense, + Falls staggering to the ground! + +Upon seeing this result, and his brother in so deplorable a situation, +Bashtan and the troops also were in great alarm, apprehending the most +fatal consequences. They sprinkled rose-water over his face, and +administered other remedies, so that after some time he recovered; then +he bathed, purifying himself from the filth of the monster, and poured +out prayers of thankfulness to the merciful Creator for the protection +and victory he had given him. But it was matter of great grief to +Kurugsar that Isfendiyr had succeeded in his exploit, because under +present circumstances, he would have to follow him in the remaining +arduous enterprises; whereas, if the prince had been slain, his +obligations would have ceased forever. + +"What may be expected to-morrow?" inquired Isfendiyr. "To-morrow," +replied the demon-guide, "thou wilt meet with an enchantress, who can +convert the stormy sea into dry land, and the dry land again into the +ocean. She is attended by a gigantic ghoul, or apparition." "Then thou +shalt see how easily this enchantress and her mysterious attendant can +be vanquished." + +Fourth Stage.--On the fourth day Isfendiyr and his companions proceeded +on the destined journey, and coming to a pleasant meadow, watered by a +transparent rivulet, the party alighted, and they all refreshed +themselves heartily with various kinds of food and wine. In a short +space of time the enchantress appeared, most beautiful in feature and +elegant in attire, and approaching our hero with a sad but fascinating +expression of countenance, said to him (the ghoul, her pretended +paramour, being at a little distance):-- + + "I am a poor unhappy thing, + The daughter of a distant king. + This monster with deceit and fraud, + By a fond parent's power unawed, + Seduced me from my royal home, + Through wood and desert wild to roam; + And surely Heaven has brought thee now + To cheer my heart, and smooth my brow, + And free me from his loathed embrace, + And bear me to a fitter place, + Where, in thy circling arms more softly prest, + I may at last be truly loved, and blest." + +Isfendiyr immediately called her to him, and requested her to sit down. +The enchantress readily complied, anticipating a successful issue to her +artful stratagems; but the intended victim of her sorcery was too +cunning to be imposed upon. He soon perceived what she was, and +forthwith cast his kamund over her, and in spite of all her entreaties, +bound her too fast to escape. In this extremity, she successively +assumed the shape of a cat, a wolf, and a decrepit old man: and so +perfect were her transformations, that any other person would have been +deceived, but Isfendiyr detected her in every variety of appearance; +and, vexed by her continual attempts to cheat him, at last took out his +sword and cut her in pieces. As soon as this was done, a thick dark +cloud of dust and vapor arose, and when it subsided, a black apparition +of a demon burst upon his sight, with flames issuing from its mouth. +Determined to destroy this fresh antagonist, he rushed forward, sword in +hand, and though the flames, in the attack, burnt his cloth-armor and +dress, he succeeded in cutting off the threatening monster's head. +"Now," said he to Kurugsar, "thou hast seen that with the favor of +Heaven, both enchantress and ghoul are exterminated, as well as the +wolves, the lions, and the dragon." "Very well," replied Kurugsar, "thou +hast achieved this prodigious labor, but to-morrow will be a heavy day, +and thou canst hardly escape with life. To-morrow thou wilt be opposed +by the Smrgh, whose nest is situated upon a lofty mountain. She has +two young ones, each the size of an elephant, which she conveys in her +beak and claws from place to place." "Be under no alarm," said +Isfendiyr, "God will make the labor easy." + +Fifth Stage.--On the fifth day, Isfendiyr resumed his journey, +travelling with his little army over desert, plain, mountain, and +wilderness, until he reached the neighborhood of the Smrgh. He then +adopted the same stratagem which he had employed before, and the machine +supplied with swords and spears, and drawn by horses, was soon in +readiness for the new adventure. The Smrgh, seeing with surprise an +immense vehicle, drawn by two horses, approach at a furious rate, and +followed by a large company of horsemen, descended from the mountain, +and endeavored to take up the whole apparatus in her claws to carry it +away to her own nest; but her claws were lacerated by the sharp weapons, +and she was then obliged to try her beak. Both beak and claws were +injured in the effort, and the animal became extremely weakened by the +loss of blood. Isfendiyr seizing the happy moment, sprang out of the +carriage, and with his trenchant sword divided the Smrgh in two parts; +and the young ones, after witnessing the death of their parent, +precipitately fled from the fatal scene. When Bashtan, with the army, +came to the spot, they were amazed at the prodigious size of the +Smrgh, and the valor by which it had been subdued. Kurugsar turned +pale with astonishment and sorrow. "What will be our next adventure?" +said Isfendiyr to him. "To-morrow more pressing ills will surround +thee. Heavy snow will fall, and there will be a violent tempest of wind, +and it will be wonderful if even one man of thy legions remains alive. +That will not be like fighting against lions, a dragon, or the Smrgh, +but against the elements, against the Almighty, which never can be +successful. Thou hadst better therefore, return unhurt." The people on +hearing this warning were alarmed, and proposed to go back; "for if the +advice of Kurugsar is not taken, we shall all perish like the companions +of Kai-khosru, and lie buried under drifts of snow. + + "Let us return then, whilst we may; + Why should we throw our lives away?" + +But Isfendiyr replied that he had already overcome five of the perils +of the road, and had no fear about the remaining two. The people, +however, were still discontented, and still murmured aloud; upon which +the prince said, "Return then, and I will go alone. + + "I never can require the aid + Of men so easily dismayed." + +Finding their leader immovable, the people now changed their tone, and +expressed their devotion to his cause; declaring that whilst life +remained, they would never forsake him, no never. + +Sixth Stage.--On the following morning, the sixth, Isfendiyr continued +his labors, and hurried on with great speed. Towards evening he arrived +on the skirts of a mountain, where there was a running stream, and upon +that spot, he pitched his tents. + + Presently from the mountain there rushed down + A furious storm of wind, then heavy showers + Of snow fell, covering all the earth with whiteness, + And making desolate the prospect round. + Keen blew the blast, and pinching was the cold; + And to escape the elemental wrath, + Leader and soldier, in the caverned rock + Scooped out by mouldering time, took shelter, there + Continuing three long days. Three lingering days + Still fell the snow, and still the tempest raged, + And man and beast grew faint for want of food. + +Isfendiyr and his warriors, with heads exposed, now prostrated +themselves in solemn prayer to the Almighty, and implored his favor and +protection from the calamity which had befallen them. Happily their +prayers were heard, Heaven was compassionate, and in a short space the +snow and the mighty wind entirely ceased. By this fortunate interference +of Providence, the army was enabled to quit the caves of the mountain; +and then Isfendiyr again addressed Kurugsar triumphantly: "Thus the +sixth labor is accomplished. What have we now to fear?" The demon-guide +answered him and said: "From hence to the Brazen Fortress it is forty +farsangs. That fortress is the residence of Arjsp; but the road is full +of peril. For three farsangs the sand on the ground is as hot as fire, +and there is no water to be found during the whole journey." This +information made a serious impression upon the mind of Isfendiyr; who +said to him sternly: "If I find thee guilty of falsehood, I will +assuredly put thee to death." Kurugsar replied: "What! after six trials? +Thou hast no reason to question my veracity. I shall never depart from +the truth, and my advice is, that thou hadst better return; for the +seventh stage is not to be ventured upon by human strength. + + "Along those plains of burning sand + No bird can move, nor ant, nor fly; + No water slakes the fiery land, + Intensely glows the flaming sky. + No tiger fierce, nor lion ever + Could breathe that pestilential air; + Even the unsparing vulture never + Ventures on blood-stained pinions there. + +"At the distance of three farsangs beyond this inaccessible belt of +scorching country lies the Brazen Fortress, to which there is no visible +path; and if an army of a hundred thousand strong were to attempt its +reduction, there would not be the least chance of success." + +Seventh Stage.--When Isfendiyr heard these things, enough to alarm the +bravest heart, he turned towards his people to ascertain their +determination; when they unanimously repeated their readiness to +sacrifice their lives in his service, and to follow wherever he might be +disposed to lead the way. He then put Kurugsar in chains again, and +prosecuted his journey, until he reached the place said to be covered +with burning sand. Arrived on the spot, he observed to the demon-guide: +"Thou hast described the sand as hot, but it is not so." "True; and it +is on account of the heavy showers of snow that have fallen and cooled +the ground, a proof that thou art under the protection of the Almighty." +Isfendiyr smiled, and said: "Thou art all insincerity and deception, +thus to play upon my feelings with false or imaginary terrors." Saying +this he urged his soldiers to pass rapidly on, so as to leave the sand +behind them, and they presently came to a great river. Isfendiyr was +now angry with Kurugsar, and said: "Thou hast declared that for the +space of forty farsangs there was no water, every drop being everywhere +dried up by the burning heat of the sun, and here we find water! Why +didst thou also idly fill the minds of my soldiers with groundless +fears?" Kurugsar replied: "I will confess the truth. Did I not swear a +solemn oath to be faithful, and yet I was still doubted, and still +confined in irons, though the experience of six days of trial had proved +the correctness of my information and advice. For this reason I was +disappointed and displeased; and I must confess that I did, therefore, +exaggerate the dangers of the last day, in the hope too of inducing thee +to return and release me from my bonds. + + "For what have I received from thee, + But scorn, and chains, and slavery." + +Isfendiyr now struck off the irons from the hands and feet of his +demon-guide and treated him with favor and kindness, repeating to him +his promise to reward him at the close of his victorious career with the +government of a kingdom. Kurugsar was grateful for this change of +conduct to him, and again acknowledging the deception he had been guilty +of, hoped for pardon, engaging at the same time to take the party in +safety across the great river which had impeded their progress. This was +accordingly done, and the Brazen Fortress was now at no great distance. +At the close of the day they were only one farsang from the towers, but +Isfendiyr preferred resting till the next morning. "What is thy counsel +now?" said he to his guide. "What sort of a fortress is this which fame +describes in such dreadful colors?" "It is stronger than imagination can +conceive, and impregnable."--"Then how shall I get to Arjsp? + + "How shall I cleave the oppressor's form asunder, + The murderer of my grandsire, Lohursp? + The bravest heroes of Trn shall fall + Under my conquering sword; their wives and children + Led captive to Irn; and desolation + Scathe the whole realm beneath the tyrant's sway." + +But these words only roused and exasperated the feelings of Kurugsar, +who bitterly replied:-- + + "Then may calamity be thy reward, + Thy stars malignant, and thy life all sorrow; + And may'st thou perish, weltering in thy blood, + And the bare desert be thy lonely grave + For that inhuman thought, that cruel menace." + +Isfendiyr, upon hearing this unexpected language, became furious with +indignation, and instantly punished the offender on the spot; with one +stroke of his sword he cleft Kurugsar in twain. + +When the clouds of night had darkened the sky, Isfendiyr, with a number +of his warriors, proceeded towards the Brazen Fortress, and secretly +explored it on every side. He found it constructed entirely of iron and +brass; and, notwithstanding a strict examination at every point, +discovered no accessible part for attack. It was three farsangs high, +and forty wide; and such a place as was never before beheld by man. + + + +CAPTURE OF THE BRAZEN FORTRESS + +Isfendiyr returned from reconnoitring the fortress with acute feelings +of sorrow and despair. He was at last convinced that Kurugsar had spoken +the truth; for there seemed to be no chance whatever of taking the place +by any stratagem he could invent. Revolving the enterprise seriously in +his mind, he now began to repent of his folly, and the overweening +confidence which had led him to undertake the journey. Returning thus to +his tent in a melancholy mood, he saw a Fakr sitting down on the road, +and him he anxiously accosted. "What may be the number of the garrison +in this fort?" "There are a hundred thousand veteran warriors in the +service of Arjsp in the fort, with abundance of supplies of every kind, +and streams of pure water, so that nothing is wanted to foil an enemy." +This was very unwelcome intelligence to Isfendiyr, who now assembled +his officers to consider what was best to be done. They all agreed that +the reduction of the fortress was utterly impracticable, and that the +safest course for him would be to return. But he could not bring himself +to acquiesce in this measure, saying: "God is almighty, and beneficent, +and with him is the victory." He then reflected deeply and long, and +finally determined upon entering the fort disguised as a merchant. +Having first settled the mode of proceeding, he put Bashtan in +temporary charge of the army, saying:-- + + "This Brazen Fortress scorns all feats of arms, + Nor sword nor spear, nor battle-axe, can here + Be wielded to advantage; stratagem + Must be employed, or we shall never gain + Possession of its wide-extended walls, + Placing my confidence in God alone + I go with rich and curious wares for sale, + To take the credulous people by surprise, + Under the semblance of a peaceful merchant." + +Isfendiyr then directed a hundred dromedaries to be collected, and when +they were brought to him he disposed of them in the following manner. He +loaded ten with embroidered cloths, five with rubies and sapphires, and +five more with pearls and other precious jewels. Upon each of the +remaining eighty he placed two chests, and in each chest a warrior was +secreted, making in all one hundred and sixty; and one hundred more were +disposed as camel-drivers and servants. Thus the whole force, consisting +of a hundred dromedaries and two hundred and sixty warriors, set off +towards the Brazen Fortress, Isfendiyr having first intimated to his +brother Bashtan to march with his army direct to the gates of the fort, +as soon as he saw a column of flame and smoke ascend from the interior. +On the way they gave out that they were merchants come with valuable +goods from Persia, and hoped for custom. The tidings of travellers +having arrived with rubies and gold-embroidered garments for sale, soon +reached the ears of Arjsp, the king, who immediately gave them +permission to enter the fort. When Isfendiyr, the reputed master of the +caravan, had got within the walls, he said that he had brought rich +presents for the king, and requested to be introduced to him in person. +He was accordingly allowed to take the presents himself, was received +with distinguished attention, and having stated his name to be Kherd, +was invited to go to the royal palace, whenever, and as often as, he +might please. At one of the interviews the king asked him, as he had +come from Persia, if he knew whether the report was true or not that +Kurugsar had been put to death, and what Gushtsp and Isfendiyr were +engaged upon. The hero in disguise replied that it was five months since +he left Persia; but he had heard on the road from many persons that +Isfendiyr intended proceeding by the way of the Heft-khan with a vast +army, towards the Brazen Fortress. At these words Arjsp smiled in +derision, and said: "Ah! ah! by that way even the winged tribe are +afraid to venture; and if Isfendiyr had a thousand lives, he would lose +them all in any attempt to accomplish that journey." After this +interview Isfendiyr daily continued to attend to the sale of his +merchandise, and soon found that his sisters were employed in the +degrading office of drawing and carrying water for the kitchen of +Arjsp. When they heard that a caravan had arrived from Irn, they went +to Isfendiyr (who recognized them at a distance, but hid his face that +they might not know him), to inquire what tidings he had brought about +their father and brother. Alarmed at the hazard of discovery, he replied +that he knew nothing, and desired them to depart; but they remained, and +said: "On thy return to Irn, at least, let it be known that here we +are, two daughters of Gushtsp, reduced to the basest servitude, and +neither father nor brother takes compassion upon our distresses. + + "Whilst with bare head, and naked feet, we toil, + They pass their time in peace and happiness, + Regardless of the misery we endure." + +Isfendiyr again, in assumed anger, told them to depart, saying: "Talk +not to me of Gushtsp and Isfendiyr--what have I to do with them?" At +that moment the sound of his voice was recognized by the elder sister, +who, in a transport of joy, instantly communicated her discovery to the +younger; but they kept the secret till night, and then they returned to +commune with their brother. Isfendiyr finding that he was known, +acknowledged himself, and informed them that he had undertaken to +restore them to liberty, and that he was now engaged in the enterprise, +opposing every obstacle in his way; but it was necessary that they +should continue their usual labor at the wells, till a fitting +opportunity occurred. + +For the purpose of accelerating the moment of release, Isfendiyr +represented to the king that at a period of great adversity, he had made +a vow that he would give a splendid banquet if ever Heaven again smiled +upon him, and as he then was in the way to prosperity, and wished to +fulfil his vow, he hoped that his majesty would honor him with his +presence on the occasion. The king accepted the invitation with +satisfaction, and said: "To-morrow I will be thy guest, at thy own +house, and with all my warriors and soldiers." But this did not suit the +scheme of the pretended merchant, who apologized on account of his house +being too small, and proposed that the feast should be held upon the +loftiest part of the fortress, where spacious tents and pavilions might +be erected for the purpose, and a large fire lighted to give splendor to +the scene. The king assented, and every requisite preparation being +made, all the royal and warrior guests assembled in the morning, and +eagerly partook of the rich viands set before them. They all drank wine +with such relish and delight, that they soon became intoxicated, and +Kherd seizing the opportunity, ordered the logs of wood which had been +collected, to be set on fire, and rapidly the smoke and flame sprung up, +and ascended to the sky. Bashtan saw the looked-for sign, and hastened +with two thousand horsemen to the gates of the fortress, where he slew +every one that he met, calling himself Isfendiyr. Arjsp had enjoyed +the banquet exceedingly; the music gave him infinite pleasure, and the +wine had intoxicated him; but in the midst of his hilarity and +merriment, he was told that Isfendiyr had reached the gates, and +entered the fort, killing immense numbers of his people. This terrible +intelligence roused him and quitting the festive board of Kherd, he +ordered his son Kahram, with fifty thousand horsemen, to repel the +invader. He also ordered forty thousand horsemen to protect different +parts of the walls, and ten thousand to remain as his own personal +guard. Kahram accordingly issued forth without delay, and soon engaged +in battle with the force under Bashtan. + +When night came, Isfendiyr opened the lids of the chests, and let out +the hundred and sixty warriors, whom he supplied with swords and spears, +and armor, and also the hundred who were disguised as camel-drivers and +servants. + + With this bold band he sped, + Whither Arjsp had fled; + And all who fought around, + To keep untouched that sacred ground; + (Resistance weak and vain,) + By him were quickly slain. + +The sisters of Isfendiyr now arrived, and pointed out to him the +chamber of Arjsp, to which place he immediately repaired, and roused up +the king, who was almost insensible with the fumes of wine. Arjsp, +however, sprang upon his feet, + + And grappled stoutly with Isfendiyr, + And desperate was the conflict: head and loins + Alternately received deep gaping wounds + From sword and dagger. Wearied out at length, + Arjsp shrunk back, when with one mighty blow, + Isfendiyr, exulting in his power, + Cleft him asunder. + +Two of the wives, two daughters, and one sister of Arjsp fell +immediately into the hands of the conqueror, who delivered them into the +custody of his son, to be conveyed home. He then quitted the palace, and +turning his steps towards the gates of the fortress, slew a great number +of the enemy. + +Kahram, in the meantime, had been fiercely engaged with Bashtan, and +was extremely reduced. At the very moment too of his discomfiture, he +heard the watchmen call out aloud that Arjsp had been slain by Kherd. +Confounded and alarmed by these tidings, he approached the fort, where +he heard the confirmation of his misfortune from every mouth, and also +that the garrison had been put to the sword. Leading on the remainder of +his troops he now came in contact with Isfendiyr and his two hundred +and sixty warriors, and a sharp engagement ensued; but the coming up of +Bashtan's force on his rear, placed him in such a predicament on every +side, that defeat and destruction were almost inevitable. In short, +Kahram was left with only a few of his soldiers near him, when +Isfendiyr, observing his situation, challenged him to personal combat, +and the challenge was accepted. + + So closely did the eager warriors close, + They seemed together joined, and but one man. + At last Isfendiyr seized Kahram's girth, + And flung him to the ground, and bound his hands; + And as a leaf is severed from its stalk, + So he the head cleft from its quivering trunk; + Thus one blow wins, and takes away a throne, + In battle heads are trodden under hoofs, + Crowns under heads. + +After the death of Kahram, Isfendiyr issued a proclamation, offering +full pardon to all who would unite under his banners. They had no king. + + The country had no throne, no crown. Alas! + What is the world without a governor, + What, but a headless trunk? A thing more worthless + Than the vile dust upon the common road. + What could the people do in their despair? + They were obedient, and Isfendiyr + Encouraged them with kind and gentle words, + Fitting a generous and a prudent master. + +Having first written to his father an account of the great victory which +he had gained, he occupied himself in reducing all the surrounding +provinces and their inhabitants to subjection. Those people who +continued hostile to him he deemed it necessary to put to death. He took +all the women of Arjsp into his own service, and their daughters he +presented to his own sons. + + Not a warrior of Chn remained; + The king of Trn was swept away; + And the realm where in pomp he had reigned, + Where he basked in prosperity's ray, + Was spoiled by the conqueror's brand, + Desolation marked every scene, + And a stranger now governed the mountainous land, + Where the splendour of Poshang had been. + Not a dirhem of treasure was left; + For nothing eluded the conqueror's grasp; + Of all was the royal pavilion bereft; + All followed the fate of Arjsp! + +When Gushtsp received information of this mighty conquest, he sent +orders to Isfendiyr to continue in the government of the new empire; +but the prince replied that he had settled the country, and was anxious +to see his father. This request being permitted, he was desired to bring +away all the immense booty, and return by the road of the Heft-khan. +Arriving at the place where he was overtaken by the dreadful +winter-storm, he again found all the property he had lost under the +drifts of snow; and when he had accomplished his journey, he was +received with the warmest welcome and congratulations, on account of his +extraordinary successes. A royal feast was prepared, and the king filled +his son's goblet with wine so repeatedly, and drank himself so +frequently, and with such zest, that both of them at length became +intoxicated. Gushtsp then asked Isfendiyr to describe to him the +particulars of his expedition by the road of the Heft-khan; for though +he had heard the story from others, he wished to have it from his own +mouth. But Isfendiyr replied: "We have both drank too much wine, and +nothing good can proceed from a drunken man; I will recite my adventures +to-morrow, when my head is clear." The next day Gushtsp, seated upon +his throne, and Isfendiyr placed before him on a golden chair, again +asked for the prince's description of his triumphant progress by the +Heft-khan, and according to his wish every incident that merited notice +was faithfully detailed to him. The king expressed great pleasure at the +conclusion; but envy and suspicion lurked in his breast, and writhing +internally like a serpent, he still delayed fulfilling his promise to +invest Isfendiyr, upon the overthrow of Arjsp, with the sovereignty of +Irn. + +The prince could not fail to observe the changed disposition of his +father, and privately went to Kitabn, his mother, to whom he related +the solemn promise and engagement of Gushtsp, and requested her to go +to him, and say: "Thou hast given thy royal word to Isfendiyr, that +when he had conquered and slain Arjsp, and restored his own sisters to +liberty, thou wouldst place upon his head the crown of Irn; faith and +honor are indispensable in princes, they are inculcated by religion, and +yet thou hast failed to make good thy word." But the mother had more +prudence, and said: "Let me give thee timely counsel, and breathe not a +syllable to any one on the subject. God forbid that thou shouldst again +be thrown into prison, and confined in chains. Recollect thine is the +succession; the army is in thy favor; thy father is old and infirm. Have +a little patience and in the end thou wilt undoubtedly be the King of +Persia. + + "The gold and jewels, the imperial sway, + The crown, the throne, the army, all he owns, + Will presently be thine; then wait in patience, + And reign, in time, the monarch of the world." + +Isfendiyr, however, was not contented with his mother's counsel, and +suspecting that she would communicate to the king what he had said, he +one day, as if under the influence of wine, thus addressed his father: +"In what way have I failed to accomplish thy wishes? Have I not +performed such actions as never were heard of, and never will be +performed again, in furtherance of thy glory? I have overthrown thy +greatest enemy, and supported thy honor with ceaseless toil and +exertion. Is it not then incumbent on thee to fulfil thy promise?" +Gushtsp replied: "Do not be impatient--the throne is thine;" but he was +deeply irritated at heart on being thus reproached by his own son. When +he retired he consulted with Jamsp, and was anxious to know what the +stars foretold. The answer was: "He is of exalted fortune, of high +destiny; he will overcome all his enemies, and finally obtain the +sovereignty of the heft-aklm, or seven climes." This favorable prophecy +aggravated the spleen of the father against the son, and he inquired +with bitter and unnatural curiosity: "What will be his death? Look to +that." + + "A deadly dart from Rustem's bow, + Will lay the glorious warrior low." + +These tidings gladdened the heart of Gushtsp, and he said: "If this +miscreant had been slain in his expedition to the Brazen Fortress I +should not now have been insulted with his claim to my throne." The king +then having resolved upon a scheme of deep dissimulation, ordered a +gorgeous banquet, and invited to it all his relations and warriors; and +when the guests were assembled he said to Isfendiyr: "The crown and the +throne are thine; indeed, who is there so well qualified for imperial +sway?" and turning to his warriors, he spoke of him with praise and +admiration, and added: "When I was entering upon the war against Arjsp, +before I quitted Sstn, I said to Rustem: 'Lohursp, my father, is +dead, my wife and children made prisoners, wilt thou assist me in +punishing the murderer and oppressor?' but he excused himself, and +remained at home, and although I have since been involved in numberless +perils, he has not once by inquiry shown himself interested in my +behalf; in short, he boasts that Kai-khosru gave him the principalities +of Zbul and Kbul, and Nm-rz, and that he owes no allegiance to me! +It behooves me, therefore, to depute Isfendiyr to go and put him to +death, or bring him before me in bonds alive. After that I shall have no +enemy to be revenged upon, and I shall retire from the world, and leave +to Isfendiyr the crown and the throne of Persia, with confidence and +satisfaction." All the nobles and heroes present approved of the +measure, and the king, gratified by their approbation, then turned to +Isfendiyr, and said: "I have sworn on the Zendavesta, to relinquish my +power, and place it in thy hands, as soon as Rustem is subdued. Take +whatever force the important occasion may require, for the whole +resources of the empire shall be at thy command," But Isfendiyr thus +replied: "Remember the first time I defeated Arjsp--what was my reward? +Through the machinations of Gurzam I was thrown into prison and chained. +And what is my reward now that I have slain both Arjsp and his son in +battle? Thy solemn promise to me is forgotten, or disregarded. The +prince who forgets one promise will forget another, if it be convenient +for his purpose. + + "Whenever the Heft-khan is brought to mind, + I feel a sense of horror. But why should I + Repeat the story of those great exploits! + God is my witness, how I slew the wolf, + The lion, and the dragon; how I punished + That fell enchantress with her thousand wiles; + And how I suffered, midst the storm of snow, + Which almost froze the blood within my veins; + And how that vast unfathomable deep + We crossed securely. These are deeds which awaken + Wonder and praise in others, not in thee! + The treasure which I captured now is thine; + And what is my reward?--the interest, sorrow. + Thus am I cheated of my recompense. + It is the custom for great kings to keep + Religiously their pledged, affianced word; + But thou hast broken thine, despite of honour. + + "I do remember in my early youth, + It was in Rm, thou didst perform a feat + Of gallant daring; for thou didst destroy + A dragon and a wolf, but thou didst bear + Thyself most proudly, thinking human arm + Never before had done a deed so mighty; + Yes, thou wert proud and vain, and seemed exalted + Up to the Heavens; and for that noble act + What did thy father do? The king for that + Gave thee with joyous heart his crown and throne. + Now mark the difference; think what I have done, + What perils I sustained, and for thy sake! + Thy foes I vanquished, clearing from thy mind + The gnawing rust of trouble and affliction. + Monsters I slew, reduced the Brazen Fortress, + And laid Arjsp's whole empire at thy feet, + And what was my reward? Neglect and scorn. + Did I deserve this at a father's hands?" + +Gushtsp remained unmoved by this sharp rebuke, though he readily +acknowledged its justice. "The crown shall be thine," said he, "but +consider my position. Think, too, what services Zl and Rustem performed +for Kai-khosru, and shall I expect less from my own son, gifted as he +is with a form of brass, and the most prodigious valor? Forbid it, +Heaven! that any rumor of our difference should get abroad in the world, +which would redound to the dishonor of both! Nearly half of Irn is in +the possession of Rustem." "Give me the crown," said Isfendiyr, "and I +will immediately proceed against the Zabl champion." "I have given thee +both the crown and the throne, take with thee my whole army, and all my +treasure.--What wouldst thou have more? He who has conquered the +terrific obstacles of the Heft-khan, and has slain Arjsp and subdued +his entire kingdom, can have no cause to fear the prowess of Rustem, or +any other chief." Isfendiyr replied that he had no fear of Rustem's +prowess; he was now old, and therefore not equal to himself in strength; +still he had no wish to oppose him:-- + + "For he has been the monitor and friend + Of our Kainian ancestors; his care + Enriched their minds, and taught them to be brave; + And he was ever faithful to their cause. + Besides," said he, "thou wert the honoured guest + Of Rustem two long years; and at Sstn + Enjoyed his hospitality and friendship, + His festive, social board; and canst thou now, + Forgetting that delightful intercourse, + Become his bitterest foe?" + +Gushtsp replied:-- + + "Tis true he may have served my ancestors; + But what is that to me? His spirit is proud, + And he refused to yield me needful aid + When danger pressed; that is enough, and thou + Canst not divert me from my settled purpose. + Therefore, if thy aim be still + To rule, thy father's wish fulfil; + Quickly trace the distant road; + Quick invade the chiefs abode; + Bind his feet, and bind his hands + In a captive's galling bands; + Bring him here, that all may know + Thou hast quelled the mighty foe." + +But Isfendiyr was still reluctant, and implored him to relinquish his +design. + + "For if resolved, a gloomy cloud + Will quickly all thy glories shroud, + And dim thy brilliant throne; + I would not thus aspire to reign, + But rather, free from crime, remain + Sequestered and alone." + +Again Gushtsp spoke, and said: "There is no necessity for any further +delay. Thou art appointed my successor, and the crown and the throne are +thine; thou hast therefore only to march to the scene of action, and +accomplish the object of the war." Hearing this, Isfendiyr sullenly +retired to his own house, and Gushtsp, perceiving that he was in an +angry mood, requested Jamsp (his minister) to ascertain the state of +his mind, and whether he intended to proceed to Sstn or not. Jamsp +immediately went, and Isfendiyr asked him, as his friend, what he would +advise. "The commands of a father," he replied, "must be obeyed." There +was now no remedy, and the king being informed that the prince consented +to undertake the expedition, no further discussion took place. + +But Kitabn was deeply affected when she heard of these proceedings, and +repaired instantly to her son, to represent to him the hopelessness of +the enterprise he had engaged to conduct. + + "A mother's counsel is a golden treasure, + Consider well, and listen not to folly. + Rustem, the champion of the world, will never + Suffer himself to be confined in bonds. + Did he not conquer the White Demon, fill + The world with blood, in terrible revenge, + When Saiwush was by Afrsiyb + Cruelly slain? O, curses on the throne, + And ruin seize the country, which returns + Evil for good, and spurns its benefactor. + Restrain thy steps, engage not in this war; + It cannot do thee honour. Hear my voice! + For Rustem still can conquer all the world." + Hear the safe counsel of thy anxious mother! + Thus spoke Kitabn, shedding ceaseless tears; + And thus Isfendiyr: "I fear not Rustem; + I fear not his prodigious power and skill; + But never can I on so great a hero + Place ignominious bonds; it must not be. + Yet, mother dear, my faithful word is pledged; + My word Jamsp has taken to the king, + And I must follow where my fortune leads." + +The next morning Isfendiyr took leave of the king, and with a vast +army, and immense treasure, commenced his march towards Sstn. It +happened that one of the camels in advance laid down, and though beaten +severely, could not be made to get up on its legs. Isfendiyr, seeing +the obstinacy of the animal, ordered it to be killed, and passed on. The +people, however, interpreted the accident as a bad omen, and wished him +not to proceed; but he could not attend to their suggestions, as he +thought the king would look upon it as a mere pretence, and therefore +continued his journey. + +When he approached Sstn, he sent Bahman, his eldest son, to Rustem, +with a flattering message, to induce the champion to honor him with an +istakbl, or deputation to receive him. Upon Bahman's arrival, however, +he hesitated and delayed, being reluctant to give a direct answer; but +Zl interposed, saying: "Why not immediately wait upon the prince?--have +we not always been devoted to the Kainian dynasty?--Go and bring him +hither, that we may tender him our allegiance, and entertain him at our +mansion as becomes his illustrious birth," Accordingly Rustem went out +to welcome Isfendiyr, and alighting from Rakush, proceeded respectfully +on foot to embrace him. He then invited him to his house, but Isfendiyr +said: "So strict are my father's commands, that after having seen thee, +I am not permitted to delay my departure." Rustem, however, pressed him +to remain with him, but all in vain. On the contrary the prince artfully +conducted him to his own quarters, where he addressed him thus: "If thou +wilt allow me to bind thee, hand and foot, in chains, I will convey thee +to the king my father, whose humor it is to see thee once in fetters, +and then to release thee!" Rustem was silent. Again Isfendiyr said: "If +thou art not disposed to comply with this demand, go thy ways," Rustem +replied: "First be my guest, as thy father once was, and after that I +will conform to thy will." Again the prince said: "My father visited +thee under other circumstances; I have come for a different purpose. If +I eat thy bread and salt, and after that thou shouldst refuse thy +acquiescence, I must have recourse to force. But if I become thy guest, +how can I in honor fight with thee? and if I do not take thee bound into +my father's presence, according to his command, what answer shall I give +to him?" "For the same reason," said Rustem; "how can I eat thy bread +and salt?" Isfendiyr then replied: "Thou needest not eat my bread and +salt, but only drink wine.--Bring thy own pure ruby." To this Rustem +agreed, and they drank, each his own wine, together. + +In a short space Rustem observed that he wished to consult his father +Zl; and being allowed to depart, he, on his return home, described in +strong terms of admiration the personal appearance and mental qualities +of Isfendiyr. + + "In wisdom ripe, and with a form + Of brass to meet the battle-storm, + Thou wouldst confess his every boon, + Had been derived from Feridn." + +Bashtan in the meanwhile observed to his brother, with some degree of +dissatisfaction, that his enemy had come into his power, on his own feet +too, but had been strangely permitted to go away again. To this gentle +reproof Isfendiyr confidently replied, "If he does fail to return, I +will go and secure him in bonds, even in his own house,"--"Ah!" said +Bashtan, "that might be done by gentleness, but not by force, for the +descendant of Sm, the champion of the world, is not to be subdued so +easily." These words had a powerful effect upon the mind of Isfendiyr, +and he became apprehensive that Rustem would not return; but whilst he +was still murmuring at his own want of vigilance, the champion appeared, +and at this second interview repeated his desire that the prince would +become his guest. "I am sent here by my father, who relies upon thy +accepting his proffered hospitality."--"That may be," said Isfendiyr, +"but I am at my utmost limit, I cannot go farther. From this place, +therefore, thou hadst better prepare to accompany me to Irn." Here +Rustem paused, and at length artfully began to enumerate his various +achievements, and to blazon his own name. + + "I fettered fast the emperor of Chin, + And broke the enchantment of the Seven Khans; + I stood the guardian of the Persian kings, + Their shield in danger. I have cleared the world + Of all their foes, enduring pain and toil + Incalculable. Such exploits for thee + Will I achieve, such sufferings will I bear, + And hence we offer thee a social welcome. + But let not dark suspicion cloud thy mind, + Nor think thyself exalted as the heavens, + Because I thus invite thee to our home." + +Isfendiyr felt so indignant and irritated by this apparent boasting and +self-sufficiency of Rustem, that his first impulse was to cast a dagger +at him; but he kept down his wrath, and satisfied himself with giving +him a scornful glance, and telling him to take a seat on his left hand. +But Rustem resented this affront, saying that he never yet had sat down +on the left of any king, and placed himself, without permission, on the +right hand of Isfendiyr. The unfavorable impression on the prince's +mind was increased by this independent conduct, and he was provoked to +say to him, "Rustem! I have heard that Zl, thy father, was of demon +extraction, and that Sm cast him into the desert because of his +disgusting and abominable appearance; that even the hungry Smrgh, on +the same account, forebore to feed upon him, but conveyed him to her +nest among her own young ones, who, pitying his wretched condition, +supplied him with part of the carrion they were accustomed to devour. +Naked and filthy, he is thus said to have subsisted on garbage, till Sm +was induced to commiserate his wretchedness, and take him to Sstn, +where, by the indulgence of his family and royal bounty, he was +instructed in human manners and human science." This was a reproach and +an insult too biting for Rustem to bear with any degree of patience, and +frowning with strong indignation, he said, "Thy father knows, and thy +grandfather well knew that Zl was the son of Sm, and Sm of Narmn, +and that Narmn was descended from Hsheng. Thou and I, therefore, have +the same origin. Besides, on my mother's side, I am descended from +Zohk, so that by both parents I am of a race of princes. Knowest thou +not that the Irnian empire was for some time in my hands, and that I +refused to retain it, though urged by the nobles and the army to +exercise the functions of royalty? It was my sense of justice, and +attachment to the Kais and to thy family, which have enabled thee to +possess thy present dignity and command. It is through my fidelity and +zeal that thou art now in a situation to reproach me. Thou hast slain +one king, Arjsp, how many kings have I slain? Did I not conquer +Afrsiyb, the greatest and bravest king that ever ruled over Trn? And +did I not also subdue the king of Hmvern, and the Khakn of Chn? +Ks, thy own ancestor, I released from the demons of Mzindern. I slew +the White Demon, and the tremendous giant, Akwn Dw. Can thy +insignificant exploits be compared with mine? Never!" Rustem's +vehemence, and the disdainful tone of his voice, exasperated still more +the feelings of Isfendiyr, who however recollected that he was under +his roof, otherwise he would have avenged himself instantly on the spot. +Restraining his anger, he then said softly to him, "Wherefore dost thou +raise thy voice so high? For though thy head be exalted to the skies, +thou wert, and still art, but a dependent on the Kais. And was thy +Heft-khan equal in terrible danger to mine? Was the capture of +Mzindern equal in valorous exertion to the capture of the Brazen +Fortress? And did I not, by the power of my sword, diffuse throughout +the world the blessings of my own religion, the faith of the +fire-worshipper, which was derived from Heaven itself? Thou hast +performed the duties of a warrior and a servant, whilst I have performed +the holy functions of a sovereign and a prophet!" Rustem, in reply, +said:-- + + "In thy Heft-khan thou hadst twelve thousand men + Completely armed, with ample stores and treasure, + Whilst Rakush and my sword, my conquering sword, + Were all the aid I had, and all I sought, + In that prodigious enterprise of mine. + Two sisters thou released--no arduous task, + Whilst I recovered from the demon's grasp + The mighty Ks, and the monsters slew, + Roaring like thunder in their dismal caves. + + "This great exploit my single arm achieved; + And when Kai-khosru gave the regal crown + To Lohursp, the warriors were incensed, + And deemed Frburz, Ks's valiant son, + Fittest by birth to rule. My sire and I + Espoused the cause of Lohursp; else he + Had never sat upon the throne, nor thou + Been here to treat with scorn thy benefactor. + And now Gushtsp, with foul ingratitude, + Would bind me hand and foot! But who on earth + Can do that office? I am not accustomed + To hear harsh terms, and cannot brook their sting, + Therefore desist. Once in Ks's court, + When I was moved to anger, I poured out + Upon him words of bitterest scorn and rage, + And though surrounded by a thousand chiefs, + Not one attempted to repress my fury, + Not one, but all stood silent and amazed." + + "Smooth that indignant brow," the prince replied + "And measure not my courage nor my strength + With that of Ks; had he nerve like mine? + Thou might'st have kept the timorous king in awe, + But I am come myself to fetter thee!" + So saying, he the hand of Rustem grasped, + And wrung it so intensely, that the champion + Felt inwardly surprised, but careless said, + "The time is not yet come for us to try + Our power in battle." Then Isfendiyr + Dropped Rustem's hand, and spoke, "To-day let wine + Inspire our hearts, and on the field to-morrow + Be ours the strife, with battle-axe and sword, + And my first aim shall be to bind thee fast, + And show thee to my troops, Rustem in fetters!" + + At this the champion smiled, and thus exclaimed, + "Where hast thou seen the deeds of warriors brave? + Where hast thou heard the clash of mace and sword + Wielded by men of valour? I to-morrow + Will take thee in my arms, and straight convey thee + To Zl, and place thee on the ivory throne, + And on thy head a crown of gold shall glitter. + The treasury I will open, and our troops + Shall fight for thee, and I will gird my loins + As they were girt for thy bold ancestors; + And when thou art the chosen king, and I + Thy warrior-chief, the world will be thy own; + No other sovereign need attempt to reign." + +"So much time has been spent in vain boasting, and extravagant +self-praise," rejoined Isfendiyr, "that the day is nearly done, and I +am hungry; let us therefore take some refreshment together." Rustem's +appetite being equally keen, the board was spread, and every dish that +was brought to him he emptied at once, as if at one swallow; then he +threw aside the goblets, and called for the large flagon that he might +drink his fill without stint. When he had finished several dishes and as +many flagons of wine, he paused, and Isfendiyr and the assembled chiefs +were astonished at the quantity he had devoured. He now prepared to +depart, and the prince said to him, "Go and consult with thy father: if +thou art contented to be bound, well; if not, thou wilt have cause to +repent, for I will assuredly attend to the commands of Gushtsp."--"Do +thou also consult with thy brethren and friends," replied Rustem, +"whether thou wilt be our guest to-morrow, or not; if not, come to this +place before sunrise, that we may decide our differences in battle." +Isfendiyr said, "My most anxious desire, my wish to heaven, is to meet +thee, for I shall have no difficulty in binding thee hand and foot. I +would indeed willingly convey thee without fetters to my father, but if +I did so, he would say that I was unable to put thee in bonds, and that +would disgrace my name." Rustem observed that the immense number of men +and demons he had contended against was as nothing in the balance of his +mind compared with the painful subject of his present thoughts and +fears. He was ready to engage, but afraid of meriting a bad name. + + "If in the battle thou art slain by me, + Will not my cheek turn pale among the princes + Of the Kainian race, having cut off + A lovely branch of that illustrious tree? + Will not reproaches hang upon my name + When I am dead, and shall I not be cursed + For perpetrating such a horrid deed? + Thy father, too, is old, and near his end, + And thou upon the eve of being crowned; + And in thy heart thou knowest that I proffered, + And proffer my allegiance and devotion, + And would avoid the conflict. Sure, thy father + Is practising some trick, some foul deception, + To urge thee on to an untimely death, + To rid himself of some unnatural fear, + He stoops to an unnatural, treacherous act, + For I have ever been the firm support + Of crown and throne, and perfectly he knows + No mortal ever conquered me in battle, + None ever from my sword escaped his life." + + Then spoke Isfendiyr: "Thou wouldst be generous + And bear a spotless name, and tarnish mine; + But I am not to be deceived by thee: + In fetters thou must go!" Rustem replied: + "Banish that idle fancy from thy brain; + Dream not of things impossible, for death + Is busy with thee; pause, or thou wilt die." + "No more!" exclaimed the prince, "no more of this. + Nor seek to frighten me with threatening words; + Go, and to-morrow bring with thee thy friends, + Thy father and thy brother, to behold + With their own eyes thy downfall, and lament + In sorrow over thy impending fate." + "So let it be," said Rustem, and at once + Mounted his noble horse, and hastened home. + +The champion immediately requested his father's permission to go and +fight Isfendiyr the following day, but the old man recommended +reconciliation and peace. "That cannot be," said Rustem, "for he has +reviled thee so severely, and heaped upon me so many indignities, that +my patience is exhausted, and the contest unavoidable." In the morning +Zl, weeping bitterly, tied on Rustem's armor himself, and in an agony +of grief, said: "If thou shouldst kill Isfendiyr, thy name will be +rendered infamous throughout the world; and if thou shouldst be killed, +Sstn will be prostrate in the dust, and extinguished forever! My heart +shudders at the thoughts of this battle, but there is no remedy." Rustem +said to him:--"Put thy trust in God, and be not sorrowful, for when I +grasp my sword the head of the enemy is lost; but my desire is to take +Isfendiyr alive, and not to kill him. I would serve him, and not sever +his head from his body." Zl was pleased with this determination, and +rejoiced that there was a promise of a happy issue to the engagement. + +In the morning Rustem arrayed himself in his war-attire, helmet and +breast-plate, and mounted Rakush, also armed in his bargustuwan. His +troops, too, were all assembled, and Zl appointed Zra to take charge +of them, and be careful of his brother on all occasions where assistance +might be necessary. The old man then prostrated himself in prayer, and +said, "O God, turn from us all affliction, and vouchsafe to us a +prosperous day." Rustem being prepared for the struggle, directed Zra +to wait with the troops at a distance, whilst he went alone to meet +Isfendiyr. When Bashtan first saw him, he thought he was coming to +offer terms of peace, and said to Isfendiyr, "He is coming alone, and +it is better that he should go to thy father of his own accord, than in +bonds."--"But," replied Isfendiyr, "he is coming completely equipped in +mail--quick, bring me my arms."--"Alas!" rejoined Bashtan, "thy brain +is wild, and thou art resolved upon fighting. This impetuous spirit will +break my heart." But Isfendiyr took no notice of the gentle rebuke. +Presently he saw Rustem ascend a high place, and heard his summons to +single combat. He then told his brother to keep at a distance with the +army, and not to interfere till aid was positively required. Insisting +rigidly on these instructions, he mounted his night-black charger, and +hastened towards Rustem, who now proposed to him that they should wait +awhile, and that in the meantime the two armies might be put in motion +against each other. "Though," said he, "my men of Zbul are few, and +thou hast a numerous host." + + "This is a strange request," replied the prince, + "But thou art all deceit and artifice; + Mark thy position, lofty and commanding, + And mine, beneath thee--in a spreading vale. + Now, Heaven forbid that I, in reckless mood, + Should give my valiant legions to destruction, + And look unpitying on! No, I advance, + Whoever may oppose me; and if thou + Requirest aid, select thy friend, and come, + For I need none, save God, in battle--none." + And Rustem said the same, for he required + No human refuge, no support but Heaven. + + The battle rose, and numerous javelins whizzed + Along the air, and helm and mail were bruised; + Spear fractured spear, and then with shining swords + The strife went on, till, trenched with many a wound, + They, too, snapped short. The battle-axe was next + Wielded, in furious wrath; each bending forward + Struck brain-bewildering blows; each tried in vain + To hurl the other from his fiery horse. + Wearied, at length, they stood apart to breathe + Their charges panting from excessive toil, + Covered with foam and blood, and the strong armor, + Of steed and rider rent. The combatants + Thus paused, in mutual consternation lost. + +In the meantime Zra, impatient at this delay, advanced towards the +Irnians, and reproached them for their cowardice so severely, that +Nshwer, the younger son of Isfendiyr, felt ashamed, and immediately +challenged the bravest of the enemy to fight. Alwa, one of Rustem's +followers, came boldly forward, but his efforts only terminated in his +discomfiture and death. After him came Zra himself:-- + + Who galloped to the charge incensed, and, high + Lifting his iron mace, upon the head + Of bold Nshwer struck a furious blow, + Which drove him from his steed a lifeless corse. + Seeing their gallant leader thus overthrown, + The troops in terror fled, and in their flight + Thousands were slain, among them brave Mehrns, + Another kinsman of Isfendiyr. + +Bahman, observing the defeat and confusion of the Irnians, went +immediately to his father, and told him that two of his own family were +killed by the warriors of Zbul, who had also attacked him and put his +troops to the rout with great slaughter. Isfendiyr was extremely +irritated at this intelligence, and called aloud to Rustem: "Is +treachery like this becoming in a warrior?" The champion being deeply +concerned, shook like a branch, and swore by the head and life of the +king, by the sun, and his own conquering sword, that he was ignorant of +the event, and innocent of what had been done. To prove what he said, he +offered to bind in fetters his brother Zra, who must have authorized +the movement; and also to secure Fermurz, who slew Mehrns, and deliver +them over to Gushtsp, the fire-worshipper. "Nay," said he, "I will +deliver over to thee my whole family, as well as my brother and son, and +thou mayest sacrifice them all as a punishment for having commenced the +fight without permission." Isfendiyr replied: "Of what use would it be +to sacrifice thy brother and thy son? Would that restore my own to me? +No. Instead of them, I will put thee to death, therefore come on!" +Accordingly both simultaneously bent their bows, and shot their arrows +with the utmost rapidity; but whilst Rustem's made no impression, those +of Isfendiyr's produced great effect on the champion and his horse. So +severely was Rakush wounded, that Rustem, when he perceived how much his +favorite horse was exhausted, dismounted, and continued to impel his +arrows against the enemy from behind his shield. But Rakush brooked not +the dreadful storm, and galloped off unconscious that his master himself +was in as bad a plight. When Zra saw the noble animal, riderless, +crossing the plain, he gasped for breath, and in an agony of grief +hurried to the fatal spot, where he found Rustem desperately hurt, and +the blood flowing copiously from every wound. The champion observed, +that though he was himself bleeding so much, not one drop of blood +appeared to have issued from the veins of his antagonist. He was very +weak, but succeeded in dragging himself up to his former position, when +Isfendiyr, smiling to see them thus, exclaimed:-- + + "Is this the valiant Rustem, the renowned, + Quitting the field of battle? Where is now + The raging tiger, the victorious chief? + Was it from thee the Demons shrunk in terror, + And did thy burning sword sear out their hearts? + What has become of all thy valour now? + Where is thy matchless mace, and why art thou, + The roaring lion, turned into a fox, + An animal of slyness, not of courage, + Losing thy noble character and name?" + +Zra, when he came to Rustem, alighted and resigned his horse to his +brother; and placing an arrow on his bow-string, wished himself to +engage Isfendiyr, who was ready to fight him, but Rustem cried, "No, I +have not yet done with thee." Isfendiyr replied: "I know thee well, and +all thy dissimulation, but nothing yet is accomplished. Come and consent +to be fettered, or I must compel thee." Rustem, however, was not to be +overcome, and he said: "If I were really subdued by thee, I might agree +to be bound like a vanquished slave; but the day is now closing, +to-morrow we will resume the fight!" Isfendiyr acquiesced, and they +separated, Rustem going to his own tent, and the prince remaining on the +field. There he affectionately embraced the severed heads of his +kinsmen, placed them himself on a bier, and sent them to his father, the +king, with a letter in which he said, "Thy commands must be obeyed, and +such is the result of to-day; Heaven only knows what may befall +to-morrow." Then he spoke privately to Bashtan: "This Rustem is not +human, he is formed of rock and iron, neither sword nor javelin has done +him mortal harm; but the arrows went deep into his body, and it will +indeed be wonderful if he lives throughout the night. I know not what to +think of to-morrow, or how I shall be able to overcome him." + +When Rustem arrived at his quarters, Zl soon discovered that he had +received many wounds, which occasioned great affliction in his family, +and he said: "Alas! that in my old age such a misfortune should have +befallen us, and that with my own eyes I should see these gaping +wounds!" He then rubbed Rustem's feet, and applied healing balm to the +wounds, and bound them up with the skill and care of a physician. Rustem +said to his father: "I never met with a foe, warrior or demon, of such +amazing strength and bravery as this! He seems to have a brazen body, +for my arrows, which I can drive through an anvil, cannot penetrate his +chest. If I had applied the power which I have exerted to a mountain, +the mountain would have moved from its base, but he sat firmly upon his +saddle and scorned my efforts. I thank God that it is night, and that I +have escaped from his grasp. To-morrow I cannot fight, and my secret +wish is to retire unseen from the struggle, that no trace of me may be +discovered."--"In that case," replied Zl, "the victor will come and +take me and all my family into bondage. But let us not despair. Did not +the Smrgh promise that whenever I might be overcome by adversity, if I +burned one of her feathers, she would instantly appear? Shall we not +then solicit assistance in this awful extremity?" So saying, Zl went up +to a high place, and burnt the feather in a censer, and in a short time +the Smrgh stood before him. After due praise and acknowledgment, he +explained his wants. "But," said he, "may the misfortune we endure be +far from him who has brought it upon us. My son Rustem is wounded almost +unto death, and I am so helpless that I can do him no good." He then +brought forward Rakush, pierced by numerous arrows; upon which the +wonderful Bird said to him, "Be under no alarm on that account, for I +will soon cure him;" and she immediately plucked out the rankling +weapons with her beak, and the wounds, on passing a feather over them, +were quickly healed. + + To Rustem now she turns, and soothes his grief, + And drawing forth the arrows, sucks the blood + From out the wounds, which at her bidding close, + And the illustrious champion is restored + To life and power. + +Being thus reinvigorated by the magic influence of the Smrgh, he +solicits further aid in the coming strife with Isfendiyr; but the +mysterious animal laments that she cannot assist him. "There never +appeared in the world," said she, "so brave and so perfect a hero as +Isfendiyr. The favor of Heaven is with him, for in his Heft-khan he, by +some artifice, succeeded in killing a Smrgh, and the further thou art +removed from his invincible arm, the greater will be thy safety." Here +Zl interposed and said: "If Rustem retires from the contest, his family +will all be enslaved, and I shall equally share their bondage and +affliction." The Smrgh, hearing these words, fell into deep thought, +and remained some time silent. At length she told Rustem to mount Rakush +and follow her. Away she went to a far distance; and crossing a great +river, arrived at a place covered with reeds, where the Kaz-tree +abounded. The Smrgh then rubbed one of her feathers upon the eyes of +Rustem, and directed him to take a branch of the Kaz-tree, and make it +straight upon the fire, and form that wand into a forked arrow; after +which he was to advance against Isfendiyr, and, placing the arrow on +his bow-string, shoot it into the eyes of his enemy. "The arrow will +only make him blind," said the Smrgh, "but he who spills the blood of +Isfendiyr will never be free from calamity during his whole life. The +Kaz-tree has also this peculiar quality: an arrow made of it is sure to +accomplish its intended errand--it never misses the aim of the archer." +Rustem expressed his boundless gratitude for this information and +assistance; and the Smrgh having transported him back to his tent, and +affectionately kissed his face, returned to her own habitation. The +champion now prepared the arrow according to the instructions he had +received; and when morning dawned, mounted his horse, and hastened to +the field. He found Isfendiyr still sleeping, and exclaimed aloud: +"Warrior, art thou still slumbering? Rise, and see Rustem before thee!" +When the prince heard his stern voice, he started up, and in great +anxiety hurried on his armor. He said to Bashtan, "I had uncharitably +thought he would have died of his wounds in the night, but this clear +and bold voice seems to indicate perfect health--go and see whether his +wounds are bound up or not, and whether he is mounted on Rakush or on +some other horse." Rustem perceived Bashtan approach with an +inquisitive look, and conjectured that his object was to ascertain the +condition of himself and Rakush. He therefore vociferated to him: "I am +now wholly free from wounds, and so is my horse, for I possess an elixir +which heals the most cruel lacerations of the flesh the moment it is +applied; but no such wounds were inflicted upon me, the arrows of +Isfendiyr being only like needles sticking in my body." Bashtan now +reported to his brother that Rustem appeared to be more fresh and +vigorous than the day before, and, thinking from the spirit and +gallantry of his demeanor that he would be victorious in another +contest, he strongly recommended a reconciliation. + + + +THE DEATH OF ISFENDIYR + +Isfendiyr, blind to the march of fate, treated the suggestion of his +brother with scorn, and mounting his horse, was soon in the presence of +Rustem, whom he thus hastily addressed: "Yesterday thou wert wounded +almost to death by my arrows, and to-day there is no trace of them. How +is this? + + "But thy father Zl is a sorcerer, + And he by charm and spell + Has cured all the wounds of the warrior, + And now he is safe and well. + For the wounds I gave could never be + Closed up, excepting by sorcery. + Yes, the wounds I gave thee in every part, + Could never be cured but by magic art." + +Rustem replied, "If a thousand arrows were shot at me, they would all +drop harmless to the ground, and in the end thou wilt fall by my hands. +Therefore, if thou seekest thy own welfare, come at once and be my +guest, and I swear by the Almighty, by Zerdusht, and the Zendavesta, by +the sun and moon, that I will go with thee, but unfetterd, to thy +father, who may do with me what he lists."--"That is not enough," +replied Isfendiyr, "thou must be fettered."--"Then do not bind my arms, +and take whatever thou wilt from me."--"And what hast thou to give?" + + "A thousand jewels of brilliant hue, + And of unknown price, shall be thine; + A thousand imperial diadems too, + And a thousand damsels divine, + Who with angel-voices will sing and play, + And delight thy senses both night and day; + And my family wealth shall be brought thee, all + That was gathered by Narmn, Sm, and Zl." + +"This is all in vain," said Isfendiyr. "I may have wandered from the +way of Heaven, but I will not disobey the commands of the king. And of +what use would thy treasure and property be to me? I must please my +father, that he may surrender to me his crown and throne, and I have +solemnly sworn to him that I will place thee before him in fetters." +Rustem replied, "And in the hopes of a crown and throne thou wouldst +sacrifice thyself!"--"Thou shalt see!" said Isfendiyr, and seized his +bow to commence the combat. Rustem did the same, and when he had placed +the forked arrow in the bow-string, he imploringly turned up his face +towards Heaven, and fervently exclaimed, "O God, thou knowest how +anxiously I have wished for a reconciliation, how I have suffered, and +that I would now give all my treasures and wealth and go with him to +Irn, to avoid this conflict; but my offers are disdained, for he is +bent upon consigning me to bondage and disgrace. Thou art the redresser +of grievances--direct the flight of this arrow into his eyes, but do not +let me be punished for the involuntary deed." At this moment Isfendiyr +shot an arrow with great force at Rustem, who dexterously eluded its +point, and then, in return, instantly lodged the charmed weapon in the +eyes of his antagonist. + + And darkness overspread his sight, + The world to him was hid in night; + The bow dropped from his slackened hand, + And down he sunk upon the sand. + +"Yesterday," said Rustem, "thou discharged at me a hundred and sixty +arrows in vain, and now thou art overthrown by one arrow of mine." +Bahman, the son of Isfendiyr, seeing his father bleeding on the ground, +uttered loud lamentations, and Bashtan, followed by the Irnian troops, +also drew nigh with the deepest sorrow marked on their countenances. The +fatal arrow was immediately drawn from the wounded eyes of the prince, +and some medicine being first applied to them, they conveyed him +mournfully to his own tent. + +The conflict having thus terminated, Rustem at the same time returned +with his army to where Zl remained in anxious suspense about the +result. The old man rejoiced at the issue, but said, "O, my son, thou +hast killed thy enemy, but I have learnt from the wise men and +astrologers that the slayer of Isfendiyr must soon come to a fatal end. +May God protect thee!" Rustem replied, "I am guiltless, his blood is +upon his own head." The next day they both proceeded to visit +Isfendiyr, and offer to him their sympathy and condolence, when the +wounded prince thus spoke to Rustem: "I do not ascribe my misfortune to +thee, but to an all-ruling power. Fate would have it so, and thus it is! +I now consign to thy care and guardianship my son Bahman: instruct him +in the science of government, the customs of kings, and the rules and +stratagems of the warrior, for thou art exceedingly wise and +experienced, and perfect in all things," Rustem readily complied, and +said:-- + + "That duty shall be mine alone, + To seat him firmly on the throne." + +Then Isfendiyr murmured to Bashtan, that the anguish of his wound was +wearing him away, and that he had but a short time to live. + + "The pace of death is fast and fleet, + And nothing my life can save, + I shall want no robe, but my winding sheet, + No mansion but the grave. + + "And tell my father the wish of his heart + Has not been breathed in vain, + The doom he desired when he made me depart, + Has been sealed, and his son is slain! + + "And, O! to my mother, in kindliest tone, + The mournful tidings bear, + And soothe her woes for her warrior gone, + For her lost Isfendiyr." + +He now groaned heavily, and his last words were:-- + + "I die, pursued by unrelenting fate, + The hapless victim of a father's hate." + +Life having departed, his body was placed upon a bier, and conveyed to +Irn, amidst the tears and lamentations of the people. + +Rustem now took charge of Bahman, according to the dying request of +Isfendiyr, and brought him to Sstn. This was, however, repugnant to +the wishes of Zra, who observed to his brother: "Thou hast slain the +father of this youth; do not therefore nurture and instruct the son of +thy enemy, for, mark me, in the end he will be avenged."--"But did not +Isfendiyr, with his last breath, consign him to my guardianship? how +can I refuse it now? It must be so written and determined in the +dispensations of Heaven." + +The arrival of the bier in Persia, at the palace of Gushtsp, produced a +melancholy scene of public and domestic affliction. The king took off +the covering and wept bitterly, and the mother and sisters exclaimed, +"Alas! thy death is not the work of human hands; it is not the work of +Rustem, nor of Zl, but of the Smrgh. Thou hast not lived long enough +to be ashamed of a gray beard, nor to witness the maturity and +attainments of thy children. Alas! thou art snatched away at a moment of +the highest promise, even at the commencement of thy glory." In the +meanwhile the curses and imprecations of the people were poured upon the +devoted head of Gushtsp on account of his cruel and unnatural conduct, +so that he was obliged to confine himself to his palace till after the +interment of Isfendiyr. + +Rustem scrupulously fulfilled his engagement, and instructed Bahman in +all manly exercises; in the use of bow and javelin, in the management of +sword and buckler, and in all the arts and accomplishments of the +warrior. He then wrote to Gushtsp, repeating that he was unblamable in +the conflict which terminated in the death of his son Isfendiyr, that +he had offered him presents and wealth to a vast extent, and moreover +was ready to return with him to Irn, to his father; but every overture +was rejected. Relentless fate must have hurried him on to a premature +death. "I have now," continued Rustem, "completed the education of +Bahman, according to the directions of his father, and await thy further +commands." Gushtsp, after reading this letter, referred to Bashtan, +who confirmed the declarations of Rustem, and the treacherous king, +willing to ascribe the event to an overruling destiny, readily acquitted +Rustem of all guilt in killing Isfendiyr. At the same time he sent for +Bahman, and on his arrival from Sstn, was so pleased with him that he +without hesitation appointed him to succeed to the throne. + + "Methinks I see Isfendiyr again, + Thou hast the form, the very look he bore, + And since thy glorious father is no more, + Long as I live thou must with me remain." + + + +THE DEATH OF RUSTEM + +Firdusi seems to have derived the account of Shughad, and the melancholy +fate of Rustem, from a descendant of Sm and Narmn, who was +particularly acquainted with the chronicles of the heroes and the kings +of Persia. Shughad, it appears, was the son of Zl, by one of the old +warrior's maid-servants, and at his very birth the astrologers predicted +that he would be the ruin of the glorious house of Sm and Narmn, and +the destruction of their race. + + Throughout Sstn the prophecy was heard + With horror and amazement; every town + And city in Irn was full of woe, + And Zl, in deepest agony and grief, + Sent up his prayers to the Almighty Power + That he would purify the infant's heart, + And free it from that quality, foretold + As the destroyer of his ancient house. + But what are prayers, opposed by destiny? + +The child, notwithstanding, was brought up with great care and +attention, and when arrived at maturity, he was sent to the king of +Kbul, whose daughter he espoused. + +Rustem was accustomed to go to Kbul every year to receive the tribute +due to him; but on the last occasion, it is said that he exacted and +took a higher rate than usual, and thus put many of the people to +distress. The king was angry, and expressed his dissatisfaction to +Shughad, who was not slow in uttering his own discontent, saying, +"Though I am his brother, he has no respect for me, but treats me always +like an enemy. For this personal hostility I long to punish him with +death."--"But how," inquired the king, "couldst thou compass that +end?" Shughad replied, "I have well considered the subject, and propose +to accomplish my purpose in this manner. I shall feign that I have been +insulted and injured by thee, and carry my complaint to Zl and Rustem, +who will no doubt come to Kbul to redress my wrongs. Thou must in the +meantime prepare for a sporting excursion, and order a number of pits to +be dug on the road sufficiently large to hold Rustem and his horse, and +in each several swords must be placed with their points and edges +upwards. The mouths of the pits must then be slightly covered over, but +so carefully that there may be no appearance of the earth underneath +having been removed. Everything being thus ready, Rustem, on the +pretence of going to the sporting ground, must be conducted by that +road, and he will certainly fall into one of the pits, which will become +his grave." This stratagem was highly approved by the king, and it was +agreed that at a royal banquet, Shughad should revile and irritate the +king, whose indignant answer should be before all the assembly: "Thou +hast no pretensions to be thought of the stock of Sm and Narmn. Zl +pays thee no attention, at least, not such attention as he would pay to +a son, and Rustem declares thou art not his brother; indeed, all the +family treat thee as a slave." At these words, Shughad affected to be +greatly enraged, and, starting up from the banquet, hastened to Rustem +to complain of the insult offered him by the king of Kbul. Rustem +received him with demonstrations of affection, and hearing his +complaint, declared that he would immediately proceed to Kbul, depose +the king for his insolence, and place Shughad himself on the throne of +that country. In a short time they arrived at the city, and were met by +the king, who, with naked feet and in humble guise, solicited +forgiveness. Rustem was induced to pardon the offence, and was honored +in return with great apparent respect, and with boundless hospitality. +In the meantime, however, the pits were dug, and the work of destruction +in progress, and Rustem was now invited to share the sports of the +forest. The champion was highly gratified by the courtesy which the king +displayed, and mounted Rakush, anticipating a day of excellent +diversion. Shughad accompanied him, keeping on one side, whilst Rustem, +suspecting nothing, rode boldly forward. Suddenly Rakush stopped, and +though urged to advance, refused to move a step. At last the champion +became angry, and struck the noble animal severely; the blows made him +dart forward, and in a moment he unfortunately fell into one of the +pits. + + It was a place, deep, dark, and perilous, + All bristled o'er with swords, leaving no chance + Of extrication without cruel wounds; + And horse and rider sinking in the midst, + Bore many a grievous stab and many a cut + In limb and body, ghastly to the sight. + Yet from that depth, at one prodigious spring, + Rakush escaped with Rustem on his back; + But what availed that effort? Down again + Into another pit both fell together, + And yet again they rose, again, again; + Seven times down prostrate, seven times bruised and maimed, + They struggled on, till mounting up the edge + Of the seventh pit, all covered with deep wounds, + Both lay exhausted. When the champion's brain + Grew cool, and he had power to think, he knew + Full well to whom he owed this treachery, + And calling to Shughad, said: "Thou, my brother! + Why hast thou done this wrong? Was it for thee, + My father's son, by wicked plot and fraud + To work this ruin, to destroy my life?" + Shughad thus sternly answered: "'Tis for all + The blood that thou hast shed, God has decreed + This awful vengeance--now thy time is come!" + Then spoke the king of Kbul, as if pity + Had softened his false heart: "Alas! the day + That thou shouldst perish, so ignobly too, + And in my kingdom; what a wretched fate! + But bring some medicine to relieve his wounds-- + Quick, bring the matchless balm for Rustem's cure; + He must not die, the champion must not die!" + But Rustem scorned the offer, and in wrath, + Thus spoke: "How many a mighty king has died, + And left me still triumphant--still in power, + Unconquerable; treacherous thou hast been, + Inhuman, too, but Fermurz, the brave, + Will be revenged upon thee for this crime." + +Rustem now turned towards Shughad, and in an altered and mournful tone, +told him that he was at the point of death, and asked him to string his +bow and give it to him, that he might seem as a scare-crow, to prevent +the wolves and other wild animals from devouring him when dead. + + Shughad performed the task, and lingered not, + For he rejoiced at this catastrophe, + And with a smile of fiendish satisfaction, + Placed the strong bow before him--Rustem grasped + The bended horn with such an eager hand, + That wondering at the sight, the caitiff wretch + Shuddered with terror, and behind a tree + Shielded himself, but nothing could avail; + The arrow pierced both tree and him, and they + Were thus transfixed together--thus the hour + Of death afforded one bright gleam of joy + To Rustem, who, with lifted eyes to Heaven, + Exclaimed: "Thanksgivings to the great Creator, + For granting me the power, with my own hand, + To be revenged upon my murderer!" + So saying, the great champion breathed his last, + And not a knightly follower remained, + Zra, and the rest, in other pits, + Dug by the traitor-king, and traitor-brother, + Had sunk and perished, all, save one, who fled, + And to the afflicted veteran at Sstn + Told the sad tidings. Zl, in agony, + Tore his white hair, and wildly rent his garments, + And cried: "Why did not I die for him, why + Was I not present, fighting by his side? + But he, alas! is gone! Oh! gone forever." + +Then the old man despatched Fermurz with a numerous force to Kbul, to +bring away the dead body of Rustem. Upon his approach, the king of Kbul +and his army retired to the mountains, and Fermurz laid waste the +country. He found only the skeletons of Rustem and Zra, the beasts of +prey having stripped them of their flesh: he however gathered the bones +together and conveyed them home and buried them, amidst the lamentations +of the people. After that, he returned to Kbul with his army, and +encountered the king, captured the cruel wretch, and carried him to +Sstn, where he was put to death. + +Gushtsp having become old and infirm, bequeathed his empire to Bahman, +and then died. He reigned one hundred and eight years. + + + +BAHMAN + +Bahman, the grandson of Gushtsp, having at the commencement of his +sovereignty obtained the approbation of his people, by the clemency of +his conduct and the apparent generosity of his disposition, was not long +in meditating vindictive measures against the family of Rustem. "Did not +Kai-khosru," said he to his warriors, "revenge himself on Afrsiyb for +the murder of Saiwush; and have not all my glorious ancestors pursued a +similar course? Why, then, should not I be revenged on the father of +Rustem for the death of Isfendiyr?" The warriors, as usual, approved of +the king's resolution, and in consequence one hundred thousand veteran +troops were assembled for the immediate invasion of Sstn. When Bahman +had arrived on the borders of the river Behermund, he sent a message to +Zl, frankly declaring his purpose, and that he must sacrifice the lives +of himself and all his family as an atonement for Rustem's guilt in +shedding the blood of Isfendiyr. + + Zl heard his menace with astonishment, + Mingled with anguish, and he thus replied: + "Rustem was not in fault; and thou canst tell, + For thou wert present, how he wept, and prayed + That he might not be bound. How frequently + He offered all his wealth, his gold, and gems, + To be excused that ignominious thrall; + And would have followed thy impatient father + To wait upon Gushtsp; but this was scorned; + Nothing but bonds would satisfy his pride; + All this thou know'st. Then did not I and Rustem + Strictly fulfil Isfendiyr's commands, + And most assiduously endow thy mind + With all the skill and virtues of a hero, + That might deserve some kindness in return? + Now take my house, my treasure, my possessions, + Take all; but spare my family and me." + + The messenger went back, and told the tale + Of Zl's deep grief with such persuasive grace, + And piteous accent, that the heart of Bahman + Softened at every word, and the old man + Was not to suffer. After that was known, + With gorgeous presents Zl went forth to meet + The monarch in his progress to the city; + And having prostrated himself in low + Humility, retired among the train + Attendant on the king. "Thou must not walk," + Bahman exclaimed, well skilled in all the arts + Of smooth hypocrisy--"thou art too weak; + Remount thy horse, for thou requirest help." + But Zl declined the honour, and preferred + Doing that homage as illustrious Sm, + His conquering ancestor, had always done, + Barefoot, in presence of the royal race. + + Fast moving onwards, Bahman soon approached + Sstn, and entered Zl's superb abode; + Not as a friend, or a forgiving foe, + But with a spirit unappeased, unsoothed; + True, he had spared the old man's life, but there + His mercy stopped; all else was confiscate, + For every room was plundered, all the treasure + Seized and devoted to the tyrant's use. + +After remorselessly obtaining this booty, Bahman inquired what had +become of Fermurz, and Zl pretended that, unaware of the king's +approach, he had gone a-hunting. But this excuse was easily seen +through, and the king was so indignant on the occasion, that he put Zl +himself in fetters. Fermurz had, in fact, secretly retired with the +Zbul army to a convenient distance, for the purpose of acting as +necessity might require, and when he heard that Zl was placed in +confinement, he immediately marched against the invader and oppressor of +his country. Both armies met, and closed, and were in desperate conflict +three long days and nights. On the fourth day, a tremendous hurricane +arose, which blew thick clouds of dust in the face of the Zbul army, +and blinding them, impeded their progress, whilst the enemy were driven +furiously forward by the strong wind at their backs. The consequence was +the defeat of the Zbul troops. Fermurz, with a few companions, +however, kept his ground, though assailed by showers of arrows. He tried +repeatedly to get face to face with Bahman, but every effort was +fruitless, and he felt convinced that his career was now nearly at an +end. He bravely defended himself, and aimed his arrows with great +precision; but what is the use of art when Fortune is unfavorable? + + When Fate's dark clouds portentous lower, + And quench the light of day, + No effort, none, of human power, + Can chase the gloom away. + Arrows may fly a countless shower, + Amidst the desperate fray; + But not to sword or arrow death is given, + Unless decreed by favouring Heaven + +And it was so decreed that the exertions of Fermurz should be +unsuccessful. His horse fell, he was wounded severely, and whilst +insensible, the enemy secured and conveyed him in fetters to Bahman, who +immediately ordered him to be hanged. The king then directed all the +people of Sstn to be put to the sword; upon which Bashtan said: +"Alas! why should the innocent and unoffending people be thus made to +perish? Hast thou no fear of God? Thou hast taken vengeance for thy +father, by slaying Fermurz, the son of Rustem. Is not that enough? Be +merciful and beneficent now to the people, and thank Heaven for the +great victory thou hast gained." Bahman was thus withdrawn from his +wicked purpose, and was also induced to liberate Zl, whose age and +infirmities had rendered him perfectly harmless. He not only did this, +but restored to him the possession of Sstn; and divesting himself of +all further revenge, returned to Persia. There he continued to exercise +the functions of royalty, till one day he happened to be bitten by a +snake, whose venom was so excruciating, that remedies were of no avail, +and he died of the wound, in the eighth year of his reign. Although he +had a son named Sassn, he did not appoint him his successor; but gave +the crown and the throne to his wife, Hma, whom he had married a short +time before his death, saying: "If Hma should have a son, that son +shall be my successor; but if a daughter, Hma continue to reign." + + + +HMAI AND THE BIRTH OF DRB + +Wisdom and generosity were said to have marked the government of Hma. +In justice and beneficence she was unequalled. No misfortune happened in +her days: even the poor and the needy became rich. She gave birth to a +son, whom she entrusted to a nurse to be brought up secretly, and +declared publicly that it had died the same day it was born. At this +event the people rejoiced, for they were happy under the administration +of Hma. Upon the boy attaining his seventh month, however, the queen +sent for him, and wrapping him up in rich garments, put him in a box, +and when she had fastened down the cover, gave it to two confidential +servants, in the middle of the night, to be flung into the Euphrates. +"For," thought she, "if he be found in the city, there will be an end to +my authority, and the crown will be placed upon his head; wiser, +therefore, will it be for me to cast him into the river; and if it +please God to preserve him, he may be nurtured, and brought up in +another country." Accordingly in the darkness of night, the box was +thrown into the Euphrates, and it floated rapidly down the stream for +some time without being observed. + + Amidst the waters, in that little ark + Was launched the future monarch. But, vain mortal! + How bootless are thy most ingenious schemes, + Thy wisest projects! Such were thine, Hma! + Presumptuous as thou wert to think success + Would crown that deed unnatural and unjust. + But human passions, human expectations + Are happily controlled by righteous Heaven. + +In the morning the ark was noticed by a washerman; who, curious to know +what it contained, drew it to the shore, and opened the lid. Within the +box he then saw splendid silk-embroidered scarfs and costly raiment, and +upon them a lovely infant asleep. He immediately took up the child, and +carried it to his wife, saying: "It was but yesterday that our own +infant died, and now the Almighty has sent thee another in its place." +The woman looked at the child with affection, and taking it in her arms +fed it with her own milk. In the box they also found jewels and rubies, +and they congratulated themselves upon being at length blessed by +Providence with wealth, and a boy at the same time. They called him +Drb, and the child soon began to speak in the language of his +foster-parents. The washerman and his wife, for fear that the boy and +the wealth might be discovered, thought it safest to quit their home, +and sojourn in another country. When Drb grew up, he was more skilful +and accomplished, and more expert at wrestling than other boys of a +greater age. But whenever the washerman told him to assist in washing +clothes, he always ran away, and would not stoop to the drudgery. This +untoward behavior grieved the washerman exceedingly, and he lamented +that God had given him so useless a son, not knowing that he was +destined to be the sovereign of all the world. + + How little thought he, whilst the task he prest, + A purer spirit warmed the stripling's breast, + Whose opening soul, by kingly pride inspired, + Disdained the toil a menial slave required; + The royal branch on high its foliage flung, + And showed the lofty stem from which it sprung. + +Drb was now sent to school, and he soon excelled his master, who +continually said to the washerman: "Thy son is of wonderful capacity, +acute and intelligent beyond his years, of an enlarged understanding, +and will be at least the minister of a king." Drb requested to have +another master, and also a fine horse of Irk, that he might acquire the +science and accomplishments of a warrior; but the washerman replied that +he was too poor to comply with his wishes, which threw the youth into +despair, so that he did not touch a morsel of food for two days +together. His foster-mother, deeply affected by his disappointment, and +naturally anxious to gratify his desires, gave an article of value to +the washerman, that he might sell it, and with the money purchase the +horse required. The horse obtained, he was daily instructed in the art +of using the bow, the javelin, and the sword, and in every exercise +becoming a young gentleman and a warrior. So devouringly did he +persevere in his studies, and in his exertions to excel, that he never +remained a moment unoccupied at home or abroad. The development of his +talents and genius suggested to him an inquiry who he was, and how he +came into the house of a washerman; and his foster-mother, in compliance +with his entreaties, described to him the manner in which he was found. +He had long been miserable at the thoughts of being the son of a +washerman, but now he rejoiced, and looked upon himself as the son of +some person of consideration. He asked her if she had anything that was +taken out of the box, and she replied: "Two valuable rubies remain." The +youth requested them to be brought to him; one he bound round his arm, +and the other he sold to pay the expenses of travelling and change of +place. + +At that time, it is said, the king of Rm had sent an army into the +country of Irn. Upon receiving this information, Hma told her +general, named Rishnawd, to collect a force corresponding with the +emergency; and he issued a proclamation, inviting all young men desirous +of military glory to flock to his standard. Drb heard this +proclamation with delight, and among others hastened to Rishnawd, who +presented the young warriors as they arrived successively to Hma. The +queen steadfastly marked the majestic form and features of Drb, and +said in her heart: "The youth who bears this dignified and royal aspect, +appears to be a Kainian by birth;" and as she spoke, the instinctive +feeling of a mother seemed to agitate her bosom. + + The queen beheld his form and face, + The scion of a princely race; + And natural instinct seemed to move + Her heart, which spoke a mother's love; + She gazed, but like the lightning's ray, + That sudden thrill soon passed away. + +The army was now in motion. After the first march, a tremendous wind and +heavy rain came on, and all the soldiers were under tents, excepting +Drb, who had none, and was obliged to take shelter from the inclemency +of the weather beneath an archway, where he laid himself down, and fell +asleep. Suddenly a supernatural voice was heard, saying:-- + + "Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no ruined fragment fall! + He who sleeps beneath is one + Destined to a royal throne. + Arch! a monarch claims thy care, + The king of Persia slumbers there!" + +The voice was heard by every one near, and Rishnawd having also heard +it, inquired of his people from whence it came. As he spoke, the voice +repeated its caution:-- + + "Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no ruined fragment fall! + Bahman's son is in thy keeping; + He beneath thy roof is sleeping. + Though the winds are loudly roaring, + And the rain in torrents pouring, + Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no loosened fragment fall." + +Again Rishnawd sent other persons to ascertain from whence the voice +proceeded; and they returned, saying, that it was not of the earth, but +from Heaven. Again the caution sounded in his ears:-- + + "Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no loosened fragment fall." + +And his amazement increased. He now sent a person under the archway to +see if any one was there, when the youth was discovered in deep sleep +upon the ground, and the arch above him rent and broken in many parts. +Rishnawd being apprised of this circumstance, desired that he might be +awakened and brought to him. The moment he was removed, the whole of the +arch fell down with a dreadful crash, and this wonderful escape was also +communicated to the leader of the army, who by a strict and particular +enquiry soon became acquainted with all the occurrences of the +stranger's life. Rishnawd also summoned before him the washerman and +his wife, and they corroborated the story he had been told. Indeed he +himself recognized the ruby on Drb's arm, which convinced him that he +was the son of Bahman, whom Hma caused to be thrown into the +Euphrates. Thus satisfied of his identity, he treated him with great +honor, placed him on his right hand, and appointed him to a high command +in the army. Soon afterwards an engagement took place with the Rms, +and Drb in the advanced guard performed prodigies of valor. The battle +lasted all day, and in the evening Rishnawd bestowed upon him the +praise which he merited. Next day the army was again prepared for +battle, when Drb proposed that the leader should remain quiet, whilst +he with a chosen band of soldiers attacked the whole force of the enemy. +The proposal being agreed to, he advanced with fearless impetuosity to +the contest. + + With loosened rein he rushed along the field, + And through opposing numbers hewed his path, + Then pierced the Kulub-gah, the centre-host, + Where many a warrior brave, renowned in arms, + Fell by his sword. Like sheep before a wolf + The harassed Rms fled; for none had power + To cope with his strong arm. His wondrous might + Alone, subdued the legions right and left; + And when, unwearied, he had fought his way + To where great Kasar stood, night came, and darkness, + Shielding the trembling emperor of Rm, + Snatched the expected triumph from his hands. + +Rishnawd was so filled with admiration at his splendid prowess, that he +now offered him the most magnificent presents; but when they were +exposed to his view, a suit of armor was the only thing he would accept. + +The Rms were entirely disheartened by his valor, and they said: "We +understood that the sovereign of Persia was only a woman, and that the +conquest of the empire would be no difficult task; but this woman seems +to be more fortunate than a warrior-king. Even her general remains +inactive with the great body of his army; and a youth, with a small +force, is sufficient to subdue the legions of Rm; we had, therefore, +better return to our own country." The principal warriors entertained +the same sentiments, and suggested to Kasar the necessity of retiring +from the field; but the king opposed this measure, thinking it cowardly +and disgraceful, and said:-- + + "To-morrow we renew the fight, + To-morrow we shall try our might; + To-morrow, with the smiles of Heaven, + To us the victory will be given." + +Accordingly on the following day the armies met again, and after a +sanguinary struggle, the Persians were again triumphant. Kasar now +despaired of success, sent a messenger to Rishnawd, in which he +acknowledged the aggressions he had committed, and offered to pay him +whatever tribute he might require. Rishnawd readily settled the terms +of the peace; and the emperor was permitted to return to his own +dominions. + +After this event Rishnawd sent to Hma intelligence of the victories +he had gained, and of the surprising valor of Drb, transmitting to her +the ruby as an evidence of his birth. Hma was at once convinced that +he was her son, for she well remembered the day on which he was enrolled +as one of her soldiers, when her heart throbbed with instinctive +affection at the sight of him; and though she had unfortunately failed +to question him then, she now rejoiced that he was so near being +restored to her. She immediately proceeded to the Atish-gadeh, or the +Fire-altar, and made an offering on the occasion; and ordering a great +fire to be lighted, gave immense sums away in charity to the poor. +Having called Drb to her presence, she went with a splendid retinue to +meet him at the distance of one journey from the city; and as soon as he +approached, she pressed him to her bosom, and kissed his head and eyes +with the fondest affection of a mother. Upon the first day of happy +omen, she relinquished in his favor the crown and the throne, after +having herself reigned thirty-two years. + + + +DRB AND DR + +When Drb had ascended the throne, he conducted the affairs of the +kingdom with humanity, justice, and benevolence; and by these means +secured the happiness of his people. He had no sooner commenced his +reign, than he sent for the washerman and his wife, and enriched them by +his gifts. "But," said he, "I present to you this property on these +conditions--you must not give up your occupation--you must go every day, +as usual, to the river-side, and wash clothes; for perhaps in process of +time you may discover another box floating down the stream, containing +another infant!" With these conditions the washerman complied. + +Some time afterwards the kingdom was invaded by an Arabian army, +consisting of one hundred thousand men, and commanded by Shb, a +distinguished warrior. Drb was engaged with this army three days and +three nights, and on the fourth morning the battle terminated, in +consequence of Shb being slain. The booty was immense, and a vast +number of Arabian horses fell into the hands of the victor; which, +together with the quantity of treasure captured, strengthened greatly +the resources of the state. The success of this campaign enabled Drb +to extend his military operations; and having put his army in order, he +proceeded against Failaks (Philip of Macedon), then king of Rm, whom +he defeated with great loss. Many were put to the sword, and the women +and children carried into captivity. Failaks himself took refuge in the +fortress of Amr, from whence he sent an ambassador to Drb, saying, +that if peace was only granted to him, he would willingly consent to any +terms that might be demanded. When the ambassador arrived, Drb said to +him: "If Failaks will bestow upon me his daughter, Nahd, peace shall +be instantly re-established between us--I require no other terms." +Failaks readily agreed, and sent Nahd with numerous splendid presents +to the king of Persia, who espoused her, and took her with him to his +own country. It so happened that Nahd had an offensive breath, which +was extremely disagreeable to her husband, and in consequence he +directed enquiries to be made everywhere for a remedy. No place was left +unexplored; at length an herb of peculiar efficacy and fragrance was +discovered, which never failed to remove the imperfection complained of; +and it was accordingly administered with confident hopes of success. +Nahd was desired to wash her mouth with the infused herb, and in a few +days her breath became balmy and pure. When she found she was likely to +become a mother she did not communicate the circumstance, but requested +permission to pay a visit to her father. The request was granted; and on +her arrival in Rm she was delivered of a son. Failaks had no male +offspring, and was overjoyed at this event, which he at once determined +to keep unknown to Drb, publishing abroad that a son had been born in +his house, and causing it to be understood that the child was his own. +When the boy grew up, he was called Sikander; and, like Rustem, became +highly accomplished in all the arts of diplomacy and war. Failaks +placed him under Aristtals, a sage of great renown, and he soon +equalled his master in learning and science. + +Drb married another wife, by whom he had another son, named Dr; and +when the youth was twenty years of age, the father died. The period of +Drb's reign was thirty-four years. + +Dr continued the government of the empire in the same spirit as his +father; claiming custom and tribute from the inferior rulers, with +similar strictness and decision. After the death of Failaks, Sikander +became the king of Rm; and refusing to pay the demanded tribute to +Persia, went to war with Dr, whom he killed in battle; the particulars +of these events will be presently shown. Failaks reigned twenty-four +years. + + + +SIKANDER + +Failaks, before his death, placed the crown of sovereignty upon the +head of Sikander, and appointed Arist, who was one of the disciples of +the great Afltn, his vizir. He cautioned him to pursue the path of +virtue and rectitude, and to cast from his heart every feeling of vanity +and pride; above all he implored him to be just and merciful, and +said:-- + + "Think not that thou art wise, but ignorant, + And ever listen to advice and counsel; + We are but dust, and from the dust created; + And what our lives but helplessness and sorrow!" + +Sikander for a time attended faithfully to the instructions of his +father, and to the counsel of Arist, both in public and private +affairs. + +Upon Sikander's elevation to the throne, Dr sent an envoy to him to +claim the customary tribute, but he received for answer: "The time is +past when Rm acknowledged the superiority of Persia. It is now thy turn +to pay tribute to Rm. If my demand be refused, I will immediately +invade thy dominions; and think not that I shall be satisfied with the +conquest of Persia alone, the whole world shall be mine; therefore +prepare for war." Dr had no alternative, not even submission, and +accordingly assembled his army, for Sikander was already in full march +against him. Upon the confines of Persia the armies came in sight of +each other, when Sikander, in the assumed character of an envoy, was +resolved to ascertain the exact condition of the enemy. With this view +he entered the Persian camp, and Dr allowing the person whom he +supposed an ambassador, to approach, enquired what message the king of +Rm had sent to him. "Hear me!" said the pretended envoy: "Sikander has +not invaded thy empire for the exclusive purpose of fighting, but to +know its history, its laws, and customs, from personal inspection. His +object is to travel through the whole world. Why then should he make war +upon thee? Give him but a free passage through thy kingdom, and nothing +more is required. However if it be thy wish to proceed to hostilities, +he apprehends nothing from the greatness of thy power." Dr was +astonished at the majestic air and dignity of the envoy, never having +witnessed his equal, and he anxiously said:-- + + "What is thy name, from whom art thou descended? + For that commanding front, that fearless eye, + Bespeaks illustrious birth. Art thou indeed + Sikander, whom my fancy would believe thee, + So eloquent in speech, in mien so noble?" + "No!" said the envoy, "no such rank is mine, + Sikander holds among his numerous host + Thousands superior to the humble slave + Who stands before thee. It is not for me + To put upon myself the air of kings, + To ape their manners and their lofty state." + +Dr could not help smiling, and ordered refreshments and wine to be +brought. He filled a cup and gave it to the envoy, who drank it off, but +did not, according to custom, return the empty goblet to the cup-bearer. +The cup-bearer demanded the cup, and Dr asked the envoy why he did not +give it back. "It is the custom in my country," said the envoy, "when a +cup is once given into an ambassador's hands, never to receive it back +again." Dr was still more amused by this explanation, and presented to +him another cup, and successively four, which the envoy did not fail to +appropriate severally in the same way. In the evening a feast was held, +and Sikander partook of the delicious refreshments that had been +prepared for him; but in the midst of the entertainment one of the +persons present recognized him, and immediately whispered to Dr that +his enemy was in his power. + + Sikander's sharp and cautious eye now marked + The changing scene, and up he sprang, but first + Snatched the four cups, and rushing from the tent, + Vaulted upon his horse, and rode away. + So instantaneous was the act, amazed + The assembly rose, and presently a troop + Was ordered in pursuit--but night, dark night, + Baffled their search, and checked their eager speed. + +As soon as he reached his own army, he sent for Aristtals and his +courtiers, and exultingly displayed to them the four golden cups. +"These," said he, "have I taken from my enemy, I have taken them from +his own table, and before his own eyes. His strength and numbers too I +have ascertained, and my success is certain." No time was now lost in +arrangements for the battle. The armies engaged, and they fought seven +days without a decisive blow being struck. On the eighth, Dr was +compelled to fly, and his legions, defeated and harassed, were pursued +by the Rms with great slaughter to the banks of the Euphrates. +Sikander now returned to take possession of the capital. In the meantime +Dr collected his scattered forces together, and again tried his +fortune, but he was again defeated. After his second success, the +conqueror devoted himself so zealously to conciliate and win the +affections of the people, that they soon ceased to remember their former +king with any degree of attachment to his interests. Sikander said to +them: "Persia indeed is my inheritance: I am no stranger to you, for I +am myself descended from Drb; you may therefore safely trust to my +justice and paternal care, in everything that concerns your welfare." +The result was, that legion after legion united in his cause, and +consolidated his power. + +When Dr was informed of the universal disaffection of his army, he +said to the remaining friends who were personally devoted to him: "Alas! +my subjects have been deluded by the artful dissimulation and skill of +Sikander; your next misfortune will be the captivity of your wives and +children. Yes, your wives and children will be made the slaves of the +conquerors." A few troops, still faithful to their unfortunate king, +offered to make another effort against the enemy, and Dr was too +grateful and too brave to discountenance their enthusiastic fidelity, +though with such little chance of success. A fragment of an army was +consequently brought into action, and the result was what had been +anticipated. Dr was again a fugitive; and after the defeat, escaped +with three hundred men into the neighboring desert. Sikander captured +his wife and family, but magnanimously restored them to the unfortunate +monarch, who, destitute of all further hope, now asked for a place of +refuge in his own dominions, and for that he offered him all the buried +treasure of his ancestors. Sikander, in reply, invited him to his +presence; and promised to restore him to his throne, that he might +himself be enabled to pursue other conquests; but Dr refused to go, +although advised by his nobles to accept the invitation. "I am willing +to put myself to death," said he with emotion, "but I cannot submit to +this degradation. I cannot go before him, and thus personally +acknowledge his authority over me." Resolved upon this point, he wrote +to Far, one of the sovereigns of Ind, to request his assistance, and +Far recommended that he should pay him a visit for the purpose of +concerting what measures should be adopted. This correspondence having +come to the knowledge of Sikander, he took care that his enemy should be +intercepted in whatever direction he might proceed. + +Dr had two ministers, named Mahiyr and Jamsipr, who, finding that +according to the predictions of the astrologers their master would in a +few days fall into the hands of Sikander, consulted together, and +thought they had better put him to death themselves, in order that they +might get into favor with Sikander. It was night, and the soldiers of +the escort were dispersed at various distances, and the vizirs were +stationed on each side of the king. As they travelled on, Jamsipr took +an opportunity of plunging his dagger into Dr's side, and Mahiyr gave +another blow, which felled the monarch to the ground. They immediately +sent the tidings of this event to Sikander, who hastened to the spot, +and the opening daylight presented to his view the wounded king. + + Dismounting quickly, he in sorrow placed + The head of Dr on his lap, and wept + In bitterness of soul, to see that form + Mangled with ghastly wounds. + +Dr still breathed; and when he lifted up his eyes and beheld Sikander, +he groaned deeply. Sikander said, "Rise up, that we may convey thee to a +place of safety, and apply the proper remedies to thy wounds."--"Alas!" +replied Dr, "the time for remedies is past. I leave thee to Heaven, +and may thy reign give peace and happiness to the empire."--"Never," +said Sikander, "never did I desire to see thee thus mangled and +fallen--never to witness this sight! If the Almighty should spare thy +life, thou shalt again be the monarch of Persia, and I will go from +hence. On my mother's word, thou and I are sons of the same father. It +is this brotherly affection which now wrings my heart!" Saying this, the +tears chased each other down his cheeks in such abundance that they fell +upon the face of Dr. Again, he said, "Thy murderers shall meet with +merited vengeance, they shall be punished to the uttermost." Dr +blessed him, and said, "My end is approaching, but thy sweet discourse +and consoling kindness have banished all my grief. I shall now die with +a mind at rest. Weep no more-- + + "My course is finished, thine is scarce begun; + But hear my dying wish, my last request: + Preserve the honour of my family, + Preserve it from disgrace. I have a daughter + Dearer to me than life, her name is Roshung; + Espouse her, I beseech thee--and if Heaven + Should bless thee with a boy, O! let his name be + Isfendiyr, that he may propagate + With zeal the sacred doctrines of Zerdusht, + The Zendavesta, then my soul will be + Happy in Heaven; and he, at Nu-rz tide, + Will also hold the festival I love, + And at the altar light the Holy Fire; + Nor will he cease his labour, till the faith + Of Lohursp be everywhere accepted, + And everywhere believed the true religion." + +Sikander promised that he would assuredly fulfil the wishes he had +expressed, and then Dr placed the palm of his brother's hand on his +mouth, and shortly afterwards expired. Sikander again wept bitterly, and +then the body was placed on a golden couch, and he attended it in sorrow +to the grave. + +After the burial of Dr, the two ministers, Jamsipr and Mahiyr, were +brought near the tomb, and executed upon the dar. + + Just vengeance upon the guilty head, + For they their generous monarch's blood had shed. + +Sikander had now no rival to the throne of Persia, and he commenced his +government under the most favorable auspices. He continued the same +customs and ordinances which were handed down to him, and retained every +one in his established rank and occupation. He gladdened the heart by +his justice and liberality. Keeping in mind his promise to Dr, he now +wrote to the mother of Roshung, and communicating to her the dying +solicitations of the king, requested her to send Roshung to him, that he +might fulfil the last wish of his brother. The wife of Dr immediately +complied with the command, and sent her daughter with various presents +to Sikander, and she was on her arrival married to the conqueror, +acceding to the customs and laws of the empire. Sikander loved her +exceedingly, and on her account remained some time in Persia, but he at +length determined to proceed into Ind to conquer that country of +enchanters and enchantment. + +On approaching Ind he wrote to Kaid, summoning him to surrender his +kingdom, and received from him the following answer: "I will certainly +submit to thy authority, but I have four things which no other person in +the world possesses, and which I cannot relinquish. I have a daughter, +beautiful as an angel of Paradise, a wise minister, a skilful physician, +and a goblet of inestimable value!" Upon receiving this extraordinary +reply, Sikander again addressed a letter to him, in which he +peremptorily required all these things immediately. Kaid not daring to +refuse, or make any attempt at evasion, reluctantly complied with the +requisition. Sikander received the minister and the physician with great +politeness and attention, and in the evening held a splendid feast, at +which he espoused the beautiful daughter of Kaid, and taking the goblet +from her hands, drank off the wine with which it was filled. After that, +Kaid himself waited upon Sikander, and personally acknowledged his +authority and dominion. + +Sikander then proceeded to claim the allegiance and homage of Far, the +king of Kanj, and wrote to him to submit to his power; but Far +returned a haughty answer, saying:-- + + "Kaid Ind is a coward to obey thee, + But I am Far, descended from a race + Of matchless warriors; and shall I submit, + And to a Greek!" + +Sikander was highly incensed at this bold reply. The force he had now +with him amounted to eighty thousand men; that is, thirty thousand +Irnians, forty thousand Rms, and ten thousand Inds. Far had sixty +thousand horsemen, and two thousand elephants. The troops of Sikander +were greatly terrified at the sight of so many elephants, which gave the +enemy such a tremendous superiority. Aristtals, and some other +ingenious counsellors, were requested to consult together to contrive +some means of counteracting the power of the war-elephants, and they +suggested the construction of an iron horse, and the figure of a rider +also of iron, to be placed upon wheels like a carriage, and drawn by a +number of horses. A soldier, clothed in iron armor, was to follow the +vehicle--his hands and face besmeared with combustible matter, and this +soldier, armed with a long staff, was at an appointed signal, to pierce +the belly of the horse and also of the rider, previously filled with +combustibles, so that when the ignited point came in contact with them, +the whole engine would make a tremendous explosion and blaze in the air. +Sikander approved of this invention, and collected all the blacksmiths +and artisans in the country to construct a thousand machines of this +description with the utmost expedition, and as soon as they were +completed, he prepared for action. Far too pushed forward with his two +thousand elephants in advance; but when the Kanjians beheld such a +formidable array they were surprised, and Far anxiously inquired from +his spies what it could be. Upon being told that it was Sikander's +artillery, his troops pushed the elephants against the enemy with vigor, +at which moment the combustibles were fired by the Rms, and the +machinery exploding, many elephants were burnt and destroyed, and the +remainder, with the troops, fled in confusion. Sikander then encountered +Far, and after a severe contest, slew him, and became ruler of the +kingdom of Kanj. + +After the conquest of Kanj, Sikander went to Mekka, carrying thither +rich presents and offerings. From thence he proceeded to another city, +where he was received with great homage by the most illustrious of the +nation. He enquired of them if there was anything wonderful or +extraordinary in their country, that he might go to see it, and they +replied that there were two trees in the kingdom, one a male, the other +a female, from which a voice proceeded. The male-tree spoke in the day, +and the female-tree in the night, and whoever had a wish, went thither +to have his desires accomplished. Sikander immediately repaired to the +spot, and approaching it, he hoped in his heart that a considerable part +of his life still remained to be enjoyed. When he came under the tree, a +terrible sound arose and rung in his ears, and he asked the people +present what it meant. The attendant priest said it implied that +fourteen years of his life still remained. Sikander, at this +interpretation of the prophetic sound, wept and the burning tears ran +down his cheeks. Again he asked, "Shall I return to Rm, and see my +mother and children before I die?" and the answer was, "Thou wilt die at +Kashn.[51] + + "Nor mother, nor thy family at home + Wilt thou behold again, for thou wilt die, + Closing thy course of glory at Kashn." + +Sikander left the place in sorrow, and pursued his way towards Rm. In +his progress he arrived at another city, and the inhabitants gave him +the most honorable welcome, representing to him, however, that they were +dreadfully afflicted by the presence of two demons or giants, who +constantly assailed them in the night, devouring men and goats and +whatever came in their way. Sikander asked their names; and they +replied, Yjuj and Mjuj (Gog and Magog). He immediately ordered a +barrier to be erected five hundred yards high, and three hundred yards +wide, and when it was finished he went away. The giants, notwithstanding +all their efforts, were unable to scale this barrier, and in consequence +the inhabitants pursued their occupations without the fear of +molestation. + + To scenes of noble daring still he turned + His ardent spirit--for he knew not fear. + Still he led on his legions--and now came + To a strange place, where countless numbers met + His wondering view--countless inhabitants + Crowding the city streets, and neighbouring plains; + And in the distance presently he saw + A lofty mountain reaching to the stars. + Onward proceeding, at its foot he found + A guardian-dragon, terrible in form, + Ready with open jaws to crush his victim; + But unappalled, Sikander him beholding + With steady eye, which scorned to turn aside, + Sprang forward, and at once the monster slew. + + Ascending then the mountain, many a ridge, + Oft resting on the way, he reached the summit, + Where the dead corse of an old saint appeared + Wrapt in his grave-clothes, and in gems imbedded. + In gold and precious jewels glittering round, + Seeming to show what man is, mortal man! + Wealth, worldly pomp, the baubles of ambition, + All left behind, himself a heap of dust! + + None ever went upon that mountain top, + But sought for knowledge; and Sikander hoped + When he had reached its cloudy eminence, + To see the visions of futurity + Arise from that departed, holy man! + And soon he heard a voice: "Thy time is nigh! + Yet may I thy career on earth unfold. + It will be thine to conquer many a realm, + Win many a crown; thou wilt have many friends + And numerous foes, and thy devoted head + Will be uplifted to the very heavens. + Renowned and glorious shalt thou be; thy name + Immortal; but, alas! thy time is nigh!" + At these prophetic words Sikander wept, + And from that ominous mountain hastened down. + +After that Sikander journeyed on to the city of Kashn, where he fell +sick, and in a few days, according to the oracle and the prophecy, +expired. He had scarcely breathed his last, when Arist, and Bilniys +the physician, and his family, entered Kashn, and found him dead. They +beat their faces, and tore their hair, and mourned for him forty days. + + + +FIRDUSI'S INVOCATION + + Thee I invoke, the Lord of Life and Light! + Beyond imagination pure and bright! + To thee, sufficing praise no tongue can give, + We are thy creatures, and in thee we live! + Thou art the summit, depth, the all in all, + Creator, Guardian of this earthly ball; + Whatever is, thou art--Protector, King, + From thee all goodness, truth, and mercy spring. + O pardon the misdeeds of him who now + Bends in thy presence with a suppliant brow. + Teach them to tread the path thy Prophet trod; + To wash his heart from sin, to know his God; + And gently lead him to that home of rest, + Where filled with holiest rapture dwell the blest. + + Saith not that book divine, from Heaven supplied, + "Mustafa is the true, the unerring guide, + The purest, greatest Prophet!" Next him came + Wise Abu Buker, of unblemished name; + Then Omer taught the faith, unknown to guile, + And made the world with vernal freshness smile; + Then Othmn brave th' imperial priesthood graced; + All, led by him, the Prophet's faith embraced. + The fourth was Al; he, the spouse adored + Of Fatima, then spread the saving word. + Al, of whom Mahommed spoke elate, + "I am the city of knowledge--he my gate." + Al the blest. Whoever shall recline + A supplicant at his all-powerful shrine, + Enjoys both this life and the next; in this, + All earthly good, in that, eternal bliss! + + From records true my legends I rehearse, + And string the pearls of wisdom in my verse, + That in the glimmering days of life's decline, + Its fruits, in wealth and honor, may be mine. + My verse, a structure pointing to the skies; + Whose solid strength destroying time defies. + All praise the noble work, save only those + Of impious life, or base malignant foes; + All blest with learning read, and read again, + The sovereign smiles, and thus approves my strain: + "Richer by far, Firdusi, than a mine + Of precious gems, is this bright lay of thine." + Centuries may pass away, but still my page + Will be the boast of each succeeding age. + + Praise, praise to Mahmud, who of like renown, + In battle or the banquet, fills the throne; + Lord of the realms of Chn and Hindstn, + Sovereign and Lord of Persia and Trn, + With his loud voice he rends the flintiest ear; + On land a tiger fierce, untouched by fear, + And on the wave, he seems the crocodile + That prowls amidst the waters of the Nile. + Generous and brave, his equal is unknown; + In deeds of princely worth he stands alone. + The infant in the cradle lisps his name; + The world exults in Mahmud's spotless fame. + In festive hours Heaven smiles upon his truth; + In combat deadly as the dragon's tooth; + Bounteous in all things, his exhaustless hand + Diffuses blessings through the grateful land; + And, of the noblest thoughts and actions, lord; + The soul of Gabriel breathes in every word, + May Heaven with added glory crown his days; + Praise, praise to mighty Mahmud--everlasting praise! + + + +FIRDUSI'S SATIRE ON MAHMUD + + Know, tyrant as thou art, this earthly state + Is not eternal, but of transient date; + Fear God, then, and afflict not human-kind; + To merit Heaven, be thou to Heaven resigned. + Afflict not even the Ant; though weak and small, + It breathes and lives, and life is sweet to all. + Knowing my temper, firm, and stern, and bold, + Didst thou not, tyrant, tremble to behold + My sword blood-dropping? Hadst thou not the sense + To shrink from giving man like me offence? + What could impel thee to an act so base? + What, but to earn and prove thy own disgrace? + Why was I sentenced to be trod upon, + And crushed to death by elephants? By one + Whose power I scorn! Couldst thou presume that I + Would be appalled by thee, whom I defy? + I am the lion, I, inured to blood, + And make the impious and the base my food; + And I could grind thy limbs, and spread them far + As Nile's dark waters their rich treasures bear. + Fear thee! I fear not man, but God alone, + I only bow to his Almighty throne. + Inspired by Him my ready numbers flow; + Guarded by Him I dread no earthly foe. + Thus in the pride of song I pass my days, + Offering to Heaven my gratitude and praise. + + From every trace of sense and feeling free, + When thou art dead, what will become of thee? + If thou shouldst tear me limb from limb, and cast + My dust and ashes to the angry blast, + Firdusi still would live, since on thy name, + Mahmud, I did not rest my hopes of fame + In the bright page of my heroic song, + But on the God of Heaven, to whom belong + Boundless thanksgivings, and on Him whose love + Supports the Faithful in the realms above, + The mighty Prophet! none who e'er reposed + On Him, existence without hope has closed. + + And thou wouldst hurl me underneath the tread + Of the wild elephant, till I were dead! + Dead! by that insult roused, I should become + An elephant in power, and seal thy doom-- + Mahmud! if fear of man hath never awed + Thy heart, at least fear thy Creator, God. + Full many a warrior of illustrious worth, + Full many of humble, of imperial birth: + Tr, Slim, Jemshd, Minchihr the brave, + Have died; for nothing had the power to save + These mighty monarchs from the common doom; + They died, but blest in memory still they bloom. + Thus kings too perish--none on earth remain, + Since all things human seek the dust again. + + O, had thy father graced a kingly throne, + Thy mother been for royal virtues known, + A different fate the poet then had shared, + Honors and wealth had been his just reward; + But how remote from thee a glorious line! + No high, ennobling ancestry is thine; + From a vile stock thy bold career began, + A Blacksmith was thy sire of Isfahn. + Alas! from vice can goodness ever spring? + Is mercy hoped for in a tyrant king? + Can water wash the Ethiopian white? + Can we remove the darkness from the night? + The tree to which a bitter fruit is given, + Would still be bitter in the bowers of Heaven; + And a bad heart keeps on its vicious course; + Or if it changes, changes for the worse; + Whilst streams of milk, where Eden's flowrets blow, + Acquire more honied sweetness as they flow. + The reckless king who grinds the poor like thee, + Must ever be consigned to infamy! + + Now mark Firdusi's strain, his Book of Kings + Will ever soar upon triumphant wings. + All who have listened to its various lore + Rejoice, the wise grow wiser than before; + Heroes of other times, of ancient days, + Forever flourish in my sounding lays; + Have I not sung of Ks, Ts, and Gw; + Of matchless Rustem, faithful, still, and true. + Of the great Demon-binder, who could throw + His kamund to the Heavens, and seize his foe! + Of Hsheng, Feridn, and Sm Suwr, + Lohursp, Kai-khosru, and Isfendiyr; + Gushtsp, Arjsp, and him of mighty name, + Gdarz, with eighty sons of martial fame! + + The toil of thirty years is now complete, + Record sublime of many a warlike feat, + Written midst toil and trouble, but the strain + Awakens every heart, and will remain + A lasting stimulus to glorious deeds; + For even the bashful maid, who kindling reads, + Becomes a warrior. Thirty years of care, + Urged on by royal promise, did I bear, + And now, deceived and scorned, the aged bard + Is basely cheated of his pledged reward! + + + +[FOOTNOTES to the SHH NMEH] + +[Footnote 1: Love at first sight, and of the most enthusiastic kind, is +the passion described in all Persian poems, as if a whole life of love +were condensed into one moment. It is all wild and rapturous. It has +nothing of a rational cast. A casual glance from an unknown beauty often +affords the subject of a poem. The poets whom Dr. Johnson has +denominated metaphysical, such as Donne, Jonson, and Cowley, bear a +strong resemblance to the Persians on the subject of love. + + Now, sure, within this twelvemonth past, + I've loved at least some twenty years or more; + Th' account of love runs much more fast, + Than that with which our life does score: + So, though my life be short, yet I may prove, + The Great Methusalem of love!!! + "Love and Life."--Cowley. + +The odes of Hfiz also, with all their spirit and richness of +expression, abound in conceit and extravagant metaphor. There is, +however, something very beautiful in the passage which may be +paraphrased thus: + + Zephyr thro' thy locks is straying, + Stealing fragrance, charms displaying; + Should it pass where Hfiz lies, + From his conscious dust would rise, + Flowrets of a thousand dyes!] + +[Footnote 2: Ancient Scythia embraced the whole of Trn and the +northern part of Persia. The Trnians are the Scythians of the Greek +Historians, who are said, about the year B.C. 639, to have invaded the +kingdom of the Medes. + +Trn, which is the ancient name of the country of Turkistn, appears +from Des Guignes, to be the source and fountain of all the celebrated +Scythian nations, which, under the name of Goths and Vandals, +subsequently overran the Roman empire. Irn and Trn, according to the +Oriental historians, comprehended all that is comprised in upper Asia, +with the exception of India and China. Every country beyond the pale of +the Persian empire was considered barbarous. The great river called by +the Arabs and Persians, Jihn or Am, and by the Greeks and Romans, +Oxus, divided these two great countries from each other.] + +[Footnote 3: Sm, Sm Suwr, was the son of Narmn. He is said to have +vanquished or tamed a great number of animals and terrible monsters, +amongst which was one remarkable for its ferocity. This furious animal +was called Sohm, on account of its being of the color and nature of +fire. According to fabulous history, he made it his war-horse, in all +his engagements against the Demons.] + +[Footnote 4: The sex of this fabulous animal is not clearly made out! It +tells Zl that it had nursed him like a _father_, and therefore I have, +in this place, adopted the masculine gender, though the preserver of +young ones might authorize its being considered a female. The Smrgh is +probably neither one nor the other, or both! Some have likened the +Smrgh to the Ippogrif or Griffin; but the Smrgh is plainly a biped; +others again have supposed that the fable simply meant a holy recluse of +the mountains, who nourished and educated the poor child which had been +abandoned by its father.] + +[Footnote 5: This custom is derived from the earliest ages of Persia, +and has been continued down to the present times with no abatement of +its pomp or splendor Mr. Morier thus speaks of the progress of the +Embassy to Persia:-- + + "An Istakbl composed of fifty horsemen of our Mehmandar's tribe, + met us about three miles from our encampment; they were succeeded as + we advanced by an assemblage on foot, who threw a glass vessel + filled with sweetmeats beneath the Envoy's horse, a ceremony which + we had before witnessed at Kauzeroon, and which we again understood + to be an honor shared with the King and his sons alone. Then came + two of the principal merchants of Shiraz, accompanied by a boy, the + son of Mahomed Nebee Khan, the new Governor of Bushere. They, + however, incurred the Envoy's displeasure by not dismounting from + their horses, a form always observed in Persia by those of lower + rank, when they met a superior. We were thus met by three Istakbls + during the course of the day."] + +[Footnote 6: The province of Mzindern, of which the principal city is +Amol, comprehends the whole of the southern coast of the Caspian sea. It +was known to the ancients by the name of Hyrcania. At the period to +which the text refers, the country was in the possession of demons.] + +[Footnote 7: The fort called Killah Suffeed, lies about seventy-six +miles northwest of the city of Shiraz. It is of an oblong form, and +encloses a level space at the top of the mountain, which is covered with +delightful verdure, and watered by numerous springs. The ascent is near +three miles, and for the last five or six hundred yards, the summit is +so difficult of approach, that the slightest opposition, if well +directed, must render it impregnable.] + +[Footnote 8: The numerical strength of the Persian and Trnian forces +appears prodigious on all occasions, but nothing when compared with the +army under Xerxes at Thermopylae, which, with the numerous retinue of +servants, eunuchs, and women that attended it, is said to have amounted +to no less than 5,283,220 souls.] + +[Footnote 9: Herodotus speaks of a people confederated with the army of +Xerxes, who employed the noose. "Their principal dependence in action is +upon cords made of twisted leather, which they use in this manner: when +they engage an enemy, they throw out these cords, having a noose at the +extremity; if they entangle in them either horse or man, they without +difficulty put them to death."--Beloe's transl. Polymnia, Sec. 85.] + +[Footnote 10: Istakhar, also called Persepolis, and Chehel-minar, or the +Forty Pillars. This city was said to have been laid in ruins by +Alexander after the conquest of Darius.] + +[Footnote 11: Kai-ks, the second King of Persia of the dynasty called +Kainides. He succeeded Kai-kobd, about six hundred years B.C. +According to Firdusi he was a foolish tyrannical prince. He appointed +Rustem captain-general of the armies, to which the lieutenant-generalship +and the administration of the state was annexed, under the title of "the +champion of the world." He also gave him a taj, or crown of gold, which +kings only were accustomed to wear, and granted him the privilege of +giving audience seated on a throne of gold. It is said that Kai-ks +applied himself much to the study of astronomy, and that he founded two +great observatories, the one at Babel, and the other on the Tigris.] + +[Footnote 12: The armor called Burgustuwn almost covered the horse, and +as usually made of leather and felt-cloth.] + +[Footnote 13: In this hunting excursion he is completely armed, being +supplied with spear, sword, shield, mace, bow and arrows. Like the +knight-errants of after times, he seldom even slept unarmed. Single +combat and the romantic enterprises of European Chivalry may indeed be +traced to the East. Rustem was a most illustrious example of all that is +pious, disinterested, and heroic. The adventure now describing is highly +characteristic of a chivalrous age. In the Dissertation prefixed to +Richardson's Dictionary, mention is made of a famous Arabian +Knight-errant called Abu Mahommud Albatal, "who wandered everywhere in +quest of adventures, and redressing grievances. He was killed in the +year 738."] + +[Footnote 14: As a proof of her innocence Tahmneh declares to Rustem, +"No person has ever seen me out of my private chamber, or even heard the +sound of my voice." It is but just to remark, that the seclusion in +which women of rank continue in Persia, and other parts of the East, is +not, by them, considered intolerable, or even a hardship. Custom has not +only rendered it familiar, but happy. It has nothing of the unprofitable +severity of the cloister. The Zenanas are supplied with everything that +can please and gratify a reasonable wish, and it is well known that the +women of the East have influence and power, more flattering and solid, +than the free unsecluded beauties of the Western world.] + +[Footnote 15: In Percy's Collection, there is an old song which contains +a similar idea. + + You meaner beauties of the night, + That poorly satisfie our eies, + More by your number, than your light; + You common people of the skies, + What are you when the Moon shall rise? + + SIR HENRY WOTTON.] + +[Footnote 16: Kus is a tymbal, or large brass drum, which is beat in the +palaces or camps of Eastern Princes.] + +[Footnote 17: It appears throughout the Shh Nmeh that whenever any +army was put in motion, the inhabitants and the country, whether hostile +or friendly, were equally given up to plunder and devastation, and +"Everything in their progress was burnt and destroyed."] + +[Footnote 18: Literally, Hmn was not at first aware that Sohrb was +wounded in the LIVER. In this organ, Oriental as well as the Greek and +Roman poets, place the residence of love.] + +[Footnote 19: The paper upon which the letters of royal and +distinguished personages in the East are written is usually perfumed, +and covered with curious devices in gold. This was scented with amber. +The degree of embellishment is generally regulated according to the rank +of the party.] + +[Footnote 20: Four days were consumed in uninterrupted feasting. This +seems to have been an ancient practice previous to the commencement of +any important undertaking, or at setting out on a journey.] + +[Footnote 21: Zra, it will be remembered, was the brother of Rustem, +and had the immediate superintendence of the Zbul troops.] + +[Footnote 22: The original is, "Seize and inflict upon him the +punishment of the dar." According to Burhni-katia, dar is a tree upon +which felons are hanged. But the general acceptation of the term is +breaking or tearing the body upon a stake.] + +[Footnote 23: In this speech Rustem recounts the services which he had +performed for Ks. He speaks of his conquests in Egypt, China, +Hmvern, Rm, Sk-sar, and Mzindern. Thus Achilles boasts of his +unrequited achievements in the cause of Greece. + + The warriors now, with sad forebodings wrung, + I sacked twelve ample cities on the main, + And twelve lay smoking on the Trojan plain. + + POPE.--Iliad ix. 328.] + +[Footnote 24: Literally, "Kings ought to be endowed with judgment and +discretion; no advantage can arise from impetuosity and rage." Gdarz +was one of the greatest generals of Persia, he conquered Judea, and took +Jerusalem under the reign of Lohursp, of the first dynasty of Persia, +and sustained many wars against Afrsiyb under the Kings of the second +dynasty. He was the father of Gw, who is also celebrated for his valor +in the following reigns. The opinion of this venerable and distinguished +warrior appears to have had considerable weight and influence with +Ks.] + +[Footnote 25: Ks, in acknowledging the violence Of his disposition, +uses a singular phrase: "When you departed in anger, Champion! I +repented; ashes fell into my mouth." A similar metaphor is used in +Hindstan: If a person falls under the displeasure of his friend, he +says, "Ashes have fallen into my meat": meaning, that his happiness is +gone.] + +[Footnote 26: This is one of Firdusi's favorite similes. + + "My heart became as slender as the new moon."] + +[Footnote 27: The beautiful arbors referred to in the text are often +included within the walls of Eastern palaces. They are fancifully fitted +up, and supplied with reservoirs, fountains, and flower-trees. These +romantic garden-pavilions are called Kiosks in Turkey, and are generally +situated upon an eminence near a running stream.] + +[Footnote 28: Milton alludes to this custom in Paradise Lost: + + Where the gorgeous east with richest hand + Showers on her Kings barbaric pearl and gold. + +In the note on this passage by Warburton, it is said to have been an +eastern ceremony, at the coronation of their Kings, to powder them with +gold-dust and seed-pearl. The expression in Firdusi is, "he showered or +scattered gems." It was usual at festivals, and the custom still exists, +to throw money amongst the people. In Hfiz, the term used is nisar, +which is of the same import. Clarke, in the second volume of his +Travels, speaks of the four principal Sultanas of the Seraglio at +Constantinople being powdered with diamonds: + + "Long spangled robes, open in front, with pantaloons embroidered in + gold and silver, and covered by a profusion of pearls and precious + stones, displayed their persons to great advantage. Their hair hung in + loose and very thick tresses on each side of their cheeks, falling + quite down to the waist, and covering their shoulders behind. Those + tresses were quite powdered with diamonds, not displayed according to + any studied arrangement, but as if carelessly scattered, by handfuls, + among their flowing locks." + +--Vol. ii. p. 14.] + +[Footnote 29: In his descriptions of battle-array, Firdusi seldom omits +"golden slippers," which, however, I have not preserved in this place.] + +[Footnote 30: The original is Sandur[=u]s, sandaraca; for which I have +substituted amber, Sandur[=u]s is the Arabic name for Gum Juniper.] + +[Footnote 31: The banners were adorned with the figure of an elephant, +to denote his royal descent.] + +[Footnote 32: The text says that he was also the son-in-law of Rustem.] + +[Footnote 33: The word Gurz signifies a wild boar, but this acceptation +is not very accordant to Mussulman notions, and consequently it is not +supposed, by the orthodox, to have that meaning in the text. It is +curious that the name of the warrior, Gurz, should correspond with the +bearings on the standard. This frequently obtains in the heraldry of +Europe. Family bearings seem to be used in every country of any degree +of civilization. Krusenstern, the Russian circumnavigator, speaking of +the Japanese, says, "Everyone has his family arms worked into his +clothes, in different places, about the size of a half dollar, a +practice usual to both sexes; and in this manner any person may be +recognized, and the family to which he belongs easily ascertained. A +young lady wears her father's arms until after her marriage, when she +assumes those of her husband. The greatest mark of honor which a Prince +or a Governor can confer upon any one, is to give him a cloak with his +arms upon it, the person having such a one wearing his own arms upon his +under dress."] + +[Footnote 34: Firdusi considers this to be destiny! It would have been +natural in Sohrb to have gloried in the fame of his father, but from an +inevitable dispensation, his lips are here sealed on that subject; and +he inquires of Rustem as if he only wanted to single him out for the +purpose of destroying him. The people of Persia are all fatalists.] + +[Footnote 35: This passage will remind the classical reader of the +speech of Themistocles, in Plutarch, addressed to Xerxes. The Persian +King had assured him of his protection, and ordered him to declare +freely whatever he had to propose concerning Greece. Themistocles +replied, that a man's discourse was like a piece of tapestry which, when +spread open, displays its figures; but when it is folded up, they are +hidden and lost; therefore he begged time. The King, delighted with the +comparison, bade him take what time he pleased; and he desired a year; +in which space he learned the Persian language, so as to be able to +converse with the King without an interpreter.] + +[Footnote 36: Hujr was the son of Gdarz. A family of the extent +mentioned in the text is not of rare occurrence amongst the Princes of +the East. The King of Persia had, in 1809, according to Mr. Morier, +"sixty-five sons!" As the Persians make no account of females, it is not +known how many daughters he had.] + +[Footnote 37: The Kulub-gah is the centre or heart of the army, where +the Sovereign or Chief of the troops usually remains.] + +[Footnote 38: Ahirmun, a demon, the principle of evil.] + +[Footnote 39: This girdle was the gift of the king, as a token of +affection and gratitude. Jonathan gives to David, among other things, +his girdle: "Because he loved him as his own soul."--I Samuel, xviii. 3. +4.] + +[Footnote 40: A crocodile in war, with Firdusi, is a figure of great +power and strength.] + +[Footnote 41: It is difficult to account for this denial of his name, as +there appears to be no equivalent cause. But all the famous heroes, +described in the Shh Nmeh, are as much distinguished for their address +and cunning, as their bravery.] + +[Footnote 42: The original is Um[=u]d, which appears to have been a +weapon made of iron. Um[=u]d also signifies a column, a beam.] + +[Footnote 43: Thus also Sa'di "Knowest thou What Zl said to Rustem the +Champion? Never calculate upon the weakness or insignificance of an +enemy."] + +[Footnote 44: Rustem is as much distinguished for piety as bravery. +Every success is attributed by him to the favor of Heaven. In the +achievement of his labors in the Heft-Khan, his devotion is constant and +he everywhere justly acknowledges that power and victory are derived +from God alone.] + +[Footnote 45: The expression in the original is remarkable. "Assuredly, +as thou hast thirsted for blood, Destiny will also thirst for thine, and +the very hairs upon thy body will become daggers to destroy thee." This +passage is quoted in the preface to the Shh Nmeh, collated by order of +Bayisunghur Khan, as the production of the poet Unsar. Unsar was one +of the seven poets whom Mahmud appointed to give specimens of their +powers in versifying the History of the Kings of Persia. The story of +Rustem and Sohrb fell to Unsar, and his arrangement of it contained +the above verses, which so delighted the Sultan that he directed the +poet to undertake the whole work. This occurred before Firdusi was +introduced at Court and eclipsed every competitor. In compliment to +Mahmud, perhaps he ingrafted them on his own poem, or more probably they +have been interpolated since.] + +[Footnote 46: Jemshd's glory and misfortunes, as said before, are the +constant theme of admiration and reflection amongst the poets of +Persia.] + +[Footnote 47: These medicated draughts are often mentioned in Romances. +The reader will recollect the banter upon them in Don Quixote, where the +Knight of La enumerates to Sancho the cures which had been performed +upon many valorous champions, covered with wounds. The Hinds, in their +books on medicine, talk of drugs for the recovery of the dead!] + +[Footnote 48: Zra conducted the troops of Afrsiyb across the Jihn. +Rustem remained on the field of battle till his return.] + +[Footnote 49: Manjeh was the daughter of Afrsiyb.] + +[Footnote 50: Theocritus introduces a Greek singing-girl in Idyllium xv, +at the festival of Adonis. In the Arabian Nights, the Caliph is +represented at his feasts surrounded by troops of the most beautiful +females playing on various instruments.] + +[Footnote 51: Kashn is here made to be the deathplace of Alexander, +whilst, according to the Greek historians, he died suddenly at Babylon, +as foretold by the magicians, on the 21st of April, B.C. 323, in the +thirty-second year of his age.] + + + + + + +THE RUBIYT OF OMAR KHAYYM + +[_Translation by Edward Fitzgerald_] + + + +Introduction + +It is seldom that we come across a poem which it is impossible to +classify in accordance with European standards. Yet such a poem is +Omar's "Rubiyt." If elegiac poetry is the expression of subjective +emotion, sentiment, and thought, we might class this Persian masterpiece +as elegy; but an elegy is a sustained train of connected imagery and +reflection. The "Rubiyt" is, on the other hand, a string of quatrains, +each of which has all the complete and independent significance of an +epigram. Yet there is so little of that lightness which should +characterize an epigram that we can scarcely put Omar in the same +category with Martial, and it is easy to understand why the author +should have been contented to name his book the "Rubiyt," or +Quatrains, leaving it to each individual to make, if he chooses, a more +definite description of the work. To English readers, Mr. Edward +Fitzgerald's version of the poem has provided one of the most masterly +translations that was ever made from an Oriental classic. For Omar, like +Hfiz, is one of the most Persian of Persian writers. There is in this +volume all the gorgeousness of the East: all the luxury of the most +refined civilization. Omar's bowers are always full of roses; the notes +of the nightingale tremble through his stanzas. The intoxication of wine +and the bright eyes of lovely women are ever present to his mind. The +feast, the revel, the joys of love, and the calm satisfaction of +appetite make up the grosser elements in his song. But the prevailing +note of his music is that of deep and settled melancholy, breaking out +occasionally into words of misanthropy and despair. The keenness and +intensity of this poet's style seem to be inspired by an ever-present +fear of death. This sense of approaching Fate is never absent from him, +even in his most genial moments; and the strange fascination which he +exercises over his readers is largely due to the thrilling sweetness of +some passage which ends in a note of dejection and anguish. + +Strange to say, Omar was the greatest mathematician of his day. The +exactness of his fine and analytic mind is reflected in the exquisite +finish, the subtile wit, the delicate descriptive touches, that abound +in his Quatrains. His verses hang together like gems of the purest water +exquisitely cut and clasped by "jacinth work of subtlest jewelry." But +apart from their masterly technique, these Quatrains exhibit in their +general tone the revolt of a clear intellect from the prevailing bigotry +and fanaticism of an established religion. There is in the poet's mind +the lofty indignation of one who sees, in its true light, the narrowness +of an ignorant and hypocritical clergy, yet can find no solid ground on +which to build up for himself a theory of supernaturalism, illumined by +hope. Yet there are traces of Mysticism in his writings, which only +serve to emphasize his profound longing for some knowledge of the +invisible, and his foreboding that the grave is the "be-all" and +"end-all" of life. The poet speaks in tones of bitterest lamentation +when he sees succumb to Fate all that is bright and fresh and beautiful. +At his brightest moments he gives expression to a vague pantheism, but +all his views of the power that lies behind life are obscured and +perturbed by sceptical despondency. He is the great man of science, who, +like other men of genius too deeply immersed in the study of natural law +or abstract reasoning, has lost all touch with that great world of +spiritual things which we speak of as religion, and which we can only +come in contact with through those instinctive emotions which scientific +analysis very often does so much to stifle. There are many men of +science who, like Darwin, have come, through the study of material +phenomena in nature, to a condition of mind which is indifferent in +matters of religion. But the remarkable feature in the case of Omar is +that he, who could see so clearly and feel so acutely, has been enabled +also to embody in a poem of imperishable beauty the opinions which he +shared with many of his contemporaries. The range of his mind can only +be measured by supposing that Sir Isaac Newton had written Manfred or +Childe Harold. But even more remarkable is what we may call the +modernity of this twelfth century Persian poet. We sometimes hear it +said that great periods of civilization end in a manifestation of +infidelity and despair. There can be no doubt that a great deal of +restlessness and misgiving characterizes the minds of to-day in regard +to all questions of religion. Europe, in the nineteenth century, +as reflected in the works of Byron, Spencer, Darwin, and Schopenhauer, +is very much in the same condition as intellectual Persia in the twelfth +century, so far as the pessimism of Omar is representative of his day. +This accounts for the wide popularity of Fitzgerald's "Rubiyt." The +book has been read eagerly and fondly studied, as if it were a new book +of _fin du sicle_ production: the last efflorescence of intellectual +satiety, cynicism, and despair. Yet the book is eight centuries old, and +it has been the task of this seer of the East to reveal to the West the +heart-sickness under which the nations were suffering. + +Omar Khayym--that is, Omar the tent-maker--was born in the year 1050 at +Nshapr, the little Damascus (as it is called) of Persia: famous as a +seat of learning, as a place of religion, and a centre of commerce. In +the days of Omar it was by far the most important city of Khorasan. The +poet, like his father before him, held a court office under the Vizir of +his day. It was from the stipend which he thus enjoyed that he secured +leisure for mathematical and literary work. His father had been a +khayym, or tent-maker, and his gifted son doubtless inherited the +handicraft as well as the name; but his position at Court released him +from the drudgery of manual labor. He was thus also brought in contact +with the luxurious side of life, and became acquainted with those scenes +of pleasure which he recalls only to add poignancy to the sorrow with +which he contemplates the yesterday of life. Omar's astronomical +researches were continued for many years, and his algebra has been +translated into French: but his greatest claim to renown is based upon +his immortal Quatrains, which will always live as the best expression of +a phase of mind constantly recurring in the history of civilization, +from the days of Anaxagoras to those of Darwin and Spencer. + +E.W. + + + +OMAR KHAYYM +By John Hay + +_Address delivered December 8, 1897, at the Dinner of the Omar Khayym +Club, London_. + +I can never forget my emotions when I first saw Fitzgerald's +translations of the Quatrains. Keats, in his sublime ode on Chapman's +Homer, has described the sensation once for all: + + "Then felt I like some watcher of the skies + When a new planet swims into his ken." + +The exquisite beauty, the faultless form, the singular grace of those +amazing stanzas were not more wonderful than the depth and breadth of +their profound philosophy, their knowledge of life, their dauntless +courage, their serene facing of the ultimate problems of life and death. +Of course the doubt did not spare me, which has assailed many as +ignorant as I was of the literature of the East, whether it was the poet +or the translator to whom was due this splendid result. Was it, in fact, +a reproduction of an antique song, or a mystification of a great modern, +careless of fame and scornful of his time? Could it be possible that in +the eleventh century, so far away as Khorasan, so accomplished a man of +letters lived, with such distinction, such breadth, such insight, such +calm disillusions, such cheerful and jocund despair? Was this +"Weltschmerz," which we thought a malady of our day, endemic in Persia +in 1100? My doubt only lasted until I came upon a literal translation of +the Rubiyt, and I saw that not the least remarkable quality of +Fitzgerald's poem was its fidelity to the original. + +In short, Omar was a Fitzgerald, or Fitzgerald was a reincarnation of +Omar. It was not to the disadvantage of the latter poet that he followed +so closely in the footsteps of the earlier. A man of extraordinary +genius had appeared in the world, had sung a song of incomparable beauty +and power in an environment no longer worthy of him, in a language of +narrow range; for many generations the song was virtually lost; then by +a miracle of creation, a poet, a twin-brother in the spirit to the +first, was born, who took up the forgotten poem and sang it anew with +all its original melody and force, and all the accumulated refinement of +ages of art. It seems to me idle to ask which was the greater master; +each seems greater than his work. The song is like an instrument of +precious workmanship and marvellous tone, which is worthless in common +hands, but when it falls, at long intervals, into the hands of the +supreme master, it yields a melody of transcendent enchantment to all +that have ears to hear. If we look at the sphere of influence of the +poets, there is no longer any comparison. Omar sang to a half-barbarous +province: Fitzgerald to the world. Wherever the English speech is spoken +or read, the "Rubiyt" have taken their place as a classic. There is +not a hill post in India, nor a village in England, where there is not a +coterie to whom Omar Khayym is a familiar friend and a bond of union. +In America he has an equal following, in many regions and conditions. In +the Eastern States his adepts form an esoteric sect; the beautiful +volume of drawings by Mr. Vedder is a centre of delight and suggestion +wherever it exists. In the cities of the West you will find the +Quatrains one of the most thoroughly read books in any club library. I +heard them quoted once in one of the most lonely and desolate spots in +the high Rockies. We had been camping on the Great Divide, our "roof of +the world," where in the space of a few feet you may see two springs, +one sending its waters to the Polar solitudes, the other to the eternal +Carib summer. One morning at sunrise, as we were breaking camp, I was +startled to hear one of our party, a frontiersman born, intoning these +words of sombre majesty:-- + + "Tis but a Tent where takes his one day's rest + A Sultan to the realm of Death addrest; + The Sultan rises, and the dark Ferrash + Strikes, and prepares it for another Guest." + +I thought that sublime setting of primeval forest and pouring canyon was +worthy of the lines; I am sure the dewless, crystalline air never +vibrated to strains of more solemn music. Certainly, our poet can never +be numbered among the great writers of all time. He has told no story; +he has never unpacked his heart in public; he has never thrown the reins +on the neck of the winged horse, and let his imagination carry him where +it listed. "Ah! the crowd must have emphatic warrant," as Browning sang. +Its suffrages are not for the cool, collected observer, whose eyes no +glitter can dazzle, no mist suffuse. The many cannot but resent that air +of lofty intelligence, that pale and subtle smile. But he will hold a +place forever among that limited number, who, like Lucretius and +Epicurus--without range or defiance, even without unbecoming mirth, look +deep into the tangled mysteries of things; refuse credence to the +absurd, and allegiance to arrogant authority; sufficiently conscious of +fallibility to be tolerant of all opinions; with a faith too wide for +doctrine and a benevolence untrammelled by creed; too wise to be wholly +poets, and yet too surely poets to be implacably wise. + + + +THE RUBIYT + + Wake! For the Sun, who scatter'd into flight + The Stars before him from the Field of Night, + Drives Night along with them from Heav'n, and strikes + The Sultan's Turret with a Shaft of Light. + + Before the phantom of False morning died, + Methought a Voice within the Tavern cried, + "When all the Temple is prepared within, + Why nods the drowsy Worshipper outside?" + + And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before + The Tavern shouted--"Open then the Door! + You know how little while we have to stay, + And, once departed, may return no more." + + Now the New Year reviving old Desires, + The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires, + Where the White Hand of Moses on the Bough + Puts out, and Jesus from the Ground suspires. + + Iram indeed is gone with all his Rose, + And Jemshd's Sev'n-ring'd Cup where no one knows; + But still a Ruby kindles in the Vine, + And many a Garden by the Water blows. + + And David's lips are lockt; but in divine + High-piping Pehlev, with "Wine! Wine! Wine! + Red Wine!"--the Nightingale cries to the Rose + That sallow cheek of hers to incarnadine. + + Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring + Your Winter-garment of Repentance fling: + The Bird of Time has but a little way + To flutter--and the Bird is on the Wing. + + Whether at Nshapr or Babylon, + Whether the Cup with sweet or bitter run, + The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop, + The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one. + + Each Morn a thousand Roses brings, you say; + Yes, but where leaves the Rose of Yesterday? + And this first Summer month that brings the Rose + Shall take Jemshd and Kai-kobd away. + + Well, let it take them! What have we to do + With Kai-kobd the Great, or Kai-khosru? + Let Zl and Rustem bluster as they will, + Or Htm call to Supper--heed not you. + + With me along the strip of Herbage strewn + That just divides the desert from the sown, + Where name of Slave and Sultan is forgot-- + And Peace to Mahmud on his golden Throne! + + A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, + A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread--and Thou + Beside me singing in the Wilderness-- + Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow! + + Some for the Glories of This World; and some + Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come; + Ah, take the Cash, and let the Credit go, + Nor heed the rumble of a distant Drum! + + Look to the blowing Rose about us--"Lo, + Laughing," she says, "into the world I blow, + At once the silken tassel of my Purse + Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw." + + And those who husbanded the Golden grain, + And those who flung it to the winds like Rain, + Alike to no such aureate Earth are turn'd + As, buried once, Men want dug up again. + + The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon + Turns Ashes--or it prospers; and anon, + Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face, + Lighting a little hour or two--is gone. + + Think, in this batter'd Caravanserai + Whose Portals are alternate Night and Day, + How Sultan after Sultan with his Pomp + Abode his destined Hour, and went his way. + + They say the Lion and the Lizard keep + The Courts where Jemshd gloried and drank deep: + And Bhrm, that great Hunter--the Wild Ass + Stamps o'er his Head, but cannot break his Sleep. + + I sometimes think that never blows so red + The Rose as where some buried Caesar bled; + That every Hyacinth the Garden wears + Dropt in her Lap from some once lovely Head. + + And this reviving Herb whose tender Green + Fledges the River-Lip on which we lean-- + Ah, lean upon it lightly! for who knows + From what once lovely Lip it springs unseen! + + Ah, my Belovd, fill the Cup that clears + To-day of past Regrets and future Fears: + _To-morrow!_--Why, To-morrow I may be + Myself with Yesterday's Sev'n thousand Years. + + For some we loved, the loveliest and the best + That from his Vintage rolling Time hath prest, + Have drunk their Cup a Round or two before, + And one by one crept silently to rest. + + And we, that now make merry in the Room + They left, and Summer dresses in new bloom, + Ourselves must we beneath the Couch of Earth + Descend--ourselves to make a Couch--for whom? + + Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend, + Before we too into the Dust descend; + Dust into Dust, and under Dust to lie, + Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and--sans End! + + Alike for those who for TO-DAY prepare, + And those that after some TO-MORROW stare, + A Muezzn from the Tower of Darkness cries, + "Fools! your Reward is neither Here nor There." + + Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd + Of the Two Worlds so wisely--they are thrust + Like foolish Prophets forth; their Words to Scorn + Are scattered, and their Mouths are stopt with Dust. + + Myself when young did eagerly frequent + Doctor and Saint, and heard great argument + About it and about: but evermore + Came out by the same door where in I went. + + With them the seed of Wisdom did I sow, + And with mine own hand wrought to make it grow; + And this was all the Harvest that I reap'd-- + "I came like Water, and like Wind I go." + + Into this Universe, and _Why_ not knowing + Nor _Whence_, like Water willy-nilly flowing; + And out of it, as Wind along the Waste, + I know not _Whither_, willy-nilly blowing. + + What, without asking, hither hurried _Whence_? + And, without asking, _Whither_ hurried hence! + Oh, many a Cup of this forbidden Wine + Must drown the memory of that insolence! + + Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate + I rose, and on the Throne of Saturn sate, + And many a Knot unravel'd by the Road; + But not the Master-knot of Human Fate. + + There was the Door to which I found no Key; + There was the Veil through which I might not see: + Some little talk awhile of ME and THEE + There was--and then no more of THEE and ME. + + Earth could not answer; nor the Seas that mourn + In flowing Purple, of their Lord forlorn; + Nor rolling Heaven, with all his Signs reveal'd + And hidden by the sleeve of Night and Morn. + + Then of the THEE IN ME who works behind + The Veil, I lifted up my hands to find + A lamp amid the Darkness; and I heard, + As from Without--"THE ME WITHIN THEE BLIND!" + + Then to the Lip of this poor earthen Urn + I lean'd, the Secret of my Life to learn: + And Lip to Lip it murmur'd--"While you live, + Drink!--for, once dead, you never shall return." + + I think the Vessel, that with fugitive + Articulation answer'd, once did live, + And drink; and Ah! the passive Lip I kiss'd, + How many Kisses might it take--and give! + + For I remember stopping by the way + To watch a Potter thumping his wet Clay: + And with its all-obliterated Tongue + It murmur'd--"Gently, Brother, gently, pray!" + + And has not such a story from of Old + Down Man's successive generations roll'd + Of such a clod of saturated Earth + Cast by the Maker into Human mould? + + And not a drop that from our Cups we throw + For Earth to drink of, but may steal below + To quench the fire of Anguish in some Eye + There hidden--far beneath, and long ago. + + As then the Tulip for her morning sup + Of Heav'nly Vintage from the soil looks up, + Do you devoutly do the like, till Heav'n + To Earth invert you--like an empty Cup. + + Perplext no more with Human or Divine, + To-morrow's tangle to the winds resign, + And lose your fingers in the tresses of + The Cypress-slender Minister of Wine. + + And if the Wine you drink, the Lip you press, + End in what All begins and ends in--Yes; + Think then you are To-day what Yesterday + You were--To-morrow you shall not be less. + + So when that Angel of the darker Drink + At last shall find you by the river-brink, + And, offering his Cup, invite your Soul + Forth to your Lips to quaff--you shall not shrink. + + Why, if the Soul can fling the Dust aside, + And naked on the Air of Heaven ride, + Were't not a Shame--were't not a Shame for him + In this clay carcase crippled to abide? + + 'Tis but a Tent where takes his one day's rest + A Sultan to the realm of Death addrest; + The Sultan rises, and the dark Ferrash + Strikes, and prepares it for another Guest + + And fear not lest Existence closing your + Account, and mine, should know the like no more; + The Eternal Sk from the Bowl has pour'd + Millions of Bubbles like us, and will pour. + + When You and I behind the Veil are past, + Oh, but the long, long while the World shall last, + Which of our Coming and Departure heeds + As the Sea's self should heed a pebble-cast. + + A Moment's Halt--a momentary taste + Of Being from the Well amid the Waste-- + And Lo!--the phantom Caravan has reach'd + The Nothing it set out from--Oh, make haste! + + Would you that spangle of Existence spend + About THE SECRET--quick about it, Friend! + A Hair perhaps divides the False and True-- + And upon what, prithee, may life depend? + + A Hair perhaps divides the False and True; + Yes; and a single Alif were the clue-- + Could you but find it--to the Treasure-house, + And peradventure to THE MASTER too; + + Whose secret Presence, through Creation's veins + Running Quicksilver-like eludes your pains; + Taking all shapes from Mh to Mh; and + They change and perish all--but He remains; + + A moment guess'd--then back behind the Fold + Immerst of Darkness round the Drama roll'd + Which, for the Pastime of Eternity, + He doth Himself contrive, enact, behold. + + But if in vain, down on the stubborn floor + Of Earth, and up to Heav'n's unopening Door, + You gaze To-day, while You are You--how then + To-morrow, when You shall be You no more? + + Waste not your Hour, nor in the vain pursuit + Of This and That endeavor and dispute; + Better be jocund with the fruitful Grape + Than sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit. + + You know, my Friends, with what a brave Carouse + I made a Second Marriage in my house; + Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed, + And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse. + + For "Is" and "Is-not" though with Rule and Line + And "Up-and-down" by Logic I define, + Of all that one should care to fathom, I + Was never deep in anything but--Wine. + + Ah, but my Computations, People say, + Reduced the Year to better reckoning?--Nay, + 'Twas only striking from the Calendar + Unborn To-morrow, and dead Yesterday. + + And lately, by the Tavern Door agape, + Came shining through the Dusk an Angel Shape + Bearing a Vessel on his Shoulder; and + He bid me taste of it; and 'twas--the Grape! + + The Grape that can with Logic absolute + The Two-and-Seventy jarring Sects confute: + The Sovereign Alchemist that in a trice + Life's leaden metal into Gold transmute: + + The mighty Mahmud, Allah-breathing Lord, + That all the misbelieving and black Horde + Of Fears and Sorrows that infest the Soul + Scatters before him with his whirlwind Sword. + + Why, be this Juice the growth of God, who dare + Blaspheme the twisted tendril as a Snare? + A Blessing, we should use it, should we not? + And if a Curse--why, then, Who set it there? + + I must abjure the Balm of Life, I must, + Scared by some After-reckoning ta'en on trust, + Or lured with Hope of some Diviner Drink, + To fill the Cup--when crumbled into Dust! + + Oh threats of Hell and Hopes of Paradise! + One thing at least is certain--This Life flies; + One thing is certain and the rest is Lies; + The Flower that once has blown forever dies. + + Strange, is it not? that of the myriads who + Before us pass'd the door of Darkness through, + Not one returns to tell us of the Road, + Which to discover we must travel too. + + The Revelations of Devout and Learn'd + Who rose before us, and as Prophets burn'd, + Are all but Stories, which, awoke from Sleep + They told their comrades, and to Sleep return'd. + + I sent my Soul through the Invisible, + Some letter of that After-life to spell: + And by and by my Soul return'd to me, + And answered, "I Myself am Heav'n and Hell:" + + Heav'n but the Vision of fulfill'd Desire, + And Hell the Shadow from a Soul on fire, + Cast on the Darkness into which Ourselves, + So late emerged from, shall so soon expire. + + We are no other than a moving row + Of Magic Shadow-shapes that come and go + Round with the Sun-illumined Lantern held + In Midnight by the Master of the Show; + + But helpless Pieces of the Game He plays + Upon this Checker-board of Nights and Days; + Hither and thither moves, and checks, and slays, + And one by one back in the Closet lays. + + The Ball no question makes of Ayes and Noes, + But Here or There as strikes the Player goes; + And He that toss'd you down into the Field, + _He_ knows about it all--HE knows--HE knows! + + The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, + Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit + Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, + Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it. + + And that inverted Bowl they call the Sky, + Whereunder crawling coop'd we live and die, + Lift not your hands to _It_ for help--for It + As impotently moves as you or I. + + With Earth's first Clay They did the Last Man knead, + And there of the Last Harvest sow'd the Seed: + And the first Morning of Creation wrote + What the Last Dawn of Reckoning shall read. + + Yesterday This Day's Madness did prepare; + To-morrow's Silence, Triumph, or Despair: + Drink! for you know not whence you came, nor why: + Drink! for you know not why you go, nor where. + + I tell you this--When, started from the Goal, + Over the flaming shoulders of the Foal + Of Heav'n Parwn and Mushtar they flung, + In my predestined Plot of Dust and Soul + + The Vine had struck a fibre: which about + If clings my Being--let the Dervish flout; + Of my Base metal may be filed a Key, + That shall unlock the Door he howls without. + + And this I know: whether the one True Light + Kindle to Love, or Wrath-consume me quite, + One Flash of It within the Tavern caught + Better than in the Temple lost outright. + + What! out of senseless Nothing to provoke + A conscious Something to resent the yoke + Of unpermitted Pleasure, under pain + Of Everlasting Penalties, if broke! + + What! from his helpless Creature be repaid + Pure Gold for what he lent him dross-allay'd-- + Sue for a Debt he never did contract, + And cannot answer--Oh the sorry trade! + + Oh Thou, who didst with pitfall and with gin + Beset the Road I was to wander in, + Thou wilt not with Predestined Evil round + Enmesh, and then impute my Fall to Sin! + + O Thou, who Man of baser Earth didst make, + And ev'n with Paradise devise the Snake: + For all the Sin wherewith the Face of Man + Is blacken'd--Man's forgiveness give--and take! + + As under cover of departing Day + Slunk hunger-stricken Ramazn away, + Once more within the Potter's house alone + I stood, surrounded by the Shapes of Clay. + + Shapes of all Sorts and Sizes, great and small, + That stood along the floor and by the wall; + And some loquacious Vessels were; and some + Listen'd perhaps, but never talk'd at all. + + Said one among them--"Surely not in vain + My substance of the common Earth was ta'en + And to this Figure moulded, to be broke, + Or trampled back to shapeless Earth again." + + Then said a Second--"Ne'er a peevish Boy + Would break the Bowl from which he drank in joy; + And He that with his hand the Vessel made + Will surely not in after Wrath destroy." + + After a momentary silence spake + Some Vessel of a more ungainly Make; + "They sneer at me for leaning all awry: + What! did the Hand then of the Potter shake?" + + Whereat some one of the loquacious Lot-- + I think a Sfi pipkin--waxing hot-- + "All this of Pot and Potter--Tell me, then, + Who is the Potter, pray, and who the Pot?" + + "Why," said another, "some there are who tell + Of one who threatens he will toss to Hell + The luckless Pots he marr'd in making--Pish! + He's a Good Fellow, and 't will all be well." + + "Well," murmur'd one, "let whoso make or buy, + My Clay with long Oblivion is gone dry: + But fill me with the old familiar Juice, + Methinks I might recover by and by." + + So while the Vessels one by one were speaking, + The little Moon look'd in that all were seeking: + And then they jogg'd each other, "Brother! Brother! + Now for the Potter's shoulder-knot a-creaking!" + + Ah, with the Grape my fading Life provide, + And wash the Body whence the Life has died, + And lay me, shrouded in the living Leaf, + By some not unfrequented Garden-side. + + That ev'n my buried Ashes such a snare + Of Vintage shall fling up into the Air + As not a True-believer passing by + But shall be overtaken unaware. + + Indeed the Idols I have loved so long + Have done my credit in this World much wrong: + Have drown'd my Glory in a shallow Cup, + And sold my Reputation for a Song. + + Indeed, indeed, Repentance oft before + I swore--but was I sober when I swore? + And then and then came Spring, and Rose-in-hand + My threadbare Penitence apieces tore. + + And much as Wine has play'd the Infidel, + And robb'd me of my Robe of Honor--Well, + I wonder often what the Vintners buy + One half so precious as the stuff they sell. + + Yet ah, that Spring should vanish with the Rose! + That Youth's sweet-scented manuscript should close! + The Nightingale that in the branches sang, + Ah whence, and whither flown again, who knows! + + Would but the Desert of the Fountain yield + One glimpse--if dimly, yet indeed, reveal'd, + To which the fainting Traveller might spring, + As springs the trampled herbage of the field! + + Would but some wingd Angel ere too late + Arrest the yet unfolded Roll of Fate, + And make the stern Recorder otherwise + Enregister, or quite obliterate! + + Ah, Love! could you and I with Him conspire + To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things entire, + Would not we shatter it to bits--and then + Re-mould it nearer to the Heart's Desire! + + Yon rising Moon that looks for us again-- + How oft hereafter will she wax and wane; + How oft hereafter rising look for us + Through this same Garden--and for _one_ in vain! + + And when like her, oh Sk, you shall pass + Among the Guests Star-scatter'd on the Grass, + And in your joyous errand reach the spot + Where I made One--turn down an empty Glass! + + + + + + +THE DIVAN + +BY HFIZ + +[_Translation by H. Bicknell_] + + + +NOTE + +The reader will be struck with the apparent want of unity in many of the +Odes. The Orientals compare each couplet to a single pearl and the +entire "Ghazal," or Ode, to a string of pearls. It is the rhyme, not +necessarily the sense, which links them together. Hence the single +pearls or couplets may often be arranged in various orders without +injury to the general effect; and it would probably be impossible to +find two manuscripts either containing the same number of Odes, or +having the same couplets following each other in the same order. + + + +INTRODUCTION + +We are told in the Persian histories that when Tamerlane, on his +victorious progress through the East, had reached Shiraz, he halted +before the gates of the city and sent two of his followers to search in +the bazar for a certain dervish Muhammad Shams-ad-din, better known to +the world by the name of Hfiz. And when this man of religion, wearing +the simple woollen garment of a Sufi, was brought into the presence of +the great conqueror, he was nothing abashed at the blaze of silks and +jewelry which decorated the pavilion where Tamerlane sat in state. And +Tamerlane, meeting the poet with a frown of anger, said, "Art not thou +the insolent verse-monger who didst offer my two great cities Samarkand +and Bokhara for the black mole upon thy lady's cheek?" "It is true," +replied Hfiz calmly, smiling, "and indeed my munificence has been so +great throughout my life, that it has left me destitute, so that I shall +be hereafter dependent upon thy generosity for a livelihood." The reply +of the poet, as well as his imperturbable self-possession, pleased the +Asiatic Alexander, and he dismissed Hfiz with a liberal present. + +This story, we are told, cannot be true, for Tamerlane did not reach +Shiraz until after the death of the greatest of Persian lyric poets; but +if it is not true in fact, it is true in spirit, and gives the real key +to the character of Hfiz. For we must look upon Hfiz as one of the few +poets in the world who utters an unbroken strain of joy and contentment. +His poverty was to him a constant fountain of satisfaction, and he +frankly took the natural joys of life as they came, supported under +every vicissitude by his religious sense of the goodness and kindliness +of the One God, manifested in everything in the world that was sweet and +genial, and beautiful to behold. It is strange that we have to go to the +literature of Persia to find a poet whose deep religious convictions +were fully reconciled with the theory of human existence which was +nothing more or less than an optimistic hedonism. There is nothing +parallel to this in classic literature. The greatest of Roman +Epicureans, the materialist, whose maxim was: enjoy the present for +there is no God, and no to-morrow, speaks despairingly of that drop of +bitterness, which rises in the fountain of Delight and brings torture, +even amid the roses of the feast. It is with mocking irony that Dante +places Epicurus in the furnace-tombs of his Inferno amid those +heresiarchs who denied the immortality of the soul. Hfiz was an +Epicurean without the atheism or the despair of Epicurus. The roses in +his feast are ever fresh and sweet and there is nothing of bitterness in +the perennial fountain of his Delight. This unruffled serenity, this +joyful acceptance of material existence and its pleasures are not in the +Persian poet the result of the carelessness and shallowness of Horace, +or the cold-blooded worldliness and sensuality of Martial. The theory of +life which Hfiz entertained was founded upon the relation of the human +soul to God. The one God of Sufism was a being of exuberant benignity, +from whose creative essence proceeded the human soul, whose experiences +on earth were intended to fit it for re-entrance into the circle of +light and re-absorption into the primeval fountain of being. In +accordance with the beautiful and pathetic imagery of the Mystic, life +was merely a journey of many stages, and every manifestation of life +which the traveller met on the high road was a manifestation and a gift +of God Himself. Every stage on the journey towards God which the soul +made in its religious experience was like a wayside inn in which to rest +awhile before resuming the onward course. The pleasures of life, all +that charmed the eye, all that gratified the senses, every draught that +intoxicated, and every fruit that pleased the palate, were, in the +pantheistic doctrine of the Sufi considered as equally good, because God +was in each of them, and to partake of them was therefore to be united +more closely with God. Never was a theology so well calculated to put to +rest the stings of doubt or the misgivings of the pleasure-seeker. This +theology is of the very essence of Hfiz's poetry. It is in full +reliance on this interpretation of the significance of human existence +that Hfiz faces the fierce Tamerlane with a placid smile, plunges +without a qualm into the deepest abysses of pleasure, finds in the +love-song of the nightingale the voice of God, and in the bright eyes of +women and the beaker brimming with crimson wine the choicest sacraments +of life, the holiest and the most sublime intermediaries between divine +and human life. + +It is this that makes Hfiz almost the only poet of unadulterated +gladsomeness that the world has ever known. There is no shadow in his +sky, no discord in his music, no bitterness in his cup. He passes +through life like a happy pilgrim, singing all the way, mounting in his +own way from strength to strength, sure of a welcome when he reaches the +goal, contented with himself, because every manifestation of life of +which he is conscious must be the stirrings within him of that divinity +of which he is a portion. When we have thus spoken of Hfiz we have said +almost all that is known of the Persian lyric poet, for to know Hfiz we +must read his verses, whose magic charm is as great for Europeans as for +Asiatics. The endless variety of his expressions, the deep earnestness +of his convictions, the persistent gayety of his tone, are qualities of +irresistible attractiveness. Even to this day his tomb is visited as the +Mecca of literary pilgrims, and his numbers are cherished in the memory +and uttered on the tongue of all educated Persians. The particulars of +his life may be briefly epitomized as follows: He was born at Shiraz in +the early part of the fourteenth century, dying in the year 1388. The +name Hfiz means, literally, the man who remembers, and was applied to +himself by Hfiz from the fact that he became a professor of the +Mohammedan scriptures, and for this purpose had committed to memory the +text of the Koran. His manner of life was not approved of by the +dervishes of the monastic college in which he taught, and he satirizes +his colleagues in revenge for their animadversions. The whole Mohammedan +world hailed with delight the lyrics which Hfiz published to the world, +and kings and rulers vied with each other in making offers to him of +honors and hospitality. At one time he started for India on the +invitation of a great Southern Prince, who sent a vessel to meet him on +the way, but the hardships of the sea were too severe for him, and he +made his way back to Shiraz without finishing his journey. + +His out-and-out pantheism, as well as his manner of life, caused him at +his death to be denied burial in consecrated ground. The ecclesiastical +authorities were, however, induced to relent in their plan of +excommunication at the dictates of a passage from the poet's writings, +which was come upon by opening the book at random. The passage ran as +follows: "Turn not thy feet from the bier of Hfiz, for though immersed +in sin, he will be admitted into Paradise." And so he rests in the +cemetery at Shiraz, where the nightingales are singing and the roses +bloom the year through, and the doves gather with low murmurs amid the +white stones of the sacred enclosure. The poets of nature, the mystical +pantheist, the joyous troubadour of life, Hfiz, in the naturalness and +spontaneity of his poetry, and in the winning sweetness of his imagery, +occupies a unique place in the literature of the world, and has no rival +in his special domain. + + + +FRAGMENT BY HFIZ + +_In Praise of His Verses_. + + The beauty of these verses baffles praise: + What guide is needed to the solar blaze? + Extol that artist by whose pencil's aid + The virgin, Thought, so richly is arrayed. + For her no substitute can reason show, + Nor any like her human judgment know. + This verse, a miracle, or magic white-- + Brought down some voice from Heaven, or Gabriel bright? + By me as by none else are secrets sung, + No pearls of poesy like mine are strung. + + + +THE DIVAN + + + +I + + "Al y ayyuha's-Sk!"--pass round and offer thou the bowl, + For love, which seemed at first so easy, has now brought trouble to my + soul. + + With yearning for the pod's aroma, which by the East that lock shall + spread + From that crisp curl of musky odor, how plenteously our hearts have + bled! + + Stain with the tinge of wine thy prayer-mat, if thus the aged Magian + bid, + For from the traveller from the Pathway[1] no stage nor usage can be + hid. + + Shall my beloved one's house delight me, when issues ever and anon + From the relentless bell the mandate: "'Tis time to bind thy litters + on"? + + The waves are wild, the whirlpool dreadful, the shadow of the night + steals o'er, + How can my fate excite compassion in the light-burdened of the shore? + + Each action of my froward spirit has won me an opprobrious name; + Can any one conceal the secret which the assembled crowds proclaim? + + If Joy be thy desire, O Hfiz, + From Him far distant never dwell. + "As soon as thou hast found thy Loved one, + Bid to the world a last farewell." + + + +II + + Thou whose features clearly-beaming make the moon of Beauty bright, + Thou whose chin contains a well-pit[2] which to Loveliness gives light. + + When, O Lord! shall kindly Fortune, sating my ambition, pair + This my heart of tranquil nature and thy wild and ruffled hair? + + Pining for thy sight my spirit trembling on my lip doth wait: + Forth to speed it, back to lead it, speak the sentence of its fate. + + Pass me with thy skirt uplifted from the dusty bloody ground: + Many who have been thy victims dead upon this path are found. + + How this heart is anguish-wasted let my heart's possessor know: + Friends, your souls and mine contemplate, equal by their common woe. + + Aught of good accrues to no one witched by thy Narcissus eye: + Ne'er let braggarts vaunt their virtue, if thy drunken orbs are nigh. + + Soon my Fortune sunk in slumber shall her limbs with vigor brace: + Dashed upon her eye is water, sprinkled by thy shining face. + + Gather from thy cheek a posy, speed it by the flying East; + Sent be perfume to refresh me from thy garden's dust at least. + + Hfiz offers a petition, listen, and "Amen" reply: + "On thy sugar-dropping rubies let me for life's food rely." + + Many a year live on and prosper, Sks of the court of Jem,[3] + E'en though I, to fill my wine-cup, never to your circle come. + + East wind, when to Yazd thou wingest, say thou to its sons from me: + "May the head of every ingrate ball-like 'neath your mall-bat be!" + + "What though from your dais distant, near it by my wish I seem; + Homage to your Ring I render, and I make your praise my theme." + + Shh of Shahs, of lofty planet, Grant for God what I implore; + Let me, as the sky above thee, Kiss the dust which strews thy floor. + + + +V + + Up, Sk!--let the goblet flow; + Strew with dust the head of our earthly woe! + + Give me thy cup; that, joy-possessed, + I may tear this azure cowl from my breast,[4] + + The wise may deem me lost to shame, + But no care have I for renown or name. + + Bring wine!--how many a witless head + By the wind of pride has with dust been spread! + + My bosom's fumes, my sighs so warm, + Have inflamed yon crude and unfeeling swarm.[5] + + This mad heart's secret, well I know, + Is beyond the thoughts of both high and low. + + E'en by that sweetheart charmed am I, + Who once from my heart made sweetness fly. + + Who that my Silvern Tree hath seen, + Would regard the cypress that decks the green?[6] + + In grief be patient, + Night and day, + Till thy fortune, Hfiz, + Thy wish obey. + + + +VI + + My heart no longer brooks my hand: sages, aid for God my woe! + Else, alas! my secret-deep soon the curious world must know. + + The bark we steer has stranded: O breeze auspicious swell: + We yet may see once more the Friend we love so well. + + The ten days' favor of the Sphere--magic is; a tale which lies! + Thou who wouldst befriend thy friends, seize each moment ere it flies. + + At night, 'mid wine and flowers, the bulbul tuned his song: + "Bring thou the morning bowl: prepare, ye drunken throng!" + + Sikander's mirror, once so famed, is the wine-filled cup: behold + All that haps in Dr's realm glassed within its wondrous mould.[7] + + O bounteous man, since Heaven sheds o'er thee blessings mild, + Inquire, one day at least, how fares Misfortune's child. + + What holds in peace this twofold world, let this twofold sentence show: + "Amity to every friend, courtesy to every foe." + + Upon the way of honor, impeded was my range; + If this affect thee, strive my destiny to change. + + That bitter, which the Sfi styled "Mother of all woes that be,"[8] + Seems, with maiden's kisses weighed, better and more sweet to me. + + Seek drunkenness and pleasure till times of strait be o'er: + This alchemy of life can make the beggar Kore.[9] + + Submit; or burn thou taper-like e'en from jealousy o'er-much: + Adamant no less than wax, melts beneath that charmer's touch. + + When fair ones talk in Persian, the streams of life out-well: + This news to pious Pirs, my Sk, haste to tell. + + Since Hfiz, not by his own choice, + This his wine-stained cowl did win, + Shaikh, who hast unsullied robes, + Hold me innocent of sin.[10] + + Arrayed in youthful splendor, the orchard smiles again; + News of the rose enraptures the bulbul of sweet strain. + + Breeze, o'er the meadow's children, when thy fresh fragrance blows, + Salute for me the cypress, the basil, and the rose. + + If the young Magian[11] dally with grace so coy and fine, + My eye shall bend their fringes to sweep the house of wine. + + O thou whose bat of amber hangs o'er a moon below,[12] + Deal not to me so giddy, the anguish of a blow. + + I fear that tribe of mockers who topers' ways impeach, + Will part with their religion the tavern's goal to reach. + + To men of God be friendly: in Noah's ark was earth[13] + Which deemed not all the deluge one drop of water worth. + + As earth, two handfuls yielding, shall thy last couch supply, + What need to build thy palace, aspiring to the sky? + + Flee from the house of Heaven, and ask not for her bread: + Her goblet black shall shortly her every guest strike dead.[14] + + To thee, my Moon of Kanaan, the Egyptian throne pertains; + At length has come the moment that thou shouldst quit thy chains. + + I know not what dark projects those pointed locks design, + That once again in tangles their musky curls combine. + + Be gay, drink wine, and revel; + But not, like others, care, + O Hfiz, from the Koran + To weave a wily snare! + + + +XII + + Oh! where are deeds of virtue and this frail spirit where? + How wide the space that sunders the bounds of Here and There! + + Can toping aught in common with works and worship own? + Where is regard for sermons, where is the rebeck's Tone?[15] + + My heart abhors the cloister, and the false cowl its sign: + Where is the Magian's cloister, and where is his pure wine? + + 'Tis fled: may memory sweetly mind me of Union's days! + Where is that voice of anger, where those coquettish ways? + + Can a foe's heart be kindled by the friend's face so bright? + Where is a lamp unlighted, and the clear Day-star's light? + + As dust upon thy threshold supplies my eyes with balm, + If I forsake thy presence, where can I hope for calm? + + Turn from that chin's fair apple; a pit is on the way. + To what, O heart, aspir'st thou? Whither thus quickly? Say! + + Seek not, O friend, in Hfiz + Patience, nor rest from care: + Patience and rest--what are they? + Where is calm slumber, where? + + + +XIV + + At eve a son of song--his heart be cheerful long!-- + Piped on his vocal reed a soul-inflaming lay. + + So deeply was I stirred, that melody once heard, + That to my tearful eyes the things of earth grew gray. + + With me my Sk was, and momently did he + At night the sun of Da[16] by lock and cheek display. + + When he perceived my wish, he filled with wine the bowl; + Then said I to that youth whose track was Fortune's way: + + "Sk, from Being's prison deliverance did I gain, + When now and now the cup thou lit'st with cheerful ray. + + "God guard thee here below from all the haps of woe; + God in the Seat of Bliss reward thee on His day!" + + When Hfiz rapt has grown, + How, at one barleycorn, + Should he appraise the realm, + E'en of Ks the Kay?[17] + + + +XVI + + I said: "O Monarch of the lovely, a stranger seeks thy grace this day." + I heard: "The heart's deceitful guidance inclines the stranger from + his way." + + Exclaimed I then: "One moment tarry!" "Nay," was the answer, "let me go; + How can the home-bred child be troubled by stories of a stranger's + woe?" + + Shall one who, gently nurtured, slumbers with royal ermine for a bed, + "Care if on rocks or thorns reposing the stranger rests his weary head?" + + O thou whose locks hold fast on fetters so many a soul known long ago, + How strange that musky mole and charming upon thy cheek of vermil glow! + + Strange is that ant-like down's appearance circling the oval of thy + face; + Yet musky shade is not a stranger within the Hall which paintings + grace.[18] + + A crimson tint, from wine reflected gleams in that face of moonlight + sheen; + E'en as the bloom of syrtis, strangely, o'er clusters of the pale + Nasrn.[19] + + I said: "O thou, whose lock so night-black is evening in the + stranger's sight, + Be heedful if, at break of morning, the stranger sorrow for his + plight." + + "Hfiz," the answer was, "familiars + Stand in amaze at my renown; + It is no marvel if a stranger + In weariness and grief sit down." + + + +XVII + + 'Tis morn; the clouds a ceiling make: + The morn-cup, mates, the morn-cup take! + + Drops of dew streak the tulip's cheek; + The wine-bowl, friends, the wine-bowl seek + + The greensward breathes a gale divine; + Drink, therefore, always limpid wine. + + The Flower her emerald throne displays: + Bring wine that has the ruby's blaze + + Again is closed the vintner's store, + "Open, Thou Opener of the door!"[20] + + While smiles on us the season's boon, + I marvel that they close so soon. + + Thy lips have salt-rights, 'tis confessed, + O'er wounds upon the fire-burnt breast. + + Hfiz, let not + Thy courage fail! + Fortune, thy charmer + Shall unveil. + + + +XIX + + Lo! from thy love's enchanting bowers Rizvn's bright gardens fresher + grow;[21] + From the fierce heat thine absence kindles, Gehenna's flames intenser + glow. + + To thy tall form and cheek resplendent, as to a place of refuge, fleet + Heaven and the Tb-tree, and find there--"Happiness--and a fair + retreat."[22] + + When nightly the celestial river glides through the garden of the skies, + As my own eye, it sees in slumber, nought but thy drunk narcissus eyes. + + Each section of the spring-tide's volume makes a fresh comment on thy + name, + Each portal of the Empyrean murmurs the title of thy fame. + + My heart has burned, but to ambition, the aim, still wished for, is + denied: + These tears that tinged with blood are flowing, if I could reach it, + would be dried. + + What ample power thy salt-rights give thee (which both thy mouth and + lips can claim), + Over a breast by sorrow wounded, and a heart burnt within its flame! + + Oh! think not that the amorous only are drunk with rapture at thy sway: + Hast thou not heard of zealots, also, as reckless and as wrecked as + they? + + By thy lips' reign I hold it proven that the bright ruby's sheen is won + By the resplendent light that flashes out of a world-illuming sun.[23] + + Fling back thy veil! how long, oh tell me! shall drapery thy beauty + pale? + This drapery, no profit bringing, can only for thy shame avail. + + A fire within the rose's bosom was kindled when she saw thy face; + And soon as she inhaled thy fragrance, she grew all rose-dew from + disgrace. + + The love thy countenance awakens whelms Hfiz in misfortune's sea; + Death threatens him! ho there! give help, ere yet that he has ceased + to be! + + While life is thine, consent not, Hfiz, + That it should speed ignobly by; + But strive thou to attain the object + Of thy existence ere thou die. + + + +XX + + I swear--my master's soul bear witness, faith of old times, and + promise leal!-- + At early morning, my companion, is prayer for thy unceasing weal. + + My tears, a more o'erwhelming deluge than was the flood which Noah + braved, + Have washed not from my bosom's tablet the image which thy love has + graved. + + Come deal with me, and strike thy bargain: I have a broken heart to + sell, + Which in its ailing state out-values a hundred thousand which are well. + + Be lenient, if thou deem me drunken: on the primeval day divine + Love, who possessed my soul as master, bent my whole nature unto wine. + + Strive after truth that for thy solace the Sun may in thy spirit rise; + For the false dawn of earlier morning grows dark of face because it + lies.[24] + + O heart, thy friend's exceeding bounty should free thee from unfounded + dread; + This instant, as of love thou vauntest, be ready to devote thy head! + + I gained from thee my frantic yearning for mountains and the barren + plain, + Yet loath art thou to yield to pity, and loosen at mid-height my chain. + + If the ant casts reproach on saf, with justice does her tongue upbraid, + For when his Highness lost Jem's signet, no effort for the quest he + made.[25] + + No constancy--yet grieve not, Hfiz-- + Expect thou from the faithless fair; + What right have we to blame the garden, + Because the plant has withered there? + + + +XXII + + Veiled in my heart my fervent love for him dwells, + And my true eye holds forth a glass to his spells. + + Though the two worlds ne'er bowed my head when elate, + Favors as his have bent my neck with their weight. + + Thine be the lote, but I Love's stature would reach. + High like his zeal ascends the fancy of each. + + Yet who am I that sacred temple to tread? + Still let the East that portal guard in my stead! + + Spots on my robe--shall they arouse my complaint? + Nay! the world knows that he at least has no taint. + + My turn has come; behold! Majnn is no more;[26] + Five days shall fly, and each one's turn shall be o'er. + + Love's ample realm, sweet joy, and all that is glad, + Save for his bounty I should never have had.[27] + + I and my heart--though both should sacrificed be, + Grant my friend's weal, their loss were nothing to me. + + Ne'er shall his form within my pupil be dim, + For my eye's cell is but a chamber for him. + + All the fresh blooms that on the greensward we view, + Gain but from him their scent and beauty of hue. + + Hfiz seems poor; + But look within, for his breast, + Shrining his love, + With richest treasure is blest. + + + +XXIII + + Prone at my friend's high gates, my Will its head lays still: + Whate'er my head awaits is ordered by that will. + + My friend resembles none; in vain I sought to trace, + In glance of moon or sun, the radiance of that face. + + Can morning's breeze make known what grief this heart doth hold, + Which as a bud hath grown, compressed by fold on fold? + + Not I first drained the jar where rev'lers pass away:[28] + Heads in this work-yard are nought else than wine-jars' clay. + + Meseems thy comb has wreathed those locks which amber yield: + The gale has civet breathed, and amber scents the field. + + Flowers of verdant nooks be strewn before thy face: + Let cypresses of brooks bear witness to thy grace! + + When dumb grow tongues of men that on such love would dwell, + Why should a tongue-cleft pen by babbling strive to tell? + + Thy cheek is in my heart; no more will bliss delay; + Glad omens e'er impart news of a gladder day. + + Love's fire has dropped its spark + In Hfiz' heart before: + The wild-grown tulip's mark + Branded of old its core.[29] + + + +XXV + + Breeze of the morn, if hence to the land thou fliest--Of my friend, + Return with a musky breath from the lock so sweet + Of my friend. + + Yea, by that life, I swear I would lay down mine in content, + If once I received through thee but a message sent + Of my friend. + + But--at that sacred court, if approach be wholly denied, + Convey, for my eyes, the dust that the door supplied + Of my friend. + + I--but a beggar mean--can I hope for Union at last? + Ah! would that in sleep I saw but the shadow cast + Of my friend. + + Ever my pine-cone heart, as the aspen trembling and shy, + Has yearned for the pine-like shape and the stature high + Of my friend. + + Not at the lowest price would my friend to purchase me care; + Yet I, a whole world to win, would not sell one hair + Of my friend. + + How should this heart gain aught, + Were its gyves of grief flung aside? + I, Hfiz, a bondsman, still + Would the slave abide + Of my friend. + + + +XXIX + + Who of a Heaven on earth can tell, pure as the cell--Of dervishes? + If in the highest state you'd dwell, be ever slaves + Of dervishes. + + The talisman of magic Might hid in some ruin's lonely site, + Emerges from its ancient night at the wild glance + Of dervishes. + + When the proud sun has run his race, and he puts off his crown apace, + He bows before the pomp and place which are the boast + Of dervishes. + + The palace portal of the sky, watched by Rizvn's unsleeping eye, + All gazers can at once descry from the glad haunts + Of dervishes. + + When mortal hearts are black and cold, that which transmutes them into + gold + Is the alchemic stone we hold from intercourse + Of dervishes. + + When tyranny, from pole to pole, sways o'er the earth with dire control, + We see from first to last unroll the victor-flag + Of dervishes. + + There is a wealth which lasts elate, unfearful of decline from fate; + Hear it with joy--this wealth so great, is in the hands + Of dervishes. + + Khosrus, the kiblahs of our prayer have weight to solace our + despair,[30] + But they are potent by their care for the high rank + Of dervishes. + + O, vaunter of thy riches' pride! lay all thy vanity aside, + And know that health and wealth abide but by the will + Of dervishes. + + Korah lost all his treasured store, which, cursed of Heaven, sinks + daily more, + (Hast thou not heard this tale of yore?) from disregard + Of dervishes,[31] + + The smiling face of joy unknown, yet sought by tenants of a throne, + Is only in the mirror shown of the clear face + Of dervishes. + + Let but our saf's eye request, I am the slave of his behest, + For though his looks his rank attest, he has the mind + Of dervishes. + + Hfiz, if of the tide thou think, which makes immortal those who drink, + Seek in the dust that fountain's brink, at the cell door + Of dervishes. + + Hfiz, while here on earth, be wise: + He who to empire's rule would rise, + Knows that his upward pathway lies + Through his regard + Of dervishes. + + + +XXXI + + In blossom is the crimson rose, and the rapt bulbul trills his song; + A summons that to revel calls you, O Sfis, wine-adoring throng! + + The fabric of my contrite fervor appeared upon a rock to bide; + Yet see how by a crystal goblet it hath been shattered in its pride. + + Bring wine; for to a lofty spirit, should they at its tribunal be, + What were the sentry, what the Sultan, the toper, or the foe of glee? + + Forth from this hostel of two portals as finally thou needs must go, + What of the porch and arch of Being be of high span or meanly low? + + To bliss' goal we gain not access, if sorrow has been tasted not; + Yea, with Alastu's pact was coupled the sentence of our baleful lot. + + At Being and Non-being fret not; but either with calm temper see: + Non-being is the term appointed for the most lovely things that be. + + saf's display, the airy courser, the language which the birds employed, + The wind has swept; and their possessor no profit from his wealth + enjoyed.[32] + + Oh! fly not from thy pathway upward, for the winged shaft that quits + the bow + A moment to the air has taken, to settle in the dust below. + + What words of gratitude, O Hfiz + Shall thy reed's tongue express anon, + As its choice gems of composition + From hands to other hands pass on? + + + +XXXV + + Now on the rose's palm the cup with limpid wine is brimming, + And with a hundred thousand tongues the bird her praise is hymning. + + Ask for a song-book, seek the wild, no time is this for knowledge; + The Comment of the Comments spurn, and learning of the college,[33] + + Be it thy rule to shun mankind, and let the Phoenix monish, + For the reports of hermit fame, from Kf to Kf astonish.[34] + + When yesterday our rector reeled, this sentence he propounded: + "Wine is a scandal; but far worse what men's bequests have founded." + + Turbid or clear, though not thy choice, drink thankfully; well knowing + That all which from our Sk flows to his free grace is owing. + + Each dullard who would share my fame, each rival self-deceiver, + Reminds me that at times the mat seems golden to its weaver. + + Cease, Hfiz! store as ruddy gold + The wit that's in thy ditty: + The stampers of false coin, behold! + Are bankers for the city.[35] + + + +XLII + + 'Tis a deep charm which wakes the lover's flame, + Not ruby lip, nor verdant down its name. + + Beauty is not the eye, lock, cheek, and mole; + A thousand subtle points the heart control. + + + +XLIII + + Zealot, censure not the toper, guileless though thou keep thy soul: + Certain 'tis that sins of others none shall write upon thy scroll. + + Be my deeds or good or evil, look thou to thyself alone; + All men, when their work is ended, reap the harvest they have sown. + + Never of Eternal Mercy preach that I must yet despair; + Canst thou pierce the veil, and tell me who is ugly, who is fair? + + Every one the Friend solicits, be he sober, quaff he wine; + Every place has love its tenant, be it or the mosque, or shrine. + + From the still retreat of virtue not the first am I to roam, + For my father also quitted his eternal Eden home. + + See this head, devout submission: bricks at many a vintner's door: + If my foe these words misconstrue--"Bricks and head!"--Say nothing more. + + Fair though Paradise's garden, deign to my advice to yield: + Here enjoy the shading willow, and the border of the field. + + Lean not on thy store of merits; know'st thou 'gainst thy name for aye + What the Plastic Pen indited, on the Unbeginning Day? + + Hfiz, if thou grasp thy beaker + When the hour of death is nigh, + From the street where stands the tavern + Straight they'll bear thee to the sky. + + + +XLV + + O breeze of morn! where is the place which guards my friend from strife? + Where is the abode of that sly Moon who lovers robs of life? + + The night is dark, the Happy Vale in front of me I trace.[36] + Where is the fire of Sini, where is the meeting place? + + Here jointly are the wine-filled cup, the rose, the minstrel; yet + While we lack love, no bliss is here: where can my Loved be met? + + Of the Shaikh's cell my heart has tired, and of the convent bare: + Where is my friend, the Christian's child, the vintner's mansion, where? + + Hfiz, if o'er the glade of earth + The autumn-blast is borne, + Grieve not, but musing ask thyself: + "Where has the rose no thorn?" + + + +LIX + + My Prince, so gracefully thou steppest, that where thy footsteps + fall--I'd die. + My Turk, so gracefully thou glidest, before thy stature tall + I'd die. + + "When wilt thou die before me?"--saidst thou. Why thus so eagerly + inquire? + These words of thy desire delight me; forestalling thy desire + I'd die. + + I am a lover, drunk, forsaken: Sk, that idol, where is he? + Come hither with thy stately bearing! let me thy fair form see, + I'd die. + + Should he, apart from whom I've suffered a life-long illness, day by + day, + Bestow on me a glance, one only, beneath that orb dark-gray + I'd die. + + "The ruby of my lips," thou saidst, "now bale, now balsam may exhale": + At one time from their healing balsam, at one time from their bale + I'd die. + + How trim thy gait! May eye of evil upon thy face be never bent! + There dwells within my head this fancy; that at thy feet content + I'd die. + + Though no place has been found for Hfiz + In Love's retreat, where hid thou art, + For me thine every part has beauty, + Before thine every part-- + I'd die. + + + +LXIII + + My heart has of the world grown weary and all that it can lend: + The shrine of my affection holds no Being but my friend. + + If e'er for me thy love's sweet garden a fragrant breath exhale, + My heart, expansive in its joy, shall bud-like burst its veil. + + Should I upon love's path advise thee, when now a fool I've grown, + 'Twould be the story of the fool, the pitcher, and the stone. + + Go! say to the secluded zealot: "Withhold thy blame; for know, + I find the arch of the Mihrb[37] but in an eyebrow's bow." + + Between the Ka'bah and the wine-house, no difference I see: + Whate'er the spot my glance surveys, there equally is He. + + 'Tis not for beard, hair, eyebrow only, Kalandarism should care: + The Kalandar computes the Path by adding hair to hair.[38] + + The Kalandar who gives a hair's head, + An easy path doth tread: + The Kalandar of genuine stamp, + As Hfiz gives his head. + + + +LXIX + + My heart desires the face so fair--Of Farrukh;[39] + It is perturbed as is the hair + Of Farrukh. + + No creature but that lock, that Hind swart, + Enjoyment from the cheek has sought + Of Farrukh. + + A blackamoor by Fortune blest is he, + Placed at the side, and near the knee + Of Farrukh. + + Shy as the aspen is the cypress seen, + Awed by the captivating mien + Of Farrukh. + + Sk, bring syrtis-tinted wine to tell + Of those narcissi, potent spell + Of Farrukh. + + Bent as the archer's bow my frame is now, + From woes continuous as the brow + Of Farrukh. + + E'en Tartar gales which musky odors whirl, + Faint at the amber-breathing curl + Of Farrukh. + + If leans the human heart to any place, + Mine has a yearning to the grace + Of Farrukh. + + That lofty soul + Shall have my service true, + That serves, as Hfiz, + The Hind--[40] + Of Farrukh. + + + +LXXI + + When now the rose upon the meadow from Nothing into Being springs, + When at her feet the humble violet with her head low in worship clings, + + Take from thy morn-filled cup refreshment while tabors and the harp + inspire, + Nor fail to kiss the chin of Sk while the flute warbles and the lyre. + + Sit thou with wine, with harp, with charmer, until the rose's bloom be + past; + For as the days of life which passes, is the brief week that she shall + last. + + The face of earth, from herbal mansions, is lustrous as the sky; and + shines + With asterisms of happy promise, with stars that are propitious signs. + + In gardens let Zoroaster's worship again with all its rites revive, + While now within the tulip's blossoms the fires of Nimrod[41] are alive. + + Drink wine, presented by some beauty of Christ-like breath, of cheek + fair-hued; + And banish from thy mind traditions to d relating, and Thamd.[42] + + Earth rivals the Immortal Garden during the rose and lily's reign; + But what avails when the immortal is sought for on this earth in vain? + + When riding on the windy courser, as Solomon, the rose is found, + And when the Bird, at hour of morning, makes David's melodies resound, + + Ask thou, in Solomon's dominion, a goblet to the brim renewed; + Pledge the Vizir, the cycle's saf, the column of the Faith, Mahmud. + + O Hfiz, while his days continue, let joy eternal be thine aim; + And may the shadow of his kindness eternally abide the same! + + Bring wine; for Hfiz, if in trouble, + Will ceaselessly the help implore + Of him who bounty shall aid ever, + As it have aid vouchsafed before. + + + +LXXVII + + Upon the path of Love, O heart, deceit and risk are great! + And fall upon the way shall he who at swift rate + Shall go. + + Inflated by the wind of pride, the bubble's head may shine; + But soon its cap of rule shall fall, and merged in wine + Shall go. + + O heart, when thou hast aged grown, show airs of grace no more: + Remember that such ways as these when youth is o'er + Shall go. + + Has the black book of black locks closed, the album yet shall stay, + Though many a score the extracts be which day by day + Shall go. + + + +LXXXV + + To me love's echo is the sweetest sound + Of all that 'neath this circling Round + Hath stayed. + + + +LXXXVI + + A beggar am I; yet enamoured of one of cypress mould: + One in whose belt the hand bides only with silver and with gold. + + Bring wine! let first the hand of Hfiz + The cheery cup embrace! + Yet only on one condition-- + No word beyond this place! + + + +LXXXVII + + When beamed Thy beauty on creation's morn, + The world was set on fire by love new-born. + + Thy cheek shone bright, yet angels' hearts were cold: + Then flashed it fire, and turned to Adam's mould. + + The lamp of Reason from this flame had burned, + But lightning jealousy the world o'erturned. + + The enemy Thy secret sought to gain; + A hand unseen repelled the beast profane. + + The die of Fate may render others glad: + My own heart saddens, for its lot is sad. + + Thy chin's deep pit allures the lofty mind: + The hand would grasp thy locks in twines entwined, + + Hfiz his love-scroll + To Thyself addressed, + When he had cancelled + What his heart loved best. + + + +LXXXVIII + + The preacher of the town will find my language hard, maybe: + While bent upon deceit and fraud, no Mussulman is he. + + Learn drinking and do gracious deeds; the merit is not great + If a mere brute shall taste not wine, and reach not man's estate. + + Efficient is the Name Divine; be of good cheer, O heart! + The dv becomes not Solomon by guile and cunning's art. + + The benisons of Heaven are won by purity alone: + Else would not pearl and coral spring from every clod and stone? + + + +CI + + Angels I saw at night knock at the wine-house gate: + They shaped the clay of Adam, flung into moulds its weight. + + Spirits of the Unseen World of Purities divine, + With me an earth-bound mortal, poured forth their 'wildering wine. + + Heaven, from its heavy trust aspiring to be free, + The duty was allotted, mad as I am, to me. + + Thank God my friend and I once more sweet peace have gained! + For this the houris dancing thanksgiving cups have drained. + + With Fancy's hundred wisps what wonder that I've strayed, + When Adam in his prudence was by a grain bewrayed?[43] + + Excuse the wrangling sects, which number seventy-two: + They knock at Fable's portal, for Truth eludes their view. + + No fire is that whose flame the taper laughs to scorn: + True fire consumes to ashes the moth's upgarnered corn. + + Blood fills recluses' hearts where Love its dot doth place, + Fine as the mole that glistens upon a charmer's face. + + As Hfiz, none Thought's face + Hath yet unveiled; not e'en + Since for the brides of Language + Combed have their tresses been. + + + +CXV + + Lost Joseph shall return to Kanaan's land--Despair not: + Affliction's cell of gloom with flowers shall bloom: + Despair not + + Sad heart, thy state shall mend; repel despondency; + Thy head confused with pain shall sense regain: + Despair not. + + When life's fresh spring returns upon the das mead, + O night-bird! o'er thy head the rose shall spread: + Despair not, + + Hope on, though things unseen may baffle thy research; + Mysterious sports we hail beyond the veil: + Despair not. + + Has the revolving Sphere two days opposed thy wish, + Know that the circling Round is changeful found: + Despair not. + + If on the Ka'bah bent, thou brave the desert sand, + Though from the acacias thorn thy foot be torn, + Despair not, + + Heart, should the flood of death life's fabric sweep away, + Noah shall steer the ark o'er billows dark: + Despair not, + + Though perilous the stage, though out of sight the goal, + Whither soe'er we wend, there is an end: + Despair not, + + If Love evades our grasp, and rivals press our suit, + God, Lord of every change, surveys the range: + Despair not. + + Hfiz, in thy poor nook-- + Alone, the dark night through-- + Prayer and the Koran's page + Shall grief assuage-- + Despair not. + + + +CXXIX + + Endurance, intellect, and peace have from my bosom flown, + Lured by an idol's silver ear-lobes, and its heart of stone. + + An image brisk, of piercing looks, with peris' beauty blest, + Of slender shape, of lunar face, in Turk-like tunic drest! + + With a fierce glow within me lit--in amorous frenzy lost-- + A culinary pot am I, in ebullition tost. + + My nature as a shirt's would be, at all times free from smart, + If like yon tunic garb I pressed the wearer to my heart. + + At harshness I have ceased to grieve, for none to light can bring + A rose that is apart from thorns, or honey void of sting. + + The framework of this mortal form may rot within the mould, + But in my soul a love exists which never shall grow cold. + + My heart and faith, my heart and faith--of old they were unharmed, + Till by yon shoulders and yon breast, yon breast and shoulders charmed. + + Hfiz, a medicine for thy woe, + A medicine must thou sip, + No other than that lip so sweet, + That lip so sweet, that lip. + + + +CXXXIV + + Although upon his moon-like cheek delight and beauty glow, + Nor constancy nor love is there: O Lord! these gifts bestow. + + A child makes war against my heart; and he in sport one day + Will put me to a cruel death, and law shall not gainsay. + + What seems for my own good is this: my heart from him to guard; + For one who knows not good from ill its guardianship were hard. + + Agile and sweet of fourteen years that idol whom I praise: + His ear-rings in her soul retains the moon of fourteen days. + + A breath as the sweet smell of milk comes from those sugary lips; + But from those black and roguish eyes behold what blood there drips! + + My heart to find that new-born rose has gone upon its way; + But where can it be found, O Lord? I've lost it many a day. + + If the young friend who owns my heart my centre thus can break, + The Pasha will command him soon the lifeguard's rank to take. + + I'd sacrifice my life in thanks, + If once that pearl of sheen + Would make the shell of Hfiz' eye + Its place of rest serene. + + + +CXXXV + + I tried my fortune in this city lorn: + From out its whirlpool must my pack be borne. + + I gnaw my hand, and, heaving sighs of ire, + I light in my rent frame the rose's fire. + + Sweet sang the bulbul at the close of day, + The rose attentive on her leafy spray: + + "O heart! be joyful, for thy ruthless Love + Sits down ill-temper'd at the sphere above. + + "To make the false, harsh world thyself pass o'er, + Ne'er promise falsely and be harsh no more. + + "If beat misfortune's waves upon heaven's roof, + Devout men's fate and gear bide ocean-proof. + + "Hfiz, if lasting + Were enjoyment's day, + Jem's throne would never + Have been swept away." + + + +CXLV + + Breeze of the North, thy news allays my fears: + The hour of meeting with my Loved one nears. + + Prospered by Heaven, O carrier pigeon, fly: + Hail to thee, hail to thee, come nigh, come nigh! + + How fares our Salm? What Z Salam's state? + Our neighbors there--are they unscathed by Fate? + + The once gay banquet-hall is now devoid + Of circling goblets, and of friends who joyed. + + Perished the mansion with its lot serene: + Interrogate the mounds where once 'twas seen. + + The night of absence has now cast its shade: + What freaks by Fancy's night-gang will be played? + + He who has loved relates an endless tale: + Here the most eloquent of tongues must fail. + + My Turk's kind glances no one can obtain: + Alas, this pride, this coldness, this disdain! + + In perfect beauty did thy wish draw nigh: + God guard thee from Kaml's malefic eye![44] + + Hfiz, long will last + Patience, love, and pain? + Lovers wail is sweet: + Do thou still complain. + + + +CXLVI + + O thou who hast ravished my heart by thine exquisite grace and thy + shape, + Thou carest for no one, and yet not a soul from thyself can escape. + + At times I draw sighs from my heart, and at times, O my life, thy + sharp dart: + Can aught I may say represent all the ills I endure from my heart? + + How durst I to rivals commend thy sweet lips by the ruby's tent gemmed, + When words that are vivid in hue by a soul unrefined are contemned? + + As strength to thy beauty accrues ev'ry day from the day sped before, + To features consummate as thine, will we liken the night-star no more. + + My heart hast thou reft: take my soul! For thine envoy of grief what + pretence? + One perfect in grief as myself with collector as he may dispense. + + O Hfiz, in Love's holy bane, + As thy foot has at last made its way, + Lay hold of his skirt with thy hand, + And with all sever ties from to-day. + + + +CXLIX + + Both worlds, the Transient and Eterne, for Sk and the Loved I'd yield: + To me appears Love's satellite the universe's ample field. + + Should a new favorite win my place, my ruler shall be still supreme: + It were a sin should I my life more precious than my friend esteem. + + + +CLV + + Last night my tears, a torrent stream, stopped Sleep by force: + I painted, musing on thy down, upon the water-course. + + Then, viewing my Beloved one's brow--my cowl burnt up-- + In honor of the sacred Arch I drained my flowing cup. + + From my dear friend's resplendent brow pure light was shed; + And on that moon there fell from far the kisses that I sped. + + The face of Sk charmed my eye, the harp my ear: + At once for both mine ear and eye what omens glad were here! + + I painted thine ideal face till morning's light, + Upon the studio of my eye, deprived of sleep at night. + + My Sk took at this sweet strain the wine-bowl up: + I sang to him these verses first; then drank to sparkling cup. + + If any of my bird-like thoughts from joy's branch flew, + Back from the springes of thy lock their fleeting wings I drew. + + The time of Hfiz passed in joy: + To friends I brought + For fortune and the days of life + The omens that they sought. + + + +CLVII + + Come, Sfi, let us from our limbs the dress that's worn for cheat Draw: + Let us a blotting line right through this emblem of deceit + Draw. + + The convent's revenues and alms we'd sacrifice for wine awhile, + And through the vintry's fragrant flood this dervish-robe of guile + Draw. + + Intoxicated, forth we'll dash, and from our feasting foe's rich stores + Bear off his wine, and then by force his charmer out of doors + Draw. + + Fate may conceal her mystery, shut up within her hiding pale, + But we who act as drunken men will from its face the veil + Draw. + + Here let us shine by noble deeds, lest we at last ashamed appear, + When starting for the other world, we hence our spirit's gear + Draw. + + To-morrow at Rizvn's green glade, should they refuse to make it ours, + We from their halls will the ghilmn, the houris from their bowers + Draw. + + Where can we see her winking brow, that we, as the new moon of old, + At once may the celestial ball, as with a bat of gold, + Draw? + + O Hfiz! it becomes us not + Our boastful claims thus forth to put: + Beyond the limits of our rug + Why would we fain our foot + Draw? + + + +CLIX + + Aloud I say it, and with heart of glee: + "Love's slave am I, and from both worlds am free." + + Can I, the bird of sacred gardens, tell + Into this net of chance how first I fell? + + My place the Highest Heaven, an angel born, + I came by Adam to this cloister lorn. + + Sweet houris, Tb's shade, and Fountain's brink + Fade from my mind when of thy street I think. + + Knows no astrologer my star of birth: + Lord, 'neath what plant bore me Mother Earth? + + Since with ringed ear I've served Love's house of wine, + Grief's gratulations have each hour been mine. + + My eyeball's man drains my heart's blood; 'tis just: + In man's own darling did I place my trust. + + My Loved one's Alif-form[45] stamps all my thought: + Save that, what letter has my master taught? + + Let Hfiz' tear-drops + By thy lock be dried, + For fear I perish + In their rushing tide. + + + +CLXVI + + Knowest thou what fortune is? + 'Tis Beauty's sight obtaining; + 'Tis asking in her lane for alms, + And royal pomp disdaining. + + Sev'erance from the wish for life an easy task is ever; + But lose we friends who sweeten life, the tie is hard to sever. + + Bud-like with a serried heart I'll to the orchard wander; + The garment of my good repute I'll tear to pieces yonder; + + Now, as doth the West-wind, tell deep secrets to the Flower, + Hear now of Love's mysterious sport from bulbuls of the bower. + + Kiss thy Beloved one's lips at first while the occasion lingers: + Await thou else disgust at last from biting lip and fingers. + + Profit by companionship: this two-doored house forsaken, + No pathway that can thither lead in future time is taken. + + Hfiz from the thought, it seems, + Of Shh Mansur has fleeted; + O Lord! remind him that the poor + With favor should be treated. + + + +CLXXIII + + With my heart's blood I wrote to one most dear: + "The earth seems doom-struck if thou are not near. + + "My eyes a hundred signs of absence show: + These tears are not their only signs of woe." + + I gained no boon from her for labor spent: + "Who tries the tried will in the end repent." + + I asked how fared she; the physician spake: + "Afar from her is health; but near her ache." + + The East-wind from my Moon removed her veil: + At morn shone forth the Sun from vapors pale. + + I said: "They'll mock, if I go round thy lane." + By God! no love escapes the mocker's bane. + + Grant Hfiz' prayer: + "One cup, by life so sweet!" + He seeks a goblet + With thy grace replete! + + + +CLXXX + + O thou who art unlearned still, the quest of love essay: + Canst thou who hast not trod the path guide others on the way? + + While in the school of Truth thou stay'st, from Master Love to learn, + Endeavor, though a son to-day, the father's grade to earn. + + Slumber and food have held thee far from Love's exalted good: + Wouldst thou attain the goal of love, abstain from sleep and food. + + If with the rays of love of truth thy heart and soul be clear, + By God! thy beauty shall outshine the sun which lights the sphere. + + Wash from the dross of life thy hands, as the Path's men of old, + And winning Love's alchemic power, transmute thyself to gold. + + On all thy frame, from head to foot, the light of God shall shine, + If on the Lord of Glory's path nor head nor foot be thine. + + An instant plunge into God's sea, nor e'er the truth forget + That the Seven Seas' o'erwhelming tide, no hair of thine shall wet. + + If once thy glancing eye repose on the Creator's face. + Thenceforth among the men who glance shall doubtless be thy place.[46] + + When that which thy existence frames all upside-down shall be, + Imagine not that up and down shall be the lot of thee. + + Hfiz, if ever in thy head + Dwell Union's wish serene, + Thou must become the threshold's dust + Of men whose sight is keen. + + + +[FOOTNOTES to THE DIVAN] + +[Footnote 1: "The traveller of the Pathway"--the Magian, or Shaikh. In +former times wine was chiefly sold by Magians, and as the keepers of +taverns and caravansaries grew popular, the term Magian was used to +designate not only "mine host," but also a wise old man, or spiritual +teacher.] + +[Footnote 2: An allusion to the dimple and moisture of the chin, +considered great beauties by Orientals.] + +[Footnote 3: Jem or Jemshd, an ancient King of Persia. By Jem and his +Sk are to be understood, in this couplet, the King of Yazd and his +courtiers.] + +[Footnote 4: By the azure cowl is implied the cloak of deceit and false +humility. Hfiz uses this expression to cast ridicule upon Shaikh +Hazan's order of dervishes, who were inimical to the brotherhood of +which the poet was a member. The dervishes mentioned wore blue to +express their celestial aspirations.] + +[Footnote 5: The disciples of Shaikh Hasan. Hfiz had incurred their +displeasure by the levity of his conduct.] + +[Footnote 6: In the "Gulistan" of Sa'di a philosopher declares that, of +all the trees, the cypress is alone to be called free, because, unlike +the others, it is not subject to the vicissitudes of appointed place and +season, "but is at all times fresh and green, and this is the condition +of the free."] + +[Footnote 7: In some MSS. we read: "The mirror of Sikander is the goblet +of Jem." King Jem, or Jemshd, had a talismanic cup: Sikander, or +Alexander, had inherited from pre-Adamite times a magic mirror by means +of which he was enabled to see into the camp of his enemy Dr (Darius). +Hfiz here informs us that the knowledge imputed to either king was +obtained by wine.] + +[Footnote 8: Referring to wine, which in the Koran is declared to be the +Mother of Vices.] + +[Footnote 9: Korah, Kore, or Krun, the Dives of his age, was an +alchemist. He lived in an excess of luxury and show. At the height of +his pride and gluttony he rebelled against Moses, refusing to pay a +tithe of his possessions for the public use. The earth then opened and +swallowed him up together with the palace in which he dwelt. (See Koran, +chap, xxviii, and, for the Bible narrative, The Book of Numbers, chap, +xvi.)] + +[Footnote 10: It was decreed from all eternity that Hfiz should drink +wine. He had therefore no free agency and could not be justly blamed.] + +[Footnote 11: The boy serving at the wine-house.] + +[Footnote 12: The curl of hair over a moon-like face is here compared to +a curved mall-bat sweeping over a ball.] + +[Footnote 13: By "earth" is to be understood Noah himself.] + +[Footnote 14: Fate, Fortune, and the Sky, are in Oriental poetry +intervertible expressions; and the dome of Heaven is compared to a cup +which is full of poison for the unfortunate.] + +[Footnote 15: The rebeck is a sort of violin having only three chords.] + +[Footnote 16: His locks being black as night and his cheek cheerful as +the Sun of Da or December.] + +[Footnote 17: Kai-ks, one of the most celebrated monarchs of Persia.] + +[Footnote 18: The pictured halls of China, or, in particular, the palace +of Arzhang, the dwelling of Manes. Manes lived in the third century of +our era, and his palace was famed as the Chinese picture-gallery. Hfiz +compares the bloom upon the cheek of his friend to the works of art +executed by Manes, in which dark shadows, like velvety down upon the +human face, excite no surprise.] + +[Footnote 19: The Nasrn is the dog-rose.] + +[Footnote 20: In Mohammedan countries it is customary to write upon the +doors: "O Opener of the gates! open unto us the gates of blessing."] + +[Footnote 21: Rizvn is the gardener and gatekeeper of Paradise.] + +[Footnote 22: The lote-tree, known to Arabs as the Tb, is a prickly +shrub. The Koran says: "To those who believe, and perform good works, +appertain welfare and a fair retreat. The men of the right hand--how +happy shall be the men of the right hand!--shall dwell among the +lote-trees without thorns. Under their feet rivers shall flow in the +garden of Delight."] + +[Footnote 23: According to Oriental belief, the ruby and all other gems, +derive their brilliancy from the action of the sun. By a similar process +of Nature, ruby lips obtain their vivid color from the sun above them.] + +[Footnote 24: The zodiacal light or faint illumination of the sky which +disappears before the light of daybreak.] + +[Footnote 25: saf, Solomon's "Vizir," was entrusted with the +guardianship of the imperial signet ring, which was possessed of magical +properties. While in his care it was stolen. When Solomon granted an +audience to animals, and even insects, the ant, it is related, brought +as an offering a blade of grass and rebuked saf for having guarded the +royal treasure so carelessly. By saf, Hfiz symbolizes in the present +instance his friend or favorite; by the ant is implied a small hair on +the face, and by the lost signet of Jem, a beautiful mouth, so small and +delicate as to be invisible.] + +[Footnote 26: Majnn, a celebrated lover, maddened by the charms of +Lail.] + +[Footnote 27: This ode may have been written in gratitude for the +patronage of a man of rank.] + +[Footnote 28: Literally in this toper-consuming shrine (of the world). +The second line of the couplet probably means: Other revellers have +preceded me, but their heads are now potter's clay in the potter's field +of the earth.] + +[Footnote 29: The wild tulip of Shiraz has white petals streaked with +pink, the inner end of each bearing a deep puce mark. The dark spot +formed thus in the centre of the flower is compared to the brand of +love, pre-ordained on the Past Day of Eternity to be imprinted on the +heart of Hfiz.] + +[Footnote 30: Khosru (Cyrus) is the title of several ancient kings of +Persia, and is here used in the plural to denote monarchs in general. +The term "kiblah," fronting-point, signifies the object towards which +the worshipper turns when he prays.] + +[Footnote 31: Korah or Krun--the miser who disobeyed Moses and was +swallowed up with his treasures by the earth. They are said to be still +sinking deeper and deeper. (See Numbers, xvi.)] + +[Footnote 32: How vain were the glories of Solomon! saf was his +minister, the East wind his courser, and the language of birds one of +his accomplishments; but the blast of time had swept them away.] + +[Footnote 33: The "Comment of the Comments" is a celebrated explanatory +treatise on the Koran.] + +[Footnote 34: Kf is a fabulous mountain encircling the world. In this +couplet and the following the poet ridicules the ascetics of his time.] + +[Footnote 35: The false coiners are inferior poets who endeavor to pass +off their own productions as the work of Hfiz.] + +[Footnote 36: Aiman (Happiness) is the valley in which God appeared to +Moses--metaphorically, the abode of the Beloved.] + +[Footnote 37: "Mihrb"--the niche in a mosque, towards which Mohammedans +pray.] + +[Footnote 38: Kalandars are an order of Mohammedan dervishes who wander +about and beg. The worthless sectaries of Kalandarism, Hfiz says, shave +off beard and tonsure, but the true or spiritual Kalandar shapes his +path by a scrupulous estimate of duty.] + +[Footnote 39: "Farrukh" (auspicious) is doubtless the name of some +favorite of the Poet.] + +[Footnote 40: "Hind" is here equivalent to "slave."] + +[Footnote 41: Zerdusht (in Latin, Zoroaster)--the celebrated prophet of +the Gulbres, or fire-worshippers. Nimrod is said to have practised a +religion, similar to theirs.] + +[Footnote 42: d and Thamd were Arab tribes exterminated by God in +consequence of their having disobeyed the prophet Slih.] + +[Footnote 43: By a "grain" is meant a grain of wheat; according to +Mohammedans, the forbidden fruit of Paradise.] + +[Footnote 44: Kaml was an Arab whose glance inflicted death.] + +[Footnote 45: "Alif-form," meaning a straight and erect form: the +letter Alif being, as it were, of upright stature.] + +[Footnote 46: "The men who glance" are lovers. The spiritual or true +lover is he who loves God.] + + +END OF VOLUME ONE + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSIAN LITERATURE, VOLUME +1,COMPRISING THE SHAH NAMEH, THE RUBAIYAT, THE DIVAN, AND THE GULISTAN
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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** diff --git a/old/10315-8.zip b/old/10315-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a32a396 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10315-8.zip diff --git a/old/10315.txt b/old/10315.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbfbc8d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10315.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17467 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Persian Literature, Volume 1,Comprising The +Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan
, by Anonymous, et al + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Persian Literature, Volume 1,Comprising The Shah Nameh, The +Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan
+ +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: November 26, 2003 [eBook #10315] + +Language: English + +Chatacter set encoding: US-ASCII + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSIAN LITERATURE, VOLUME +1,COMPRISING THE SHAH NAMEH, THE RUBAIYAT, THE DIVAN, AND THE GULISTAN
*** + + +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Karen Lofstrom, Tom Allen, and the +Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +PERSIAN LITERATURE + +comprising + +THE SHAH NAMEH, THE RUBAIYAT +THE DIVAN, AND THE GULISTAN + +Revised Edition, Volume 1 + +1909 + +With a special introduction by +RICHARD J. H. GOTTHEIL, Ph.D. + + + + + + + +SPECIAL INTRODUCTION + +A certain amount of romantic interest has always attached to Persia. +With a continuous history stretching back into those dawn-days of +history in which fancy loves to play, the mention of its name brings to +our minds the vision of things beautiful and artistic, the memory of +great deeds and days of chivalry. We seem almost to smell the fragrance +of the rose-gardens of Tus and of Shiraz, and to hear the knight-errants +tell of war and of love. There are other Oriental civilizations, whose +coming and going have not been in vain for the world; they have done +their little bit of apportioned work in the universe, and have done it +well. India and Arabia have had their great poets and their great +heroes, yet they have remained well-nigh unknown to the men and women of +our latter day, even to those whose world is that of letters. But the +names of Firdusi, Sa'di, Omar Khayyam, Jami, and Hafiz, have a place in +our own temples of fame. They have won their way into the book-stalls +and stand upon our shelves, side by side with the other books which +mould our life and shape our character. + +Some reason there must be for the special favor which we show to these +products of Persian genius, and for the hold which they have upon us. We +need not go far to find it. The under-current forces, which determine +our own civilization of to-day, are in a general way the same forces +which were at play during the heyday of Persian literary production. We +owe to the Hellenic spirit, which at various times has found its way +into our midst, our love for the beautiful in art and in literature. We +owe to the Semitic, which has been inbreathed into us by religious forms +and beliefs, the tone of our better life, the moral level to which we +aspire. The same two forces were at work in Persia. Even while that +country was purely Iranian, it was always open to Semitic influences. +The welding together of the two civilizations is the true signature of +Persian history. The likeness which is so evident between the religion +of the Avesta, the sacred book of the pre-Mohammedan Persians, and the +religion of the Old and New Testaments, makes it in a sense easy for us +to understand these followers of Zoroaster. Persian poetry, with its +love of life and this-worldliness, with its wealth of imagery and its +appeal to that which is human in all men, is much more readily +comprehended by us than is the poetry of all the rest of the Orient. +And, therefore, Goethe, Platen, Rueckert, von Schack, Fitzgerald, and +Arnold have been able to re-sing their masterpieces so as to delight and +instruct our own days--of which thing neither India nor Arabia can +boast. + +Tales of chivalry have always delighted the Persian ear. A certain +inherent gayety of heart, a philosophy which was not so sternly vigorous +as was that of the Semite, lent color to his imagination. It guided the +hands of the skilful workmen in the palaces of Susa and Persepolis, and +fixed the brightly colored tiles upon their walls. It led the deftly +working fingers of their scribes and painters to illuminate their +manuscripts so gorgeously as to strike us with wonder at the assemblage +of hues and the boldness of designs. Their Zoroaster was never deified. +They could think of his own doings and of the deeds of the mighty men of +valor who lived before and after him with very little to hinder the free +play of their fancy. And so this fancy roamed up and down the whole +course of Persian history: taking a long look into the vista of the +past, trying even to lift the veil which hides from mortal sight the +beginnings of all things; intertwining fact with fiction, building its +mansions on earth, and its castles in the air. + +The greatest of all Eastern national epics is the work of a Persian. The +"Shah Nameh," or Book of Kings, may take its place most worthily by the +side of the Indian Nala, the Homeric Iliad, the German Niebelungen. Its +plan is laid out on a scale worthy of its contents, and its execution is +equally worthy of its planning. One might almost say that with it +neo-Persian literature begins its history. There were poets in Persia +before the writer of the "Shah Nameh"--Rudagi, the blind (died 954), +Zandshi (950), Chusravani (tenth century). There were great poets during +his own day. But Firdusi ranks far above them all; and at the very +beginning sets up so high a standard that all who come after him must +try to live up to it, or else they will sink into oblivion. + +The times in which Firdusi lived were marked by strange revolutions. The +Arabs, filled with the daring which Mohammed had breathed into them, had +indeed conquered Persia. In A.D. 657, when Merv fell, and the last +Sassanian king, Yezdegird III, met his end, these Arabs became nominally +supreme. Persia had been conquered--but not the Persian spirit. Even +though Turkish speech reigned supreme at court and the Arabic script +became universal, the temper of the old Arsacides and Sassanians still +lived on. It is true that Ormuzd was replaced by Allah, and Ahriman by +Satan. But the Persian had a glorious past of his own; and in this the +conquered was far above the conqueror. This past was kept alive in the +myth-loving mind of this Aryan people; in the songs of its poets and in +the lays of its minstrels. In this way there was, in a measure, a +continuous opposition of Persian to Arab, despite the mingling of the +two in Islam; and the opposition of Persian Shiites to the Sunnites of +the rest of the Mohammedan world at this very day is a curious survival +of racial antipathy. The fall of the only real Arab Mohammedan +dynasty--that of the Umayyid caliphs at Damascus--the rise of the +separate and often opposing dynasties in Spain, Sicily, Egypt, and +Tunis, served to strengthen the Persians in their desire to keep alive +their historical individuality and their ancient traditions. + +Firdusi was not the first, as he was not the only one, to collect the +old epic materials of Persia. In the Avesta itself, with its ancient +traditions, much can be found. More than this was handed down and +bandied about from mouth to mouth. Some of it had even found its way +into the Kalam of the Scribe; to-wit, the "Zarer, or Memorials of the +Warriors" (A.D. 500), the "History of King Ardeshir" (A.D. 600), the +Chronicles of the Persian Kings. If we are to trust Baisonghur's preface +to the "Shah Nameh," there were various efforts made from time to time +to put together a complete story of the nation's history, by Farruchani, +Ramin, and especially by the Dihkan Danishwar (A.D. 651). The work of +this Danishwar, the "Chodainameh" (Book of Kings), deserves to be +specially singled out. It was written, not in neo-Persian and Arabic +script, but in what scholars call middle-Persian and in what is known as +the Pahlavi writing. It was from this "Chodainameh" that Abu Mansur, +lord of Tus, had a "Shah Nameh" of his own prepared in the neo-Persian. +And then, to complete the tale, in 980 a certain Zoroastrian whose name +was Dakiki versified a thousand lines of this neo-Persian Book of Kings. + +In this very city of Tus, Abul Kasim Mansur (or Ahmed) Firdusi was born, +A.D. 935. One loves to think that perhaps he got his name from the +Persian-Arabic word for garden; for, verily, it was he that gathered +into one garden all the beautiful flowers which had blossomed in the +fancy of his people. As he has draped the figures in his great epic, so +has an admiring posterity draped his own person. His fortune has been +interwoven with the fame of that Mahmud of Ghazna (998-1030), the first +to bear the proud title of "Sultan," the first to carry Mohammed and the +prophets into India. The Round Table of Mahmud cannot be altogether a +figment of the imagination. With such poets as Farruchi, Unsuri, +Minutsheri, with such scientists as Biruni and Avicenna as intimates, +what wonder that Firdusi was lured by the splendors of a court life! But +before he left his native place he must have finished his epic, at least +in its rough form; for we know that in 999 he dedicated it to Ahmad ibn +Muhammad of Chalandsha. He had been working at it steadily since 971, +but had not yet rounded it out according to the standard which he had +set for himself. Occupying the position almost of a court poet, he +continued to work for Mahmud, and this son of a Turkish slave became a +patron of letters. On February 25, 1010, his work was finished. As poet +laureate, he had inserted many a verse in praise of his master. Yet the +story goes, that though this master had covenanted for a gold dirhem a +line, he sent Firdusi sixty thousand silver ones, which the poet spurned +and distributed as largesses and hied him from so ungenerous a master. + +It is a pretty tale. Yet some great disappointment must have been his +lot, for a lampoon which he wrote a short time afterwards is filled with +the bitterest satire upon the prince whose praises he had sung so +beautifully. Happily, the satire does not seem to have gotten under the +eyes of Mahmud; it was bought off by a friend, for one thousand dirhems +a verse. But Firdusi was a wanderer; we find him in Herat, in +Taberistan, and then at the Buyide Court of Bagdad, where he composed +his "Yusuf and Salikha," a poem as Mohammedan in spirit as the "Shah +Nameh" was Persian. In 1021, or 1025, he returned to Tus to die, and to +be buried in his own garden--because his mind had not been orthodox +enough that his body should rest in sacred ground. At the last +moment--the story takes up again--Mahmud repented and sent the poet the +coveted gold. The gold arrived at one gate while Firdusi's body was +being carried by at another; and it was spent by his daughter in the +building of a hospice near the city. For the sake of Mahmud let us try +to believe the tale. + +We know much about the genesis of this great epic, the "Shah Nameh"; far +more than we know about the make-up of the other great epics in the +world's literature. Firdusi worked from written materials; but he +produced no mere labored mosaic. Into it all he has breathed a spirit of +freshness and vividness: whether it be the romance of Alexander the +Great and the exploits of Rustem, or the love scenes of Zal and Rodhale, +of Bezhan and Manezhe, of Gushtasp and Kitayim. That he was also an +excellent lyric poet, Firdusi shows in the beautiful elegy upon the +death of his only son; a curious intermingling of his personal woes with +the history of his heroes. A cheerful vigor runs through it all. He +praises the delights of wine-drinking, and does not despise the comforts +which money can procure. In his descriptive parts, in his scenes of +battle and encounters, he is not often led into the delirium of +extravagance. Sober-minded and free from all fanaticism, he leans not +too much to Zoroaster or to Mohammed, though his desire to idealize his +Iranian heroes leads him to excuse their faith to his readers. And so +these fifty or more thousand verses, written in the Arabic heroic +Mutakarib metre, have remained the delight of the Persians down to this +very day--when the glories of the land have almost altogether departed +and Mahmud himself is all forgotten of his descendants. + +Firdusi introduces us to the greatness of Mahmud of Ghazna's court. Omar +Khayyam takes us into its ruins; for one of the friends of his boyhood +days was Nizam al-Mulk, the grandson of that Toghrul the Turk, who with +his Seljuks had supplanted the Persian power. Omar's other friend was +Ibn Sabbah, the "old Man of the Mountain," the founder of the Assassins. +The doings of both worked misery upon Christian Europe, and entailed a +tremendous loss of life during the Crusades. As a sweet revenge, that +same Europe has taken the first of the trio to its bosom, and has made +of Omar Khayyam a household friend. "My tomb shall be in a spot where +the north wind may scatter roses" is said to have been one of Omar's +last wishes. He little thought that those very roses from the tomb in +which he was laid to rest in 1123 would, in the nineteenth century, +grace the spot where his greatest modern interpreter--Fitzgerald--lies +buried in the little English town of Woodbridge! + +The author of the famous Quatrains--Omar Ibn Ibrahim al-Khayyam--not +himself a tent-maker, but so-called, as are the Smiths of our own +day--was of the city of Nishapur. The invention of the Rubaiyat, or +Epigram, is not to his credit. That honor belongs to Abu Said of +Khorasan (968-1049), who used it as a means of expressing his mystic +pantheism. But there is an Omar Khayyam club in London--not one bearing +the name of Abu Said. What is the bond which binds the Rubaiyat-maker in +far-off Persia to the literati of modern Anglo-Saxondom? + +By his own people Omar was persecuted for his want of orthodoxy; and yet +his grave to this day is held in much honor. By others he was looked +upon as a Mystic. Reading the five hundred or so authentic quatrains one +asks, Which is the real Omar? Is it he who sings of wine and of +pleasure, who seems to preach a life of sensual enjoyment? or is it the +stern preacher, who criticises all, high and low; priest, dervish, and +Mystic--yea, even God himself? I venture to say that the real Omar is +both; or, rather, he is something higher than is adequately expressed in +these two words. The Ecclesiastes of Persia, he was weighed down by the +great questions of life and death and morality, as was he whom people so +wrongly call "the great sceptic of the Bible." The "_Weltschmerz_" was +his, and he fought hard within himself to find that mean way which +philosophers delight in pointing out. If at times Omar does preach +_carpe diem_, if he paint in his exuberant fancy the delights of +carousing, Fitzgerald is right--he bragged more than he drank. The +under-current of a serious view of life runs through all he has written; +the love of the beautiful in nature--a sense of the real worth of +certain things and the worthlessness of the Ego. Resignation to what is +man's evident fate; doing well what every day brings to be done--this is +his own answer. It was Job's--it was that of Ecclesiastes. + +This same "_Weltschmerz_" is ours to-day; therefore Omar Khayyam is of +us beloved. He speaks what often we do not dare to speak; one of his +quatrains can be more easily quoted than some of those thoughts can be +formulated. And then he is picturesque--picturesque because he is at +times ambiguous. Omar seems to us to have been so many things--a +believing Moslem, a pantheistic Mystic, an exact scientist (for he +reformed the Persian calendar). Such many-sidedness was possible in +Islam; but it gives him the advantage of appealing to many and different +classes of men; each class will find that he speaks their mind and their +mind only. That Omar was also tainted by Sufism there can be no doubt; +and many of his most daring flights must be regarded as the results of +the greater license which Mystic interpretation gave to its votaries. + +By the side of Firdusi the epic poet, and Omar the philosopher, Sa'di +the wise man, well deserves a place. His countrymen are accustomed to +speak of him simply as "the Sheikh," much more to his real liking than +the titles "The nightingale of the groves of Shiraz," or "The +nightingale of a Thousand Songs," in which Oriental hyperbole expresses +its appreciation. Few leaders and teachers have had the good fortune to +live out their teachings in their own lives as had Sa'di. And that life +was long indeed. Muharrif al-Din Abdallah Sa'di was born at Shiraz in +1184, and far exceeded the natural span of life allotted to man--for he +lived to be one hundred and ten years of age--and much of the time was +lived in days of stress and trouble. The Mongols were devastating in the +East; the Crusaders were fighting in the West. In 1226 Sa'di himself +felt the effects of the one--he was forced to leave Shiraz and grasp the +wanderer's staff, and by the Crusaders he was taken captive and led away +to Tripoli. But just this look into the wide world, this thorough +experience of men and things, produced that serenity of being that gave +him the firm hold upon life which the true teacher must always have. Of +his own spiritual condition and contentment he says: "Never did I +complain of my forlorn condition but on one occasion, when my feet were +bare, and I had not wherewithal to shoe them. Soon after, meeting a man +without feet, I was thankful for the bounty of Providence to myself, and +with perfect resignation submitted to my want of shoes." + +Thus attuned to the world, Sa'di escapes the depths of misanthropy as +well as the transports of unbridled license and somewhat blustering +swagger into which Omar at times fell. In his simplicity of heart he +says very tenderly of his own work;-- + + "We give advice in its proper place, + Spending a lifetime in the task. + If it should not touch any one's ear of desire, + The messenger told his tale; it is enough." + +That tale is a long one. His apprenticeship was spent in Arabic Bagdad, +sitting at the feet of noted scholars, and taking in knowledge not only +of his own Persian Sufism, but also of the science and learning which +had been gathered in the home of the Abbaside Caliphs. His +journeyman-years took him all through the dominions which were under +Arab influence--in Europe, the Barbary States, Egypt, Abyssinia, Arabia, +Syria, Palestine, Asia Minor, India. All these places were visited +before he returned to Shiraz, the "seat of learning," to put to writing +the thoughts which his sympathetic and observing mind had been evolving +during all these years. This time of his mastership was spent in the +seclusion almost of a recluse and in producing the twenty-two works +which have come down to us. An Oriental writer says of these periods of +his life: "The first thirty years of Sa'di's long life were devoted to +study and laying up a stock of knowledge; the next thirty, or perhaps +forty, in treasuring up experience and disseminating that knowledge +during his wide extending travels; and that some portion should +intervene between the business of life and the hour of death (and that +with him chanced to be the largest share of it), he spent the remainder +of his life, or seventy years, in the retirement of a recluse, when he +was exemplary in his temperance and edifying in his piety." + +Of Sa'di's versatility, these twenty-two works give sufficient evidence. +He could write homilies (Risalahs) in a Mystic-religious fashion. He +could compose lyrics in Arabic and Turkish as well as in Persian. He was +even led to give forth erotic verses. Fondly we hope that he did this +last at the command of some patron or ruler! But Sa'di is known to us +chiefly by his didactic works, and for these we cherish him. The +"Bustan," or "Tree-Garden," is the more sober and theoretical, treating +of the various problems and questions of ethics, and filled with Mystic +and Sufic descriptions of love. + +His other didactic work, the "Gulistan," is indeed a "Garden of Roses," +as its name implies; a mirror for every one alike, no matter what his +station in life may be. In prose and in poetry, alternating; in the form +of rare adventures and quaint devices; in accounts of the lives of kings +who have passed away; in maxims and apothegms, Sa'di inculcates his +worldly wisdom--worldly in the better sense of the word. Like Goethe in +our own day, he stood above the world and yet in it; so that while we +feel bound to him by the bonds of a common human frailty, he reaches out +with us to a higher and purer atmosphere. Though his style is often +wonderfully ornate, it is still more sober than that of Hafiz. Sa'di is +known to all readers of Persian in the East; his "Gulistan" is often a +favorite reading-book. + +The heroic and the didactic are, however, not the only forms in which +the genius of Persian poetry loved to clothe itself. From the earliest +times there were poets who sung of love and of wine, of youth and of +nature, with no thought of drawing a moral, or illustrating a tale. From +the times of Rudagi and the Samanide princes (tenth century), these +poets of sentiment sang their songs and charmed the ears of their +hearers. Even Firdusi showed, in some of his minor poems, that joyous +look into and upon the world which is the soul of all lyric poetry. But +of all the Persian lyric poets, Shams al-Din Mohammed Hafiz has been +declared by all to be the greatest. Though the storms of war and the +noise of strife beat all about his country and even disturbed the peace +of his native place--no trace of all this can be found in the poems of +Hafiz--as though he were entirely removed from all that went on about +him, though seeing just the actual things of life. He was, to all +appearance, unconcerned: glad only to live and to sing. At Shiraz he was +born; at Shiraz he died. Only once, it is recorded, did he leave his +native place, to visit the brother of his patron in Yezd. He was soon +back again: travel had no inducement for him. The great world outside +could offer him nothing more than his wonted haunts in Shiraz. It is +further said that he put on the garb of a Dervish; but he was altogether +free of the Dervish's conceit. "The ascetic is the serpent of his age" +is a saying put into his mouth. + +He had in him much that resembled Omar Khayyam; but he was not a +philosopher. Therefore, in the East at least, his "Divan" is more +popular than the Quatrains of Omar; his songs are sung where Omar's name +is not heard. He is substantially a man of melody--with much mannerism, +it is true, in his melody--but filling whatever he says with a wealth of +charming imagery and clothing his verse in delicate rhythms. Withal a +man, despite his boisterous gladsomeness and his overflowing joy in what +the present has to offer, in whom there is nothing common, nothing low. +"The Garden of Paradise may be pleasant," he tells us, "but forget not +the shade of the willow-tree and the fair margin of the fruitful field." +He is very human; but his humanity is deeply ethical in character. + +Much more than Omar and Sa'di, Hafiz was a thorough Sufi. "In one and +the same song you write of wine, of Sufism, and of the object of your +affection," is what Shah Shuja said to him once. In fact, we are often +at an entire loss to tell where reality ends and Sufic vacuity +commences. For this Mystic philosophy that we call Sufism patched up a +sort of peace between the old Persian and the conquering Mohammedan. By +using veiled language, by taking all the every-day things of life as +mere symbols of the highest transcendentalism, it was possible to be an +observing Mohammedan in the flesh, whilst the mind wandered in the +realms of pure fantasy and speculation. While enjoying Hafiz, then, and +bathing in his wealth of picture, one is at a loss to tell whether the +bodies he describes are of flesh and blood, or incorporeal ones with a +mystic background; whether the wine of which he sings really runs red, +and the love he describes is really centred upon a mortal being. Yet, +when he says of himself, "Open my grave when I am dead, and thou shalt +see a cloud of smoke rising out from it; then shalt thou know that the +fire still burns in my dead heart--yea, it has set my very winding-sheet +alight," there is a ring of reality in the substance which pierces +through the extravagant imagery. This the Persians themselves have +always felt; and they will not be far from the truth in regarding Hafiz +with a very peculiar affection as the writer who, better than anyone +else, is the poet of their gay moments and the boon companion of their +feasts. + +Firdusi, Omar, Sa'di, Hafiz, are names of which any literature may be +proud. None like unto them rose again in Persia, if we except the great +Jami. At the courts of Shah Abbas the Great (1588-1629) and of Akbar of +India (1556-1605), an attempt to revive Persian letters was indeed made. +But nothing came that could in any measure equal the heyday of the great +poets. The political downfall of Persia has effectually prevented the +coming of another spring and summer. The pride of the land of the Shah +must now rest in its past. + +[Illustration: (Signature of Richard Gottheil)] + +Columbia University, June 11, 1900. + + + +CONTENTS + +THE SHAH NAMEH + + Introduction + Kaiumers + Husheng + Tahumers + Jemshid + Mirtas-Tazi, and His Son Zohak + Kavah, the Blacksmith + Feridun + Feridun and His Three Sons + Minuchihr + Zal, the Son of Sam + The Dream of Sam + Rudabeh + Death of Minuchihr + Nauder + Afrasiyab Marches against Nauder + Afrasiyab + Zau + Garshasp + Kai-Kobad + Kai-Kaus + The Seven Labors of Rustem + Invasion of Iran by Afrasiyab + The Return of Kai-Kaus + Story of Sohrab + The Story of Saiawush + Kai-Khosrau + Akwan Diw + The Story of Byzun and Manijeh + Barzu, and His Conflict with Rustem + Susen and Afrasiyab + The Expedition of Gudarz + The Death of Afrasiyab + The Death of Kai-Khosrau + Lohurasp + Gushtasp, and the Faith of Zerdusht + The Heft-Khan of Isfendiyar + Capture of the Brazen Fortress + The Death of Isfendiyar + The Death of Rustem + Bahman + Humai and the Birth of Darab + Darab and Dara + Sikander + Firdusi's Invocation + Firdusi's Satire on Mahmud + +THE RUBAIYAT + + Introduction + Omar Khayyam + The Rubaiyat + +THE DIVAN + + Introduction + Fragment by Hafiz + The Divan + + + + + + +THE SHAH NAMEH + +by + +FIRDUSI + +(_Abul Kasim Mansur_) + +[_Translated into English by James Atkinson_] + + + +The system of Sir William Jones in the printing of Oriental words has +been kept in view in the following work, viz.: The letter _a_ represents +the short vowel as in _bat, a_ with an accent the broad sound of _a_ in +_hall, i_ as in _lily, i_ with an accent as in _police, u_ as in _bull, +u_ with an accent as in _rude, o_ with an accent as _o_ in _pole_, the +diphthong _ai_ as in _aisle, au_ as in the German word _kraut_ or _ou_ +in _house_. + + + +INTRODUCTION + +When Sir John Lubbock, in the list of a hundred books which he +published, in the year 1886, as containing the best hundred worth +reading, mentioned the "Shah Nameh" or "Book of Kings," written by the +Persian poet Firdusi, it is doubtful whether many of his readers had +even heard of such a poem or of its author. Yet Firdusi, "The Poet of +Paradise" (for such is the meaning of this pen-name), is as much the +national poet of Persia as Dante is of Italy or Shakespeare of England. +Abul Kasim Mansur is indeed a genuine epic poet, and for this reason his +work is of genuine interest to the lovers of Homer, Vergil, and Dante. +The qualities that go to make up an epic poem are all to be found in +this work of the Persian bard. In the first place, the "Shah Nameh" is +written by an enthusiastic patriot, who glorifies his country, and by +that means has become recognized as the national poet of Persia. In the +second place, the poem presents us with a complete view of a certain +definite phase, and complete era of civilization; in other words, it is +a transcript from the life; a portrait-gallery of distinct and unique +individuals; a description of what was once an actual society. We find +in it delineated the Persia of the heroic age, an age of chivalry, +eclipsing, in romantic emotion, deeds of daring, scenes of love and +violence, even the mediaeval chivalry of France and Spain. Again, this +poem deals principally with the adventures of one man. For all other +parts of the work are but accessories to the single figure of Rustem, +the heroic personage whose superhuman strength, dignity, and beauty make +him to be a veritable Persian Achilles. But when we regard the details +of this work we see how deeply the literary posterity of Homer are +indebted to the Father of European Poetry. The fantastic crowd of +demons, peris, and necromancers that appear as the supernatural +machinery of the Shah Nameh, such grotesque fancies as the serpents that +grew from the shoulders of King Zohak, or the ladder of Zerdusht, on +which he mounted from earth to heaven--all these and a hundred other +fancies compare unfavorably with the reserve of Homer, in his use of +such a personage as Circe, and the human grace and dignity which he +lends to that genial circle on Olympus, whose inextinguishable laughter +is called forth by the halting wine-bearer a god like themselves. While +we read the "Shah Nameh" with keen interest, because from its study the +mind is enlarged and stimulated by new scenes, new ideas and +unprecedented situations, we feel grateful that the battle of Salamis +stopped the Persian invasion of Europe, which would doubtless have +resulted in changing the current of literature from that orderly and +stately course which it had taken from its fountain in a Greek +Parnassus, and diverted it into the thousand brawling rills of Persian +fancy and exaggeration. + +It is a hundred years ago that a certain physician in the employment of +the East India Company, who then represented British supremacy in Bengal +and Calcutta, published the "Story of Sohrab," a poem in heroic +couplets, being a translation of the most pathetic episode in the "Shah +Nameh." If we compare this English poem with Jules Mohl's literal +translation of the Persian epic into French, we find that James Atkinson +stands very much in the same relation to Firdusi as Pope does to Homer. +It would be indeed absurd for an English writer to attempt to conform, +in an English version, to the vagaries of Persian idiom, or even to +attempt a literal rendering of the Persian trope. The manner of a poet +can never be faithfully reproduced in a translation, but all that is +really valuable, really affecting, in an epic poem will survive +transfusion into the frank and natural idiom of another tongue. We say +epic poem, because one of the distinguishing features in this form of +literary expression is that its action hinges on those fundamental +passions of humanity, that "touch which makes the whole world kin," +whose alphabet is the same in every latitude. The publication of +"Sohrab" was nevertheless the revelation of a new world to London +coteries, and the influence of Mr. Atkinson's work can be traced as well +in the Persian pastorals of Collins as in the oriental poems of Southey +and Moore. This metrical version of "Sohrab" is the only complete +episode of the Shah Nameh contained in the present collection. When we +consider that the Persian original consists of some one hundred and +twenty thousand lines, it will easily be understood that a literal +rendering of the whole would make a volume whose bulk would put it far +out of reach to the general reader. Atkinson has very wisely furnished +us with a masterly _resume_ of the chief episodes, each of which he +outlines in prose, occasionally flashing out into passages of sparkling +verse, which run through the narrative like golden threads woven into +the tissue of some storied tapestry. The literary style of the +translator is admirable. Sometimes, as when he describes the tent of +Manijeh, he becomes as simple and direct as Homer in depicting the +palace of Alcinous. The language of his Sohrab recalls the pathos of +Vergil's Nisus and Euryalus, and the paternal love and despair of +Dante's Ugolino. But in Rustem the tears of anguish and sorrow seem to +vanish like morning dew, in the excitement of fresh adventure, and human +feeling, as depicted by Firdusi, lacks not only the refined gradations, +but also the intensity, which we see in the Florentine poet. Atkinson's +versification is rather that of Queen Anne's time than what we of the +Victorian age profess to admire in Browning and Tennyson. But it is one +of the chief praises of Tennyson that he has treated Sir Thomas Malory +very much in the same way as Mr. Atkinson has treated Abul Kasim Mansur, +by bringing the essential features of an extinct society within the +range of modern vision, and into touch with modern sympathies. All that +is of value in Firdusi, to the reader of to-day, will be found in this +version of Atkinson, while the philologist or the antiquarian can +satisfy their curiosity either in the original, or in the French +versions whose fidelity is above suspicion. For it is bare justice to +say that James Atkinson's Firdusi is one of those translations, even +though it be at the same time an abridgment, which have taken their +place in the rank of British classics. It is the highest praise that can +be given to a work of this character to say that it may be placed on the +bookshelf side by side with Jeremy Collier's "Marcus Aurelius," Leland's +"Demosthenes," and the "Montaigne" of Charles Cotton. It embalms the +genuine spirit and life of an Oriental poem in the simple yet tasteful +form of English narrative. The blending of verse and prose is a happy +expedient. If we may use the metaphor of Horace, we should say, that Mr. +Atkinson alternately trudges along on foot, and rises on the wings of +verse into the upper air. The reader follows with pleasure both his +march and his flight, and reaches the end of the volume with the +distinct impression that he has been reading a Persian poem, and all the +while forgotten that it was written in the English language. + +E.W. + + + +THE SHAH NAMEH + + + +KAIUMERS + +According to the traditions of former ages, recorded in the +Bastan-nameh, the first person who established a code of laws and +exercised the functions of a monarch in Persia, was Kaiumers. It is said +that he dwelt among the mountains, and that his garments were made of +the skins of beasts. + + His reign was thirty years, and o'er the earth + He spread the blessings of paternal sway; + Wild animals, obsequious to his will, + Assembled round his throne, and did him homage. + He had a son named Saiamuk, a youth + Of lovely form and countenance, in war + Brave and accomplished, and the dear delight + Of his fond father, who adored the boy, + And only dreaded to be parted from him. + So is it ever with the world--the parent + Still doating on his offspring. Kaiumers + Had not a foe, save one, a hideous Demon, + Who viewed his power with envy, and aspired + To work his ruin. He, too, had a son, + Fierce as a wolf, whose days were dark and bitter, + Because the favoring heavens in kinder mood + Smiled on the monarch and his gallant heir. + --When Saiamuk first heard the Demon's aim + Was to o'erthrow his father and himself, + Surprise and indignation filled his heart, + And speedily a martial force he raised, + To punish the invader. Proudly garbed + In leopard's skin, he hastened to the war; + But when the combatants, with eager mien, + Impatient met upon the battle-field. + And both together tried their utmost strength, + Down from his enemy's dragon-grasp soon fell + The luckless son of royal Kaiumers, + Vanquished and lifeless. Sad, unhappy fate! + +Disheartened by this disastrous event, the army immediately retreated, +and returned to Kaiumers, who wept bitterly for the loss of his son, and +continued a long time inconsolable. But after a year had elapsed a +mysterious voice addressed him, saying:--"Be patient, and despair +not--thou hast only to send another army against the Demons, and the +triumph and the victory will be thine. + + "Drive from the earth that Demon horrible, + And sorrow will be rooted from thy heart." + +Saiamuk left a son whose name was Husheng, whom the king loved much more +even than his father. + + Husheng his name. There seemed in him combined, + Knowledge and goodness eminent. To him + Was given his father's dignity and station. + And the old man, his grandsire, scarcely deigned + To look upon another, his affection + For him was so unbounded. + +Kaiumers having appointed Husheng the leader of the army, the young hero +set out with an immense body of troops to engage the Demon and his son. +It is said that at that time every species of animal, wild and tame, was +obedient to his command. + + The savage beasts, and those of gentler kind, + Alike reposed before him, and appeared + To do him homage. + +The wolf, the tiger, the lion, the panther, and even the fowls of the +air, assembled in aid of him, and he, by the blessing of God, slew the +Demon and his offspring with his own hand. After which the army of +Kaiumers, and the devouring animals that accompanied him in his march, +defeated and tore to pieces the scattered legions of the enemy. Upon the +death of Kaiumers Husheng ascended the throne of Persia. + + + +HUSHENG + +It is recorded that Husheng was the first who brought out fire from +stone, and from that circumstance he founded the religion of the +Fire-worshippers, calling the flame which was produced, the Light of the +Divinity. The accidental discovery of this element is thus described:-- + + Passing, one day, towards the mountain's side, + Attended by his train, surprised he saw + Something in aspect terrible--its eyes + Fountains of blood; its dreadful mouth sent forth + Volumes of smoke that darkened all the air. + Fixing his gaze upon that hideous form, + He seized a stone, and with prodigious force + Hurling it, chanced to strike a jutting rock, + Whence sparks arose, and presently a fire + O'erspread the plain, in which the monster perished. + --Thus Husheng found the element which shed + Light through the world. The monarch prostrate bowed, + Praising the great Creator, for the good + Bestowed on man, and, pious, then he said, + "This is the Light from Heaven, sent down from God; + If ye be wise, adore and worship it!" + +It is also related that, in the evening of the day on which the luminous +flash appeared to him from the stone, he lighted an immense fire, and, +having made a royal entertainment, he called it the Festival of Siddeh. +By him the art of the blacksmith was discovered, and he taught river and +streamlet to supply the towns, and irrigate the fields for the purposes +of cultivation. And he also brought into use the fur of the sable, and +the squirrel, and the ermine. Before his time mankind had nothing for +food but fruit, and the leaves of trees and the skins of animals for +clothing. He introduced, and taught his people, the method of making +bread, and the art of cookery. + + Then ate they their own bread, for it was good, + And they were grateful to their benefactor; + Mild laws were framed--the very land rejoiced, + Smiling with cultivation; all the world + Remembering Husheng's virtues. + +The period of his government is said to have lasted forty years, and he +was succeeded by his son, Tahumers. + + + +TAHUMERS + +This sovereign was also called Diw-bund, or the Binder of Demons. He +assembled together all the wise men in his dominions, to consider and +deliberate upon whatever might be of utility and advantage to the people +of God. In his days wool was spun and woven, and garments and carpets +manufactured, and various animals, such as panthers, falcons, hawks, and +syagoshes, were tamed, and taught to assist in the sports of the field. +Tahumers had also a vizir, renowned for his wisdom and understanding. +Having one day charmed a Demon into his power by philters and magic, he +conveyed him to Tahumers; upon which, the brethren and allies of the +prisoner, feeling ashamed and degraded by the insult, collected an army, +and went to war against the king. Tahumers was equally in wrath when he +heard of these hostile proceedings, and having also gathered together an +army on his part, presented himself before the enemy. The name of the +leader of the Demons was Ghu. On one side the force consisted of fire, +and smoke, and Demons; on the other, brave and magnanimous warriors. +Tahumers lifted his mace, as soon as he was opposed to the enemy, and +giving Ghu a blow on the head, killed him on the spot. The other Demons +being taken prisoners, he ordered them to be destroyed; but they +petitioned for mercy, promising, if their lives were spared, that they +would teach him a wonderful art. Tahumers assented, and they immediately +brought their books, and pens and ink, and instructed him how to read +and write. + + They taught him letters, and his eager mind + With learning was illumined. The world was blest + With quiet and repose, Peris and Demons + Submitting to his will. + +The reign of Tahumers lasted thirty years, and after him the monarchy +descended to Jemshid, his son. + + + +JEMSHID + +Jemshid was eminently distinguished for learning and wisdom. It is said +that coats of mail, cuirasses, and swords and various kinds of armor +were invented and manufactured in his time, and also that garments of +silk were made and worn by his people. + + Helmets and swords, with curious art they made, + Guided by Jemshid's skill; and silks and linen + And robes of fur and ermine. Desert lands + Were cultivated; and wherever stream + Or rivulet wandered, and the soil was good, + He fixed the habitations of his people; + And there they ploughed and reaped: for in that age + All labored; none in sloth and idleness + Were suffered to remain, since indolence + Too often vanquishes the best, and turns + To nought the noblest, firmest resolution. + +Jemshid afterwards commanded his Demons to construct a splendid palace, +and he directed his people how to make the foundations strong. + + He taught the unholy Demon-train to mingle + Water and clay, with which, formed into bricks, + The walls were built, and then high turrets, towers, + And balconies, and roofs to keep out rain + And cold, and sunshine. Every art was known + To Jemshid, without equal in the world. + +He also made vessels for the sea and the river, and erected a +magnificent throne, embellished with pearls and precious stones; and +having seated himself upon it, commanded his Demons to raise him up in +the air, that he might be able to transport himself in a moment wherever +he chose. He named the first day of the year _Nu-ruz_ and on every +_Nu-ruz_ he made a royal feast, so that under his hospitable roof, +mortals, and Genii, and Demons, and Peris, were delighted and happy, +every one being equally regaled with wine and music. His government is +said to have continued in existence seven hundred years, and during that +period, it is added, none of his subjects suffered death, or was +afflicted with disease. + + Man seemed immortal, sickness was unknown, + And life rolled on in happiness and joy. + +After the lapse of seven hundred years, however, inordinate ambition +inflamed the heart of Jemshid, and, having assembled all the illustrious +personages and learned men in his dominions before him, he said to +them:--"Tell me if there exists, or ever existed, in all the world, a +king of such magnificence and power as I am?" They unanimously +replied:--"Thou art alone, the mightiest, the most victorious: there is +no equal to thee!" The just God beheld this foolish pride and vanity +with displeasure, and, as a punishment, cast him from the government of +an empire into a state of utter degradation and misery. + + All looked upon the throne, and heard and saw + Nothing but Jemshid, he alone was king, + Absorbing every thought; and in their praise, + And adoration of that mortal man, + Forgot the worship of the great Creator. + Then proudly thus he to his nobles spoke, + Intoxicated with their loud applause, + "I am unequalled, for to me the earth + Owes all its science, never did exist + A sovereignty like mine, beneficent + And glorious, driving from the populous land + Disease and want. Domestic joy and rest + Proceed from me, all that is good and great + Waits my behest; the universal voice + Declares the splendor of my government, + Beyond whatever human heart conceived, + And me the only monarch of the world." + --Soon as these words had parted from his lips, + Words impious, and insulting to high heaven, + His earthly grandeur faded--then all tongues + Grew clamorous and bold. The day of Jemshid + Passed into gloom, his brightness all obscured. + What said the Moralist? "When thou wert a king + Thy subjects were obedient, but whoever + Proudly neglects the worship of his God, + Brings desolation on his house and home." + --And when he marked the insolence of his people, + He knew the wrath of Heaven had been provoked, + And terror overcame him. + + + +MIRTAS-TAZI, AND HIS SON ZOHAK + +The old historians relate that Mirtas was the name of a king of the +Arabs; and that he had a thousand animals which gave milk, and the milk +of these animals he always distributed in charity among the poor. God +was pleased with his goodness, and accordingly increased his favor upon +him. + + Goats, sheep, and camels, yielded up their store + Of balmy milk, with which the generous king + Nourished the indigent and helpless poor. + +Mirtas had a son called Zohak, who possessed ten thousand Arab horses, +or Tazis, upon which account he was surnamed Biwurasp; biwur meaning ten +thousand, and asp a horse. One day Iblis, the Evil Spirit, appeared to +Zohak in the disguise of a good and virtuous man, and conversed with him +in the most agreeable manner. + + Pleased with his eloquence, the youth + Suspected not the speaker's truth; + But praised the sweet impassioned strain, + And asked him to discourse again. + +Iblis replied, that he was master of still sweeter converse, +but he could not address it to him, unless he first entered into +a solemn compact, and engaged never on any pretence to divulge +his secret. + + Zohak in perfect innocence of heart + Assented to the oath, and bound himself + Never to tell the secret; all he wished + Was still to hear the good man's honey words. + +But as soon as the oath was taken, Iblis said to him: "Thy father has +become old and worthless, and thou art young, and wise, and valiant. Let +him no longer stand in thy way, but kill him; the robes of sovereignty +are ready, and better adapted for thee." + + The youth in agony of mind, + Heard what the stranger now designed; + Could crime like this be understood! + The shedding of a parent's blood! + Iblis would no excuses hear-- + The oath was sworn--his death was near. + "For if thou think'st to pass it by, + The peril's thine, and thou must die!" + +Zohak was terrified and subdued by this warning, and asked Iblis in what +manner he proposed to sacrifice his father. Iblis replied, that he would +dig a pit on the path-way which led to Mirtas-Tazi's house of prayer. +Accordingly he secretly made a deep well upon the spot most convenient +for the purpose, and covered it over with grass. At night, as the king +was going, as usual, to the house of prayer, he fell into the pit, and +his legs and arms being broken by the fall, he shortly expired. O +righteous Heaven! that father too, whose tenderness would not suffer +even the winds to blow upon his son too roughly--and that son, by the +temptation of Iblis, to bring such a father to a miserable end! + + Thus urged to crime, through cruel treachery, + Zohak usurped his pious father's throne. + +When Iblis found that he had got Zohak completely in his power, he told +him that, if he followed his counsel and advice implicitly, he would +become the greatest monarch of the age, the sovereign of the seven +climes, signifying the whole world. Zohak agreed to every thing, and +Iblis continued to bestow upon him the most devoted attention and +flattery for the purpose of moulding him entirely to his will. To such +an extreme degree had his authority attained, that he became the sole +director even in the royal kitchen, and prepared for Zohak the most +delicious and savory food imaginable; for in those days bread and fruit +only were the usual articles of food. Iblis himself was the original +inventor of the cooking art. Zohak was delighted with the dishes, made +from every variety of bird and four-footed animal. Every day something +new and rare was brought to his table, and every day Iblis increased in +favor. But an egg was to him the most delicate of all! "What can there +be superior to this?" said he. "To-morrow," replied Iblis, "thou shalt +have something better, and of a far superior kind." + + Next day he brought delicious fare, and dressed + In manner exquisite to please the eye, + As well as taste; partridge and pheasant rich, + A banquet for a prince. Zohak beheld + Delighted the repast, and eagerly + Relished its flavor; then in gratitude, + And admiration of the matchless art + Which thus had ministered to his appetite, + He cried:--"For this, whatever thou desirest, + And I can give, is thine." Iblis was glad, + And, little anxious, had but one request-- + One unimportant wish--it was to kiss + The monarch's naked shoulder--a mere whim. + And promptly did Zohak comply, for he + Was unsuspicious still, and stripped himself, + Ready to gratify that simple wish. + + Iblis then kissed the part with fiendish glee, + And vanished in an instant. + + From the touch + Sprang two black serpents! Then a tumult rose + Among the people, searching for Iblis + Through all the palace, but they sought in vain. + + To young and old it was a marvellous thing; + The serpents writhed about as seeking food, + And learned men to see the wonder came, + And sage magicians tried to charm away + That dreadful evil, but no cure was found. + +Some time afterwards Iblis returned to Zohak, but in the shape of a +physician, and told him that it was according to his own horoscope that +he suffered in this manner--it was, in short, his destiny--and that the +serpents would continue connected with him throughout his life, +involving him in perpetual misery. Zohak sunk into despair, upon the +assurance of there being no remedy for him, but Iblis again roused him +by saying, that if the serpents were fed daily with human brains, which +would probably kill them, his life might be prolonged, and made easy. + + If life has any charm for thee, + The brain of man their food must be! + +With the adoption of this deceitful stratagem, Iblis was highly pleased, +and congratulated himself upon the success of his wicked exertions, +thinking that in this manner a great portion of the human race would be +destroyed. He was not aware that his craft and cunning had no influence +in the house of God; and that the descendants of Adam are continually +increasing. + +When the people of Iran and Turan heard that Zohak kept near him two +devouring serpents, alarm and terror spread everywhere, and so universal +was the dread produced by this intelligence, that the nobles of Persia +were induced to abandon their allegiance to Jemshid, and, turning +through fear to Zohak, confederated with the Arab troops against their +own country. Jemshid continued for some time to resist their efforts, +but was at last defeated, and became a wanderer on the face of the +earth. + + To him existence was a burden now, + The world a desert--for Zohak had gained + The imperial crown, and from all acts and deeds + Of royal import, razed out the very name + Of Jemshid hateful in the tyrant's eyes. + +The Persian government having fallen into the hands of the usurper, he +sent his spies in every direction for the purpose of getting possession +of Jemshid wherever he might be found, but their labor was not crowned +with success. The unfortunate wanderer, after experiencing numberless +misfortunes, at length took refuge in Zabulistan. + + Flying from place to place, through wilderness, + Wide plain, and mountain, veiled from human eye, + Hungry and worn out with fatigue and sorrow, + He came to Zabul. + +The king of Zabulistan, whose name was Gureng, had a daughter of extreme +beauty. She was also remarkable for her mental endowments, and was +familiar with warlike exercises. + + So graceful in her movements, and so sweet, + Her very look plucked from the breast of age + The root of sorrow--her wine-sipping lips, + And mouth like sugar, cheeks all dimpled o'er + With smiles, and glowing as the summer rose-- + Won every heart. + +This damsel, possessed of these beauties and charms, was accustomed to +dress herself in the warlike habiliments of a man, and to combat with +heroes. She was then only fifteen years of age, but so accomplished in +valor, judgment, and discretion, that Minuchihr, who had in that year +commenced hostile operations against her father, was compelled to +relinquish his pretensions, and submit to the gallantry which she +displayed on that occasion. Her father's realm was saved by her +magnanimity. Many kings were her suitors, but Gureng would not give his +consent to her marriage with any of them. He only agreed that she should +marry the sovereign whom she might spontaneously love. + + It must be love, and love alone,[1] + That binds thee to another's throne; + In this my father has no voice, + Thine the election, thine the choice. + +The daughter of Gureng had a Kabul woman for her nurse, who was deeply +skilled in all sorts of magic and sorcery. + + The old enchantress well could say, + What would befall on distant day; + And by her art omnipotent, + Could from the watery element + Draw fire, and with her magic breath, + Seal up a dragon's eyes in death. + Could from the flint-stone conjure dew; + The moon and seven stars she knew; + And of all things invisible + To human sight, this crone could tell. + +This Kabul sorceress had long before intimated to the damsel that, +conformably with her destiny, which had been distinctly ascertained from +the motions of the heavenly bodies, she would, after a certain time, be +married to King Jemshid, and bear him a beautiful son. The damsel was +overjoyed at these tidings, and her father received them with equal +pleasure, refusing in consequence the solicitations of every other +suitor. Now according to the prophecy, Jemshid arrived at the city of +Zabul in the spring season, when the roses were in bloom; and it so +happened that the garden of King Gureng was in the way, and also that +his daughter was amusing herself at the time in the garden. Jemshid +proceeded in that direction, but the keepers of the garden would not +allow him to pass, and therefore, fatigued and dispirited, he sat down +by the garden-door under the shade of a tree. Whilst he was sitting +there a slave-girl chanced to come out of the garden, and, observing +him, was surprised at his melancholy and forlorn condition. She said to +him involuntarily: "Who art thou?" and Jemshid raising up his eyes, +replied:--"I was once possessed of wealth and lived in great affluence, +but I am now abandoned by fortune, and have come from a distant country. +Would to heaven I could be blessed with a few cups of wine, my fatigue +and affliction might then be relieved." The girl smiled, and returned +hastily to the princess, and told her that a young man, wearied with +travelling, was sitting at the garden gate, whose countenance was more +lovely even than that of her mistress, and who requested to have a few +cups of wine. When the damsel heard such high praise of the stranger's +features she was exceedingly pleased, and said: "He asks only for wine, +but I will give him both wine and music, and a beautiful mistress +beside." + + This saying, she repaired towards the gate, + In motion graceful as the waving cypress, + Attended by her hand-maid; seeing him, + She thought he was a warrior of Iran + With spreading shoulders, and his loins well bound. + His visage pale as the pomegranate flower, + He looked like light in darkness. Warm emotions + Rose in her heart, and softly thus she spoke: + "Grief-broken stranger, rest thee underneath + These shady bowers; if wine can make thee glad, + Enter this pleasant place, and drink thy fill." + +Whilst the damsel was still speaking and inviting Jemshid into the +garden, he looked at her thoughtfully, and hesitated; and she said to +him: "Why do you hesitate? I am permitted by my father to do what I +please, and my heart is my own. + + "Stranger, my father is the monarch mild + Of Zabulistan, and I his only child; + On me is all his fond affection shown; + My wish is his, on me he dotes alone." + +Jemshid had before heard of the character and renown of this +extraordinary damsel, yet he was not disposed to comply with her +entreaty; but contemplating again her lovely face, his heart became +enamoured, when she took him by the hand and led him along the beautiful +walks. + + With dignity and elegance she passed-- + As moves the mountain partridge through the meads; + Her tresses richly falling to her feet, + And filling with perfume the softened breeze. + +In their promenade they arrived at the basin of a fountain, near which +they seated themselves upon royal carpets, and the damsel having placed +Jemshid in such a manner that they might face each other, she called for +music and wine. + + But first the rose-cheeked handmaids gathered round, + And washed obsequiously the stranger's feet; + Then on the margin of the silvery lake + Attentive sate. + +The youth, after this, readily took the wine and refreshments which were +ordered by the princess. + + Three cups he drank with eager zest, + Three cups of ruby wine; + Which banished sorrow from his breast, + For memory left no sign + Of past affliction; not a trace + Remained upon his heart, or smiling face. + +Whilst he was drinking, the princess observed his peculiar action and +elegance of manner, and instantly said in her heart: "This must be a +king!" She then offered him some more food, as he had come a long +journey, and from a distant land, but he only asked for more wine. "Is +your fondness for wine so great?" said she. And he replied: "With wine I +have no enemy; yet, without it I can be resigned and contented. + + "Whilst drinking wine I never see + The frowning face of my enemy; + Drink freely of the grape, and nought + Can give the soul one mournful thought; + Wine is a bride of witching power, + And wisdom is her marriage dower; + Wine can the purest joy impart, + Wine inspires the saddest heart; + Wine gives cowards valour's rage, + Wine gives youth to tottering age; + Wine gives vigour to the weak, + And crimson to the pallid cheek; + And dries up sorrow, as the sun + Absorbs the dew it shines upon." + +From the voice and eloquence of the speaker she now conjectured that +this certainly must be King Jemshid, and she felt satisfied that her +notions would soon be realized. At this moment she recollected that +there was a picture of Jemshid in her father's gallery, and thought of +sending for it to compare the features; but again she considered that +the person before her was certainly and truly Jemshid, and that the +picture would be unnecessary on the occasion. + +It is said that two ring-doves, a male and female, happened to alight on +the garden wall near the fountain where they were sitting, and began +billing and cooing in amorous play, so that seeing them together in such +soft intercourse, blushes overspread the cheeks of the princess, who +immediately called for her bow and arrows. When they were brought she +said to Jemshid, "Point out which of them I shall hit, and I will bring +it to the ground." Jemshid replied: "Where a man is, a woman's aid is +not required--give me the bow, and mark my skill; + + "However brave a woman may appear, + Whatever strength of arm she may possess, + She is but half a man!" + +Upon this observation being made, the damsel turned her head aside +ashamed, and gave him the bow. Her heart was full of love. Jemshid took +the bow, and selecting a feathered arrow out of her hand, said:--"Now +for a wager. If I hit the female, shall the lady whom I most admire in +this company be mine?" The damsel assented. Jemshid drew the string, and +the arrow struck the female dove so skilfully as to transfix both the +wings, and pin them together. The male ring-dove flew away, but moved by +natural affection it soon returned, and settled on the same spot as +before. The bow was said to be so strong that there was not a warrior in +the whole kingdom who could even draw the string; and when the damsel +witnessed the dexterity of the stranger, and the ease with which he used +the weapon, she thought within her heart, "There can be no necessity for +the picture; I am certain that this can be no other than the King +Jemshid, the son of Tahumers, called the Binder of Demons." Then she +took the bow from the hand of Jemshid, and observed: "The male bird has +returned to its former place, if my aim be successful shall the man whom +I choose in this company be my husband?" Jemshid instantly understood +her meaning. At that moment the Kabul nurse appeared, and the young +princess communicated to her all that had occurred. The nurse leisurely +examined Jemshid from head to foot with a slave-purchaser's eye, and +knew him, and said to her mistress--"All that I saw in thy horoscope and +foretold, is now in the course of fulfilment. God has brought Jemshid +hither to be thy spouse. Be not regardless of thy good fortune, and the +Almighty will bless thee with a son, who will be the conqueror of the +world. The signs and tokens of thy destiny I have already explained." +The damsel had become greatly enamoured of the person of the stranger +before she knew who he was, and now being told by her nurse that he was +Jemshid himself, her affection was augmented twofold. + + The happy tidings, blissful to her heart, + Increased the ardour of her love for him. + +And now the picture was brought to the princess, who, finding the +resemblance exact, put it into Jemshid's hand. Jemshid, in secretly +recognizing his own likeness, was forcibly reminded of his past glory +and happiness, and he burst into tears. + + The memory of the diadem and throne + No longer his, came o'er him, and his soul + Was rent with anguish. + +The princess said to him: "Why at the commencement of our friendship +dost thou weep? Art thou discontented--dissatisfied, unhappy? and am I +the cause?" Jemshid replied: "No, it is simply this; those who have +feeling, and pity the sufferings of others, weep involuntarily. I pity +the misfortunes of Jemshid, driven as he is by adversity from the +splendor of a throne, and reduced to a state of destitution and ruin. +But he must now be dead; devoured, perhaps, by the wolves and lions of +the forest." The nurse and princess, however, were convinced, from the +sweetness of his voice and discourse, that he could be no other than +Jemshid himself, and taking him aside, they said: "Speak truly, art thou +not Jemshid?" But he denied himself. Again, they observed: "What says +this picture?" To this he replied; "It is not impossible that I may be +like Jemshid in feature; for surely there may be in the world two men +like each other?" And notwithstanding all the efforts made by the damsel +and her nurse to induce Jemshid to confess, he still resolutely denied +himself. Several times she assured him she would keep his secret, if he +had one, but that she was certain of his being Jemshid. Still he denied +himself. "This nurse of mine, whom thou seest," said she, "has often +repeated to me the good tidings that I should be united to Jemshid, and +bear him a son. My heart instinctively acknowledged thee at first sight: +then wherefore this denial of the truth? Many kings have solicited my +hand in marriage, but all have been rejected, as I am destined to be +thine, and united to no other." Dismissing now all her attendants, she +remained with the nurse and Jemshid, and then resumed:-- + + "How long hath sleep forsaken me? how long + Hath my fond heart been kept awake by love? + Hope still upheld me--give me one kind look, + And I will sacrifice my life for thee; + Come, take my life, for it is thine for ever." + +Saying this, the damsel began to weep, and shedding a flood of tears, +tenderly reproached him for not acknowledging the truth. Jemshid was at +length moved by her affection and sorrow, and thus addressed +her:--"There are two considerations which at present prevent the truth +being told. One of them is my having a powerful enemy, and Heaven forbid +that he should obtain information of my place of refuge. The other is, I +never intrust my secrets to a woman! + + "Fortune I dread, since fortune is my foe, + And womankind are seldom known to keep + Another's secret. To be poor and safe, + Is better far than wealth exposed to peril." + To this the princess: "Is it so decreed, + That every woman has two tongues, two hearts? + All false alike, their tempers all the same? + No, no! could I disloyally betray thee? + I who still love thee better than my life?" + +Jemshid found it impossible to resist the damsel's incessant entreaties +and persuasive tenderness, mingled as they were with tears of sorrow. +Vanquished thus by the warmth of her affections, he told her his name, +and the history of his misfortunes. She then ardently seized his hand, +overjoyed at the disclosure, and taking him privately to her own +chamber, they were married according to the customs of her country. + + Him to the secret bower with blushing cheek + Exultingly she led, and mutual bliss, + Springing from mutual tenderness and love, + Entranced their souls. + +When Gureng the king found that his daughter's visits to him became less +frequent than usual, he set his spies to work, and was not long in +ascertaining the cause of her continued absence. She had married without +his permission, and he was in great wrath. It happened, too, at this +time that the bride was pale and in delicate health. + + The mystery soon was manifest, + And thus the king his child addrest, + Whilst anger darkened o'er his brow:-- + "What hast thou done, ungrateful, now? + Why hast thou flung, in evil day, + The veil of modesty away? + That cheek the bloom of spring displayed, + Now all is withered, all decayed; + But daughters, as the wise declare, + Are ever false, if they be fair." + + Incensed at words so sharp and strong, + The damsel thus repelled the wrong:-- + "Me, father, canst thou justly blame? + I never, never, brought thee shame; + With me can sin and crime accord, + When Jemshid is my wedded lord?" + +After this precipitate avowal, the Kabul nurse, of many spells, +instantly took up her defence, and informed the king that the prophecy +she had formerly communicated to him was on the point of fulfilment, and +that the Almighty having, in the course of destiny, brought Jemshid into +his kingdom, the princess, according to the same planetary influence, +would shortly become a mother. + + And now the damsel grovels on the ground + Before King Gureng. "Well thou know'st," she cries, + "From me no evil comes. Whether in arms, + Or at the banquet, honour guides me still: + And well thou know'st thy royal will pronounced + That I should be unfettered in my choice, + And free to take the husband I preferred. + This I have done; and to the greatest king + The world can boast, my fortunes are united, + To Jemshid, the most perfect of mankind." + +With this explanation the king expressed abundant and unusual +satisfaction. His satisfaction, however, did not arise from the +circumstance of the marriage, and the new connection it established, but +from the opportunity it afforded him of betraying Jemshid, and +treacherously sending him bound to Zohak, which he intended to do, in +the hopes of being magnificently rewarded. Exulting with this +anticipation, he said to her smiling:-- + + "Glad tidings thou hast given to me, + My glory owes its birth to thee; + I bless the day, and bless the hour, + Which placed this Jemshid in my power. + Now to Zohak, a captive bound, + I send the wanderer thou hast found; + For he who charms the monarch's eyes, + With this long-sought, this noble prize, + On solemn word and oath, obtains + A wealthy kingdom for his pains." + +On hearing these cruel words the damsel groaned, and wept exceedingly +before her father, and said to him: "Oh, be not accessory to the murder +of such a king! Wealth and kingdoms pass away, but a bad name remains +till the day of doom. + + "Turn thee, my father, from this dreadful thought, + And save his sacred blood: let not thy name + Be syllabled with horror through the world, + For such an act as this. When foes are slain, + It is enough, but keep the sword away + From friends and kindred; shun domestic crime. + Fear him who giveth life, and strength, and power, + For goodness is most blessed. On the day + Of judgment thou wilt then be unappalled. + But if determined to divide us, first + Smite off this head, and let thy daughter die." + +So deep and violent was the grief of the princess, and her lamentations +so unceasing, that the father became softened into compassion, and, on +her account, departed from the resolution he had made. He even promised +to furnish Jemshid with possessions, with treasure, and an army, and +requested her to give him the consolation he required, adding that he +would see him in the morning in his garden. + + The heart-alluring damsel instant flew + To tell the welcome tidings to her lord. + +Next day King Gureng proceeded to the garden, and had an interview with +Jemshid, to whom he expressed the warmest favor and affection; but +notwithstanding all he said, Jemshid could place no confidence in his +professions, and was anxious to effect his escape. He was, indeed, soon +convinced of his danger, for he had a private intimation that the king's +vizirs were consulting together on the expedience of securing his +person, under the apprehension that Zohak would be invading the country, +and consigning it to devastation and ruin, if his retreat was +discovered. He therefore took to flight. + +Jemshid first turned his steps towards Chin, and afterwards into Ind. He +had travelled a great distance in that beautiful country, and one day +came to a tower, under whose shadow he sought a little repose, for the +thoughts of his melancholy and disastrous condition kept him almost +constantly awake. + + And am I thus to perish? Thus forlorn, + To mingle with the dust? Almighty God! + Was ever mortal born to such a fate, + A fate so sad as mine! O that I never + Had drawn the breath of life, to perish thus! + +Exhausted by the keenness of his affliction Jemshid at length fell +asleep. Zohak, in the meanwhile, had despatched an envoy, with an escort +of troops, to the Khakan of Chin, and at that moment the cavalcade +happened to be passing by the tower where Jemshid was reposing. The +envoy, attracted to the spot, immediately recognized him, and awakening +him to a sense of this new misfortune, secured the despairing and +agonized wanderer, and sent him to Zohak. + + He saw a person sleeping on the ground, + And knew that it was Jemshid. Overjoyed, + He bound his feet with chains, and mounted him + Upon a horse, a prisoner. + + What a world! + No place of rest for man! Fix not thy heart, + Vain mortal! on this tenement of life, + On earthly pleasures; think of Jemshid's fate; + His glory reached the Heavens, and now this world + Has bound the valiant monarch's limbs in fetters, + And placed its justice in the hands of slaves. + +When Zohak received intelligence of the apprehension of his enemy, he +ordered him to be brought before the throne that he might enjoy the +triumph. + + All fixed their gaze upon the captive king, + Loaded with chains; his hands behind his back; + The ponderous fetters passing from his neck + Down to his feet; oppressed with shame he stood, + Like the narcissus bent with heavy dew. + Zohak received him with a scornful smile, + Saying, "Where is thy diadem, thy throne, + Where is thy kingdom, where thy sovereign rule; + Thy laws and royal ordinances--where, + Where are they now? What change is this that fate + Has wrought upon thee?" Jemshid thus rejoined: + "Unjustly am I brought in chains before thee, + Betrayed, insulted--thou the cause of all, + And yet thou wouldst appear to feel my wrongs!" + Incensed at this defiance, mixed with scorn, + Fiercely Zohak replied, "Then choose thy death; + Shall I behead thee, stab thee, or impale thee, + Or with an arrow's point transfix thy heart! + What is thy choice?"-- + + "Since I am in thy power, + Do with me what thou wilt--why should I dread + Thy utmost vengeance, why express a wish + To save my body from a moment's pain!" + +As soon as Zohak heard these words he resolved upon a horrible deed of +vengeance. He ordered two planks to be brought, and Jemshid being +fastened down between them, his body was divided the whole length with a +saw, making two figures of Jemshid out of one! + + Why do mankind upon this fleeting world + Place their affections, wickedness alone + Is nourished into freshness; sounds of death, too, + Are ever on the gale to wear out life. + My heart is satisfied--O Heaven! no more, + Free me at once from this continual sorrow. + +It was not long before tidings of the foul proceedings, which put an end +to the existence of the unfortunate Jemshid, reached Zabulistan. The +princess, his wife, on hearing of his fate, wasted away with +inconsolable grief, and at last took poison to unburden herself of +insupportable affliction. + +It is related that Jemshid had two sisters, named Shahrnaz and Arnawaz. +They had been both seized, and conveyed to Zohak by his people, and +continued in confinement for some time in the King's harem, but they +were afterwards released by Feridun. + +The tyrant's cruelty and oppression had become intolerable. He was +constantly shedding blood, and committing every species of crime. + + The serpents still on human brains were fed, + And every day two youthful victims bled; + The sword, still ready--thirsting still to strike, + Warrior and slave were sacrificed alike. + +The career of Zohak himself, however, was not unvisited by terrors. One +night he dreamt that he was attacked by three warriors; two of them of +large stature, and one of them small. The youngest struck him a blow on +the head with his mace, bound his hands, and casting a rope round his +neck, dragged him along in the presence of crowds of people. Zohak +screamed, and sprung up from his sleep in the greatest horror. The +females of his harem were filled with amazement when they beheld the +terrified countenance of the king who, in reply to their inquiries, +said, trembling: "This is a dream too dreadful to be concealed." He +afterwards called together the Mubids, or wise men of his court; and +having communicated to them the particulars of what had appeared to him +in his sleep, commanded them to give him a faithful interpretation of +the dream. The Mubids foresaw in this vision the approaching declension +of his power and dominion, but were afraid to explain their opinions, +because they were sure that their lives would be sacrificed if the true +interpretation was given to him. Three days were consumed under the +pretence of studying more scrupulously all the signs and appearances, +and still not one of them had courage to speak out. On the fourth day +the king grew angry, and insisted upon the dream being interpreted. In +this dilemma, the Mubids said, "Then, if the truth must be told, without +evasion, thy life approaches to an end, and Feridun, though yet unborn, +will be thy successor,"--"But who was it," inquired Zohak impatiently, +"that struck the blow on my head?" The Mubids declared, with fear and +trembling, "it was the apparition of Feridun himself, who is destined to +smite thee on the head."--"But why," rejoined Zohak, "does he wish to +injure me?"--"Because, his father's blood being spilt by thee, vengeance +falls into his hands." Hearing this interpretation of his dream, the +king sunk senseless on the ground; and when he recovered, he could +neither sleep nor take food, but continued overwhelmed with sorrow and +misery. The light of his day was forever darkened. + +Abtin was the name of Feridun's father, and that of his mother Faranuk, +of the race of Tahumers. Zohak, therefore, stimulated to further cruelty +by the prophecy, issued an order that every person belonging to the +family of the Kais, wherever found, should be seized and fettered, and +brought to him. Abtin had long avoided discovery, continuing to reside +in the most retired and solitary places; but one day his usual +circumspection forsook him, and he ventured beyond his limits. This +imprudent step was dreadfully punished, for the spies of Zohak fell in +with him, recognized him, and carrying him to the king, he was +immediately put to death. When the mother of Feridun heard of this +sanguinary catastrophe, she took up her infant and fled. It is said that +Feridun was at that time only two months old. In her flight, the mother +happened to arrive at some pasturage ground. The keeper of the pasture +had a cow named Pur'maieh, which yielded abundance of milk, and he gave +it away in charity. In consequence of the grief and distress of mind +occasioned by the murder of her husband, Faranuk's milk dried up in her +breasts, and she was therefore under the necessity of feeding the child +with the milk from the cow. She remained there one night, and would have +departed in the morning; but considering the deficiency of milk, and the +misery in which she was involved, continually afraid of being discovered +and known, she did not know what to do. At length she thought it best to +leave Feridun with the keeper of the pasture, and resigning him to the +protection of God, went herself to the mountain Alberz. The keeper +readily complied with the tenderest wishes of the mother, and nourished +the child with the fondness and affection of a parent during the space +of three years. After that period had elapsed, deep sorrow continuing to +afflict the mind of Faranuk, she returned secretly to the old man of the +pasture, for the purpose of reclaiming and conveying Feridun to a safer +place of refuge upon the mountain Alberz. The keeper said to her: "Why +dost thou take the child to the mountain? he will perish there;" but she +replied that God Almighty had inspired a feeling in her heart that it +was necessary to remove him. It was a divine inspiration, and verified +by the event. + +Intelligence having at length reached Zohak that the son of Abtin was +nourished and protected by the keeper of the pasture, he himself +proceeded with a large force to the spot, where he put to death the +keeper and all his tribe, and also the cow which had supplied milk to +Feridun, whom he sought for in vain. + + He found the dwelling of his infant-foe, + And laid it in the dust; the very ground + Was punished for the sustenance it gave him. + +The ancient records relate that a dervish happened to have taken up his +abode in the mountain Alberz, and that Faranuk committed her infant to +his fostering care. The dervish generously divided with the mother and +son all the food and comforts which God gave him, and at the same time +he took great pains in storing the mind of Feridun with various kinds of +knowledge. One day he said to the mother: "The person foretold by wise +men and astrologers as the destroyer of Zohak and his tyranny, is thy +son! + + "This child to whom thou gavest birth, + Will be the monarch of the earth;" + +and the mother, from several concurring indications and signs, held a +similar conviction. + +When Feridun had attained his sixteenth year, he descended from the +mountain, and remained for a time on the plain beneath. He inquired of +his mother why Zohak had put his father to death, and Faranuk then told +him the melancholy story; upon hearing which, he resolved to be revenged +on the tyrant. His mother endeavored to divert him from his +determination, observing that he was young, friendless, and alone, +whilst his enemy was the master of the world, and surrounded by armies. +"Be not therefore precipitate," said she. "If it is thy destiny to +become a king, wait till the Almighty shall bless thee with means +sufficient for the purpose." + + Displeased, the youth his mother's caution heard, + And meditating vengeance on the head + Of him who robbed him of a father, thus + Impatiently replied:--"'Tis Heaven inspires me; + Led on by Heaven, this arm will quickly bring + The tyrant from his palace, to the dust." + "Imprudent boy!" the anxious mother said; + "Canst thou contend against imperial power? + Must I behold thy ruin? Pause awhile, + And perish not in this wild enterprise." + +It is recorded that Zohak's dread of Feridun was so great, that day by +day he became more irritable, wasting away in bitterness of spirit, for +people of all ranks kept continually talking of the young invader, and +were daily expecting his approach. At last he came, and Zohak was +subdued, and his power extinguished. + + + +KAVAH, THE BLACKSMITH + +Zohak having one day summoned together all the nobles and philosophers +of the kingdom, he said to them: "I find that a young enemy has risen up +against me; but notwithstanding his tender years, there is no safety +even with an apparently insignificant foe. I hear, too, that though +young, he is distinguished for his prowess and wisdom; yet I fear not +him, but the change of fortune. I wish therefore to assemble a large +army, consisting of Men, Demons, and Peris, that this enemy may be +surrounded, and conquered. And, further, since a great enterprise is on +the eve of being undertaken, it will be proper in future to keep a +register or muster-roll of all the people of every age in my dominions, +and have it revised annually." The register, including both old and +young, was accordingly prepared. + +At that period there lived a man named Kavah, a blacksmith, remarkably +strong and brave, and who had a large family. Upon the day on which it +fell to the lot of two of his children to be killed to feed the +serpents, he rose up with indignation in presence of the king, and said: + + "Thou art the king, but wherefore on my head + Cast fire and ashes? If thou hast the form + Of hissing dragon, why to me be cruel? + Why give the brains of my beloved children + As serpent-food, and talk of doing justice?" + + At this bold speech the monarch was dismayed, + And scarcely knowing what he did, released + The blacksmith's sons. How leapt the father's heart, + How warmly he embraced his darling boys! + But now Zohak directs that Kavah's name + Shall be inscribed upon the register. + Soon as the blacksmith sees it written there, + Wrathful he turns towards the chiefs assembled, + Exclaiming loud: "Are ye then men, or what, + Leagued with a Demon!" All astonished heard, + And saw him tear the hated register, + And cast it under foot with rage and scorn. + +Kavah having thus reviled the king bitterly, and destroyed the register +of blood, departed from the court, and took his children along with him. +After he had gone away, the nobles said to the king: + + "Why should reproaches, sovereign of the world, + Be thus permitted? Why the royal scroll + Torn in thy presence, with a look and voice + Of proud defiance, by the rebel blacksmith? + So fierce his bearing, that he seems to be + A bold confederate of this Feridun." + Zohak replied: "I know not what o'ercame me, + But when I saw him with such vehemence + Of grief and wild distraction, strike his forehead, + Lamenting o'er his children, doomed to death, + Amazement seized my heart, and chained my will. + What may become of this, Heaven only knows, + For none can pierce the veil of destiny." + + Kavah, meanwhile, with warning voice set forth + What wrongs the nation suffered, and there came + Multitudes round him, who called out aloud + For justice! justice! On his javelin's point + He fixed his leathern apron for a banner, + And lifting it on high, he went abroad + To call the people to a task of vengeance. + Wherever it was seen crowds followed fast, + Tired of the cruel tyranny they suffered. + "Let us unite with Feridun," he cried, + "And from Zohak's oppression we are free!" + And still he called aloud, and all obeyed + Who heard him, high and low. Anxious he sought + For Feridun, not knowing his retreat: + But still he hoped success would crown his search. + + The hour arrived, and when he saw the youth, + Instinctively he knew him, and thanked Heaven + For that good fortune. Then the leathern banner + Was splendidly adorned with gold and jewels, + And called the flag of Kavah. From that time + It was a sacred symbol; every king + In future, on succeeding to the throne, + Did honor to that banner, the true sign + Of royalty, in veneration held. + +Feridun, aided by the directions and advice of the blacksmith, now +proceeded against Zohak. His mother wept to see him depart, and +continually implored the blessing of God upon him. He had two elder +brothers, whom he took along with him. Desirous of having a mace formed +like the head of a cow, he requested Kavah to make one of iron, and it +was accordingly made in the shape he described. In his progress, he +visited a shrine or place of pilgrimage frequented by the worshippers of +God, where he besought inspiration and aid, and where he was taught by a +radiant personage the mysteries of the magic art, receiving from him a +key to every secret. + + Bright beamed his eye, with firmer step he strode, + His smiling cheek with warmer crimson glowed. + +When his two brothers saw his altered mien, the pomp and splendor of his +appearance, they grew envious of his good fortune, and privately +meditated his fall. One day they found him asleep at the foot of a +mountain, and they immediately went to the top and rolled down a heavy +fragment of rock upon him with the intention of crushing him to death; +but the clattering noise of the stone awoke him, and, instantly +employing the knowledge of sorcery which had been communicated to him, +the stone was suddenly arrested by him in its course. The brothers +beheld this with astonishment, and hastening down the mountain, cried +aloud: "We know not how the stone was loosened from its place: God +forbid that it should have done any injury to Feridun." Feridun, +however, was well aware of this being the evil work of his brothers, but +he took no notice of the conspiracy, and instead of punishing them, +raised them to higher dignity and consequence. + +They saw that Kavah directed the route of Feridun over the mountainous +tracts and plains which lie contiguous to the banks of the Dijleh, or +Tigris, close to the city of Bagdad. Upon reaching that river, they +called for boats, but got no answer from the ferryman; at which Feridun +was enraged, and immediately plunged, on horseback, into the foaming +stream. All his army followed without delay, and with the blessing of +God arrived on the other side in safety. He then turned toward the +Bait-el-Mukaddus, built by Zohak. In the Pahlavi language it was called +Kunuk-duz-mokt. The tower of this edifice was so lofty that it might be +seen at the distance of many leagues, and within that tower Zohak had +formed a talisman of miraculous virtues. Feridun soon overthrew this +talisman, and destroyed or vanquished successively with his mace all the +enchanted monsters and hideous shapes which appeared before him. He +captured the whole of the building, and released all the black-eyed +damsels who were secluded there, and among them Shahrnaz and Arnawaz, +the two sisters of Jemshid before alluded to. He then ascended the empty +throne of Zohak, which had been guarded by the talisman, and the Demons +under his command; and when he heard that the tyrant had gone with an +immense army toward Ind, in quest of his new enemy, and had left his +treasury with only a small force at the seat of his government, he +rejoiced, and appropriated the throne and the treasure to himself. + + From their dark solitudes the Youth brought forth + The black-haired damsels, lovely as the sun, + And Jemshid's sisters, long imprisoned there; + And gladly did the inmates of that harem + Pour out their gratitude on being freed + From that terrific monster; thanks to Heaven + Devoutly they expressed, and ardent joy. + +Feridun inquired of Arnawaz why Zohak had chosen the route towards Ind; +and she replied, "For two reasons: the first is, he expects to encounter +thee in that quarter; and if he fails, he will subdue the whole country, +which is the seat of sorcery, and thus obtain possession of a renowned +magician who can charm thee into his power. + + "He wishes to secure within his grasp + That region of enchantment, Hindustan, + And then obtain relief from what he feels; + For night and day the terror of thy name + Oppresses him, his heart is all on fire, + And life is torture to him." + + + +FERIDUN + +Kandru, the keeper of the talisman, having effected his escape, fled to +Zohak, to whom he gave intelligence of the release of his women, the +destruction of the talisman, and the conquest of his empire. + + "The sign of retribution has appeared, + For sorrow is the fruit of evil deeds." + Thus Kandru spoke: "Three warriors have advanced + Upon thy kingdom from a distant land, + One of them young, and from his air and mien + He seems to me of the Kaianian race. + He came, and boldly seized the splendid throne, + And all thy spells, and sorceries, and magic, + Were instantly dissolved by higher power, + And all who dwelt within thy palace walls, + Demon or man, all utterly destroyed, + Their severed heads cast weltering on the ground." + Then was Zohak confounded, and he shrunk + Within himself with terror, thinking now + His doom was sealed; but anxious to appear + In presence of his army, gay and cheerful, + Lest they too should despair, he dressed himself + In rich attire, and with a pleasant look, + Said carelessly: "Perhaps some gamesome guest + Hath in his sport committed this strange act." + "A guest, indeed!" Kandru replied, "a guest, + In playful mood to batter down thy palace! + If he had been thy guest, why with his mace, + Cow-headed, has he done such violence? + Why did he penetrate thy secret chambers, + And bring to light the beautiful Shahrnaz, + And red-lipped Arnawaz?" At this, Zohak + Trembled with wrath--the words were death to him; + And sternly thus he spoke: "What hast thou fled + Through fear, betraying thy important trust? + No longer shalt thou share my confidence, + No longer share my bounty and regard." + To this the keeper tauntingly replied: + "Thy kingdom is overthrown, and nothing now + Remains for thee to give me; thou art lost." + +The tyrant immediately turned towards his army, with the intention of +making a strong effort to regain his throne, but he found that as soon +as the soldiers and the people were made acquainted with the proceedings +and success of Feridun, rebellion arose among them, and shuddering with +horror at the cruelty exercised by him in providing food for the +accursed serpents, they preferred embracing the cause of the new king. +Zohak, seeing that he had lost the affections of the army, and that +universal revolt was the consequence, adopted another course, and +endeavored alone to be revenged upon his enemy. He proceeded on his +journey, and arriving by night at the camp of Feridun, hoped to find him +off his guard and put him to death. He ascended a high place, himself +unobserved, from which he saw Feridun sitting engaged in soft dalliance +with the lovely Shahrnaz. The fire of jealousy and revenge now consumed +him more fiercely, and he was attempting to effect his purpose, when +Feridun was roused by the noise, and starting up struck a furious blow +with his cow-headed mace upon the temples of Zohak, which crushed the +bone, and he was on the point of giving him another; but a supernatural +voice whispered in his ear, + + "Slay him not now--his time is not yet come, + His punishment must be prolonged awhile; + And as he cannot now survive the wound, + Bind him with heavy chains--convey him straight + Upon the mountain, there within a cave, + Deep, dark, and horrible--with none to soothe + His sufferings, let the murderer lingering die." + + The work of heaven performing, Feridun + First purified the world from sin and crime. + + Yet Feridun was not an angel, nor + Composed of musk or ambergris. By justice + And generosity he gained his fame. + Do thou but exercise these princely virtues, + And thou wilt be renowned as Feridun. + + + +FERIDUN AND HIS THREE SONS + +Feridun had three sons. One of them was named Silim, the other Tur, and +the third Irij. When they had grown up, he called before him a learned +person named Chundel, and said to him: "Go thou in quest of three +daughters, born of the same father and mother, and adorned with every +grace and accomplishment, that I may have my three sons married into one +family." Chundel departed accordingly, and travelled through many +countries in fruitless search, till he came to the King of Yemen, whose +name was Saru, and found that he had three daughters of the character +and qualifications required. He therefore delivered Feridun's +proposition to him, to which the King of Yemen agreed. Then Feridun sent +his three sons to Yemen, and they married the three daughters of the +king, who gave them splendid dowries in treasure and jewels. It is +related that Feridun afterwards divided his empire among his sons. To +Silim he gave Rum and Khawer; to Tur, Turan;[2] and to Irij, Iran or +Persia. The sons then repaired to their respective kingdoms. Persia was +a beautiful country, and the garden of spring, full of freshness and +perfume; Turan, on the contrary, was less cultivated, and the scene of +perpetual broils and insurrections. The elder brother, Silim, was +therefore discontented with the unfair partition of the empire, and +displeased with his father. He sent to Tur, saying: "Our father has +given to Irij the most delightful and productive kingdom, and to us, two +wild uncultivated regions. I am the eldest son, and I am not satisfied +with this distribution--what sayest thou?" When this message was +communicated to Tur, he fully concurred in the sentiments expressed by +his brother, and determined to unite with him in any undertaking that +might promise the accomplishment of their purpose, which was to deprive +Irij of his dominions. But he thought it would be most expedient, in the +first instance, to make their father acquainted with the dissatisfaction +he had produced; "for," he thought to himself, "in a new distribution, +he may assign Persia to me." Then he wrote to Silim, advising that a +messenger should be sent at once to Feridun to inform him of their +dissatisfaction, and bring back a reply. The same messenger was +dispatched by Silim accordingly on that mission, + + Charged with unfilial language. "Give," he said, + "This stripling Irij a more humble portion, + Or we will, from the mountains of Turan, + From Rum, and Chin, bring overwhelming troops, + Inured to war, and shower disgrace and ruin + On him and Persia." + +When the messenger arrived at the court of Feridun, and had obtained +permission to appear in the presence of the king, he kissed the ground +respectfully, and by command related the purpose of his journey. Feridun +was surprised and displeased, and said, in reply: + + "Have I done wrong, done evil? None, but good. + I gave ye kingdoms, that was not a crime; + But if ye fear not me, at least fear God. + My ebbing life approaches to an end, + And the possessions of this fleeting world + Will soon pass from me. I am grown too old + To have my passions roused by this rebellion; + All I can do is, with paternal love, + To counsel peace. Be with your lot contented; + Seek not unnatural strife, but cherish peace." + +After the departure of the messenger Feridun called Irij before him, and +said: "Thy two brothers, who are older than thou art, have confederated +together and threaten to bring a large army against thee for the purpose +of seizing thy kingdom, and putting thee to death. I have received this +information from a messenger, who further says, that if I take thy part +they will also wage war upon me." And after Irij had declared that in +this extremity he was anxious to do whatever his father might advise, +Feridun continued: "My son, thou art unable to resist the invasion of +even one brother; it will, therefore, be impossible for thee to oppose +both. I am now aged and infirm, and my only wish is to pass the +remainder of my days in retirement and repose. Better, then, will it be +for thee to pursue the path of peace and friendship, and like me throw +away all desire for dominion. + + "For if the sword of anger is unsheathed, + And war comes on, thy head will soon be freed + From all the cares of government and life. + There is no cause for thee to quit the world, + The path of peace and amity is thine." + +Irij agreed with his father, and declared that he would willingly +sacrifice his throne and diadem rather than go to war with his brothers. + + "Look at the Heavens, how they roll on; + And look at man, how soon he's gone. + A breath of wind, and then no more; + A world like this, should man deplore?" + +With these sentiments Irij determined to repair immediately to his +brothers, and place his kingdom at their disposal, hoping by this means +to merit their favor and affection, and he said: + + "I feel no resentment, I seek not for strife, + I wish not for thrones and the glories of life; + What is glory to man?--an illusion, a cheat; + What did it for Jemshid, the world at his feet? + When I go to my brothers their anger may cease, + Though vengeance were fitter than offers of peace." + +Feridun observed to him: "It is well that thy desire is for +reconciliation, as thy brothers are preparing for war." He then wrote a +letter to his sons, in which he said: "Your younger brother considers +your friendship and esteem of more consequence to him than his crown and +throne. He has banished from his heart every feeling of resentment +against you; do you, in the like manner, cast away hostility from your +hearts against him. Be kind to him, for it is incumbent upon the eldest +born to be indulgent and affectionate to their younger brothers. +Although your consideration for my happiness has passed away, I still +wish to please you." As soon as the letter was finished, Irij mounted +his horse, and set off on his journey, accompanied by several of his +friends, but not in such a manner, and with such an equipment, as might +betray his rank or character. When he arrived with his attendants in +Turkistan, he found that the armies of his two brothers were ready to +march against him. Silim and Tur, being apprised of the approach of +Irij, went out of the city, according to ancient usage, to meet the +deputation which was conveying to them their father's letter. Irij was +kindly received by them, and accommodated in the royal residence. + +It is said that Irij was in person extremely prepossessing, and that +when the troops first beheld him, they exclaimed: "He is indeed fit to +be a king!" In every place all eyes were fixed upon him, and wherever he +moved he was followed and surrounded by the admiring army and crowds of +people. + + In numerous groups the soldiers met, and blessed + The name of Irij, saying in their hearts, + This is the man to lead an armed host, + And worthy of the diadem and throne. + +The courtiers of the two brothers, alarmed by these demonstrations of +attachment to Irij continually before their eyes, represented to Silim +and Tur that the army was disaffected towards them, and that Irij alone +was considered deserving of the supreme authority. This intimation +exasperated the malignant spirit of the two brothers: for although at +first determined to put Irij to death, his youth and prepossessing +appearance had in some degree subdued their animosity. They were +therefore pleased with the intelligence, because it afforded a new and +powerful reason for getting rid of him. "Look at our troops," said Silim +to Tur, "how they assemble in circles together, and betray their +admiration of him. I fear they will never march against Persia. Indeed +it is not improbable that even the kingdom of Turan may fall into his +hands, since the hearts of our soldiers have become so attached to him. + + "No time is this to deviate from our course, + We must rush on; our armies plainly show + Their love for Irij, and if we should fail + To root up from its place this flourishing tree, + Our cause is lost for ever." + +Again, Silim said to Tur: "Thou must put Irij to death, and then his +kingdom will be thine." Tur readily undertook to commit that crime, and, +on the following day, at an interview with Irij, he said to him: "Why +didst thou consent to be the ruler of Persia, and fail in showing a +proper regard for the interests of thy elder brothers? Whilst our barren +kingdoms are constantly in a state of warfare with the Turks, thou art +enjoying peace and tranquillity upon the throne of a fruitful country? +Must we, thy elder brothers, remain thus under thy commands, and in +subordinate stations? + + "Must thou have gold and treasure, + And thy heart be wrapt in pleasure, + Whilst we, thy elder born, + Of our heritage are shorn? + Must the youngest still be nursed, + And the elder branches cursed? + And condemned, by stern command, + To a wild and sterile land?" + +When Irij heard these words from Tur, he immediately replied, saying: + + "I only seek tranquillity and peace; + I look not on the crown of sovereignty. + Nor seek a name among the Persian host; + And though the throne and diadem are mine, + I here renounce them, satisfied to lead + A private life. For what hath ever been + The end of earthly power and pomp, but darkness? + I seek not to contend against my brothers; + Why should I grieve their hearts, or give distress + To any human being? I am young, + And Heaven forbid that I should prove unkind!" + +Notwithstanding, however, these declarations of submission, and repeated +assurances of his resolution to resign the monarchy of Persia, Tur would +not believe one word. In a moment he sprung up, and furiously seizing +the golden chair from which he had just risen, struck a violent blow +with it on the head of Irij, calling aloud, "Bind him, bind him!" The +youth, struggling on the ground, exclaimed: "O, think of thy father, and +pity me! Have compassion on thy own soul! I came for thy protection, +therefore do not take my life: if thou dost, my blood will call out for +vengeance to the Almighty. I ask only for peace and retirement. Think of +my father, and pity me! + + "Wouldst thou, with life endowed, take life away? + Torture not the poor ant, which drags the grain + Along the dust; it has a life, and life + Is sweet and precious. Did the innocent ant + Offend thee ever? Cruel must he be + Who would destroy a living thing so harmless! + And wilt thou, reckless, shed thy brother's blood, + And agonize the feelings of a father? + Pause, and avoid the wrath of righteous Heaven!" + +But Tur was not to be softened by the supplications of his brother. +Without giving any reply, he drew his dagger, and instantly dissevered +the head of the youth from his body. + + With musk and ambergris he first embalmed + The head of Irij, then to his old father + Dispatched the present with these cruel words: + "Here is the head of thy beloved son, + Thy darling favourite, dress it with a crown + As thou wert wont; and mark the goodly fruit + Thou hast produced. Adorn thy ivory throne, + In all its splendour, for this worthy head, + And place it in full majesty before thee!" + +In the meantime, Feridun had prepared a magnificent reception for his +son. The period of his return had arrived, and he was in anxious +expectation of seeing him, when suddenly he received intelligence that +Irij had been put to death by his brothers. The mournful spectacle soon +reached his father's house. + + A scream of agony burst from his heart, + As wildly in his arms he clasped the face + Of his poor slaughtered son; then down he sank + Senseless upon the earth. The soldiers round + Bemoaned the sad catastrophe, and rent + Their garments in their grief. The souls of all + Were filled with gloom, their eyes with flowing tears, + For hope had promised a far different scene; + A day of heart-felt mirth and joyfulness, + When Irij to his father's house returned. + +After the extreme agitation of Feridun had subsided, he directed all his +people to wear black apparel, in honor of the murdered youth, and all +his drums and banners to be torn to pieces. They say that subsequent to +this dreadful calamity he always wore black clothes. The head of Irij +was buried in a favorite garden, where he had been accustomed to hold +weekly a rural entertainment. Feridun, in performing the last ceremony, +pressed it to his bosom, and with streaming eyes exclaimed: + + "O Heaven, look down upon my murdered boy; + His severed head before me, but his body + Torn by those hungry wolves! O grant my prayer, + That I may see, before I die, the seed + Of Irij hurl just vengeance on the heads + Of his assassins; hear, O hear my prayer." + --Thus he in sorrow for his favourite son + Obscured the light which might have sparkled still, + Withering the jasmine flower of happy days; + So that his pale existence looked like death. + + + +MINUCHIHR + +Feridun continued to cherish with the fondest affection the memory of +his murdered son, and still looked forward with anxiety to the +anticipated hour of retribution. He fervently hoped that a son might be +born to take vengeance for his father's death. But it so happened that +Mahafrid, the wife of Irij, gave birth to a daughter. When this daughter +grew up, Feridun gave her in marriage to Pishung, and from that union an +heir was born who in form and feature resembled Irij and Feridun. He was +called Minuchihr, and great rejoicings took place on the occasion of his +birth. + + The old man's lips, with smiles apart, + Bespoke the gladness of his heart. + And in his arms he took the boy + The harbinger of future joy; + Delighted that indulgent Heaven + To his fond hopes this pledge had given, + It seemed as if, to bless his reign, + Irij had come to life again. + +The child was nourished with great tenderness during his infancy, and +when he grew up he was sedulously instructed in every art necessary to +form the character, and acquire the accomplishments of a warrior. +Feridun was accustomed to place him on the throne, and decorate his +brows with the crown of sovereignty; and the soldiers enthusiastically +acknowledged him as their king, urging him to rouse himself and take +vengeance of his enemies for the murder of his grandfather. Having +opened his treasury, Feridun distributed abundance of gold among the +people, so that Minuchihr was in a short time enabled to embody an +immense army, by whom he was looked upon with attachment and admiration. + +When Silim and Tur were informed of the preparations that were making +against them, that Minuchihr, having grown to manhood, was distinguished +for his valor and intrepidity, and that multitudes flocked to his +standard with the intention of forwarding his purpose of revenge, they +were seized with inexpressible terror, and anticipated an immediate +invasion of their kingdoms. Thus alarmed, they counselled together upon +the course it would be wisest to adopt. + + "Should he advance, his cause is just, + And blood will mingle with the dust, + But heaven forbid our power should be + O'erwhelmed to give him victory; + Though strong his arm, and wild his ire, + And vengeance keen his heart inspire." + +They determined, at length, to pursue pacific measures, and endeavor by +splendid presents and conciliatory language to regain the good-will of +Feridun. The elephants were immediately loaded with treasure, a crown of +gold, and other articles of value, and a messenger was dispatched, +charged with an acknowledgment of guilt and abundant expressions of +repentance. "It was Iblis," they said, "who led us astray, and our +destiny has been such that we are in every way criminal. But thou art +the ocean of mercy; pardon our offences. Though manifold, they were +involuntary, and forgiveness will cleanse our hearts and restore us to +ourselves. Let our tears wash away the faults we have committed. To +Minuchihr and to thyself we offer obedience and fealty, and we wait your +commands, being but the dust of your feet." + +When the messenger arrived at the court of Feridun he first delivered +the magnificent presents, and the king, having placed Minuchihr on a +golden chair by his side, observed to him, "These presents are to thee a +prosperous and blessed omen--they show that thy enemy is afraid of +thee." Then the messenger was permitted to communicate the object of his +mission. + + He spoke with studied phrase, intent to hide, + Or mitigate the horror of their crime; + And with excuses plausible and bland + His speech was dressed. The brothers, he observed, + Desired to see their kinsman Minuchihr, + And with the costliest gems they sought to pay + The price of kindred blood unjustly shed-- + And they would willingly to him resign + Their kingdoms for the sake of peace and friendship. + + The monarch marked him scornfully, and said: + "Canst thou conceal the sun? It is in vain + Truth to disguise with words of shallow meaning. + Now hear my answer. Ask thy cruel masters, + Who talk of their affection for the prince, + Where lies the body of the gentle Irij? + Him they have slain, the fierce, unnatural brothers, + And now they thirst to gain another victim. + They long to see the face of Minuchihr! + Yes, and they shall, surrounded by his soldiers, + And clad in steel, and they shall feel the edge + Of life-destroying swords. Yes, they shall see him!" + +After uttering this indignant speech, Feridun showed to the messenger +his great warriors, one by one. He showed him Kavah and his two sons, +Shahpur, and Shirueh, and Karun, and Sam,[3] and Nariman, and other +chiefs--all of admirable courage and valor in war--and thus resumed: + + "Hence with your presents, hence, away, + Can gold or gems turn night to day? + Must kingly heads be bought and sold, + And shall I barter blood for gold? + Shall gold a father's heart entice, + Blood to redeem beyond all price? + Hence, hence with treachery; I have heard + Their glozing falsehoods, every word; + But human feelings guide my will, + And keep my honour sacred still. + True is the oracle we read: + 'Those who have sown oppression's seed + Reap bitter fruit; their souls, perplext, + Joy not in this world or the next.' + The brothers of my murdered boy, + Who could a father's hopes destroy, + An equal punishment will reap, + And lasting vengeance o'er them sweep. + They rooted up my favourite tree, + But yet a branch remains to me. + Now the young lion comes apace, + The glory of his glorious race; + He comes apace, to punish guilt, + Where brother's blood was basely spilt; + And blood alone for blood must pay; + Hence with your gold, depart, away!" + +When the messenger heard these reproaches, mingled with poison, he +immediately took leave, and trembling with fear, returned to Silim and +Tur with the utmost speed. He described to them in strong and alarming +terms the appearance and character of Minuchihr, and his warriors; of +that noble youth who with frowning eyebrows was only anxious for battle. +He then communicated to them in what manner he had been received, and +repeated the denunciations of Feridun, at which the brothers were +exceedingly grieved and disappointed. But Silim said to Tur: + + "Let us be first upon the field, before + He marshals his array. It follows not, + That he should be a hero bold and valiant, + Because he is descended from the brave; + But it becomes us well to try our power,-- + For speed, in war, is better than delay." + +In this spirit the two brothers rapidly collected from both their +kingdoms a large army, and proceeded towards Iran. On hearing of their +progress, Feridun said: "This is well--they come of themselves. The +forest game surrenders itself voluntarily at the foot of the sportsman." +Then he commanded his army to wait quietly till they arrived; for skill +and patience, he observed, will draw the lion's head into your toils. + +As soon as the enemy had approached within a short distance, Minuchihr +solicited Feridun to commence the engagement--and the king having +summoned his chief warriors before him, appointed them all, one by one, +to their proper places. + + The warriors of renown assembled straight + With ponderous clubs; each like a lion fierce, + Girded his loins impatient. In their front + The sacred banner of the blacksmith waved; + Bright scimitars were brandished in the air; + Beneath them pranced their steeds, all armed for fight, + And so incased in iron were the chiefs + From top to toe, their eyes were only seen. + + When Karun drew his hundred thousand troops + Upon the field, the battle-word was given, + And Minuchihr was, like the cypress tall, + Engaged along the centre of the hosts; + And like the moon he shone, amid the groups + Of congregated clouds, or as the sun + Glittering upon the mountain of Alberz. + The squadrons in advance Kabad commanded, + Garshasp the left, and Sam upon the right. + + The shedders of a brother's blood had now + Brought their innumerous legions to the strife, + And formed them in magnificent array: + The picket guards were almost thrown together, + When Tur sprung forward, and with sharp reproach, + And haughty gesture, thus addressed Kabad: + "Ask this new king, this Minuchihr, since Heaven + To Irij gave a daughter, who on him + Bestowed the mail, the battle-axe, and sword?" + To this insulting speech, Kabad replied: + "The message shall be given, and I will bring + The answer, too. Ye know what ye have done; + Have ye not murdered him who, trusting, sought + Protection from ye? All mankind for this + Must curse your memory till the day of doom; + If savage monsters were to fly your presence, + It would not be surprising. Those who die + In this most righteous cause will go to Heaven, + With all their sins forgotten!" Then Kabad + Went to the king, and told the speech of Tur: + A smile played o'er the cheek of Minuchihr + As thus he spoke: "A boaster he must be, + Or a vain fool, for when engaged in battle, + Vigour of arm and the enduring soul, + Will best be proved. I ask but for revenge-- + Vengeance for Irij slain. Meanwhile, return; + We shall not fight to-day." + + He too retired, + And in his tent upon the sandy plain, + Ordered the festive board to be prepared, + And wine and music whiled the hours away. + +When morning dawned the battle commenced, and multitudes were slain on +both sides. + + The spacious plain became a sea of blood; + It seemed as if the earth was covered o'er + With crimson tulips; slippery was the ground, + And all in dire confusion. + +The army of Minuchihr was victorious, owing to the bravery and skill of +the commander. But Heaven was in his favor. + +In the evening Silim and Tur consulted together, and came to the +resolution of effecting a formidable night attack on the enemy. The +spies of Minuchihr, however, obtained information of this intention, and +communicated the secret to the king. Minuchihr immediately placed the +army in charge of Karun, and took himself thirty thousand men to wait in +ambuscade for the enemy, and frustrate his views. Tur advanced with a +hundred thousand men; but as he advanced, he found every one on the +alert, and aware of his approach. He had gone too far to retreat in the +dark without fighting, and therefore began a vigorous conflict. +Minuchihr sprung up from his ambuscade, and with his thirty thousand men +rushed upon the centre of the enemy's troops, and in the end encountered +Tur. The struggle was not long. Minuchihr dexterously using his javelin, +hurled him from his saddle precipitately to the ground, and then with +his dagger severed the head from his body. The body he left to be +devoured by the beasts of the field, and the head he sent as a trophy to +Feridun; after which, he proceeded in search of Silim. + +The army of the confederates, however, having suffered such a signal +defeat, Silim thought it prudent to fall back and take refuge in a fort. +But Minuchihr went in pursuit, and besieged the castle. One day a +warrior named Kaku made a sally out of the fort, and approaching the +centre of the besieging army, threw a javelin at Minuchihr, which, +however, fell harmless before it reached its aim. Then Minuchihr seized +the enemy by the girdle, raised him up in air, and flung him from his +saddle to the ground. + + He grasped the foe-man by the girth, + And thundering drove him to the earth; + By wound of spear, and gory brand, + He died upon the burning sand. + +The siege was continued for some time with the view of weakening the +power of Silim; at last Minuchihr sent a message to him, saying: "Let +the battle be decided between us. Quit the fort, and boldly meet me +here, that it may be seen to whom God gives the victory." Silim could +not, without disgrace, refuse this challenge: he descended from the +fort, and met Minuchihr. A desperate conflict ensued, and he was slain +on the spot. Minuchihr's keen sword severed the royal head from the +body, and thus quickly ended the career of Silim. After that, the whole +of the enemy's troops were defeated and put to flight in every +direction. + +The leading warriors of the routed army now sought protection from +Minuchihr, who immediately complied with their solicitation, and by +their influence all the forces of Silim and Tur united under him. To +each he gave rank according to his merits. After the victory, Minuchihr +hastened to pay his respects to Feridun, who received him with praises +and thanksgivings, and the customary honors. Returning from the battle, +Feridun met him on foot; and the moment Minuchihr beheld the venerable +monarch, he alighted and kissed the ground. They then, seated in the +palace together, congratulated themselves on the success of their arms. +In a short time after, the end of Feridun approached; when recommending +Minuchihr to the care of Sam and Nariman, he said: "My hour of departure +has arrived, and I place the prince under your protection." He then +directed Minuchihr to be seated on the throne; + + And put himself the crown upon his head, + And stored his mind with counsel good and wise. + +Upon the death of Feridun, Minuchihr accordingly succeeded to the +government of the empire, and continued to observe strictly all the laws +and regulations of his great grandfather. He commanded his subjects to +be constant in the worship of God. + + The army and the people gave him praise, + Prayed for his happiness and length of days; + Our hearts, they said, are ever bound to thee; + Our hearts, inspired by love and loyalty. + + + +ZAL, THE SON OF SAM + +According to the traditionary histories from which Firdusi has derived +his legends, the warrior Sam had a son born to him whose hair was +perfectly white. On his birth the nurse went to Sam and told him that +God had blessed him with a wonderful child, without a single blemish, +excepting that his hair was white; but when Sam saw him he was grieved: + + His hair was white as goose's wing, + His cheek was like the rose of spring + His form was straight as cypress tree-- + But when the sire was brought to see + That child with hair so silvery white, + His heart revolted at the sight. + +His mother gave him the name of Zal and the people said to Sam, "This is +an ominous event, and will be to thee productive of nothing but +calamity; it would be better if thou couldst remove him out of sight. + + "No human being of this earth + Could give to such a monster birth; + He must be of the Demon race, + Though human still in form and face. + If not a Demon, he, at least, + Appears a party-coloured beast." + +When Sam was made acquainted with these reproaches and sneers of the +people, he determined, though with a sorrowful heart, to take him up to +the mountain Alberz, and abandon him there to be destroyed by beasts of +prey. Alberz was the abode of the Simurgh or Griffin,[4] and, whilst +flying about in quest of food for his hungry young ones, that surprising +animal discovered the child lying alone upon the hard rock, crying and +sucking its fingers. The Simurgh, however, felt no inclination to devour +him, but compassionately took him up in the air, and conveyed him to his +own habitation. + + He who is blest with Heaven's grace + Will never want a dwelling-place + And he who bears the curse of Fate + Can never change his wretched state. + A voice, not earthly, thus addressed + The Simurgh in his mountain nest-- + "To thee this mortal I resign, + Protected by the power divine; + Let him thy fostering kindness share, + Nourish him with paternal care; + For from his loins, in time, will spring + The champion of the world, and bring + Honour on earth, and to thy name; + The heir of everlasting fame." + +The young ones were also kind and affectionate to the infant, which was +thus nourished and protected by the Simurgh for several years. + + + +THE DREAM OF SAM + +It is said that one night, after melancholy musings and reflecting on +the miseries of this life, Sam was visited by a dream, and when the +particulars of it were communicated to the interpreters of mysterious +warnings and omens, they declared that Zal was certainly still alive, +although he had been long exposed on Alberz, and left there to be torn +to pieces by wild animals. Upon this interpretation being given, the +natural feelings of the father returned, and he sent his people to the +mountain in search of Zal, but without success. On another night Sam +dreamt a second time, when he beheld a young man of a beautiful +countenance at the head of an immense army, with a banner flying before +him, and a Mubid on his left hand. One of them addressed Sam, and +reproached him thus:-- + + Unfeeling mortal, hast thou from thy eyes + Washed out all sense of shame? Dost thou believe + That to have silvery tresses is a crime? + If so, thy head is covered with white hair; + And were not both spontaneous gifts from Heaven? + Although the boy was hateful to thy sight, + The grace of God has been bestowed upon him; + And what is human tenderness and love + To Heaven's protection? Thou to him wert cruel, + But Heaven has blest him, shielding him from harm. + +Sam screamed aloud in his sleep, and awoke greatly terrified. Without +delay he went himself to Alberz, and ascended the mountain, and wept and +prayed before the throne of the Almighty, saying:-- + + "If that forsaken child be truly mine, + And not the progeny of Demon fell, + O pity me! forgive the wicked deed, + And to my eyes, my injured son restore." + +His prayer was accepted. The Simurgh, hearing the lamentations of Sam +among his people, knew that he had come in quest of his son, and thus +said to Zal:--"I have fed and protected thee like a kind nurse, and I +have given thee the name of Dustan, like a father. Sam, the warrior, has +just come upon the mountain in search of his child, and I must restore +thee to him, and we must part." Zal wept when he heard of this +unexpected separation, and in strong terms expressed his gratitude to +his benefactor; for the Wonderful Bird had not omitted to teach him the +language of the country, and to cultivate his understanding, removed as +they were to such a distance from the haunts of mankind. The Simurgh +soothed him by assuring him that he was not going to abandon him to +misfortune, but to increase his prosperity; and, as a striking proof of +affection, gave him a feather from his own wing, with these +instructions:--"Whenever thou art involved in difficulty or danger, put +this feather on the fire, and I will instantly appear to thee to ensure +thy safety. Never cease to remember me. + + "I have watched thee with fondness by day and by night, + And supplied all thy wants with a father's delight; + O forget not thy nurse--still be faithful to me-- + And my heart will be ever devoted to thee." + +Zal immediately replied in a strain of gratitude and admiration; and +then the Simurgh conveyed him to Sam, and said to him: "Receive thy +son--he is of wonderful promise, and will be worthy of the throne and +the diadem." + + The soul of Sam rejoiced to hear + Applause so sweet to a parent's ear; + And blessed them both in thought and word, + The lovely boy, and the Wondrous Bird. + +He also declared to Zal that he was ashamed of the crime of which he had +been guilty, and that he would endeavor to obliterate the recollection +of the past by treating him in future with the utmost respect and honor. + +When Minuchihr heard from Zabul of these things, and of Sam's return, he +was exceedingly pleased, and ordered his son, Nauder, with a splendid +istakbal,[5] to meet the father and son on their approach to the city. +They were surrounded by warriors and great men, and Sam embraced the +first moment to introduce Zal to the king. + + Zal humbly kissed the earth before the king, + And from the hands of Minuchihr received + A golden mace and helm. Then those who knew + The stars and planetary signs, were told + To calculate the stripling's destiny; + And all proclaimed him of exalted fortune, + That he would be prodigious in his might, + Outshining every warrior of the age. + +Delighted with this information, Minuchihr, seated upon his throne, with +Karun on one side and Sam on the other, presented Zal with Arabian +horses, and armor, and gold, and splendid garments, and appointed Sam to +the government of Kabul, Zabul, and Ind. Zal accompanied his father on +his return; and when they arrived at Zabulistan, the most renowned +instructors in every art and science were collected together to +cultivate and enrich his young mind. + +In the meantime Sam was commanded by the king to invade and subdue the +Demon provinces of Karugsar and Mazinderan;[6] and Zal was in +consequence left by his father in charge of Zabulistan. The young +nursling of the Simurgh is said to have performed the duties of +sovereignty with admirable wisdom and discretion, during the absence of +his father. He did not pass his time in idle exercises, but with zealous +delight in the society of accomplished and learned men, for the purpose +of becoming familiar with every species of knowledge and acquirement. +The city of Zabul, however, as a constant residence, did not entirely +satisfy him, and he wished to see more of the world; he therefore +visited several other places, and proceeded as far as Kabul, where he +pitched his tents, and remained for some time. + + + +RUDABEH + +The chief of Kabul was descended from the family of Zohak. He was named +Mihrab, and to secure the safety of his state, paid annual tribute to +Sam. Mihrab, on the arrival of Zal, went out of the city to see him, and +was hospitably entertained by the young hero, who soon discovered that +he had a daughter of wonderful attractions. + + Her name Rudabeh; screened from public view, + Her countenance is brilliant as the sun; + From head to foot her lovely form is fair + As polished ivory. Like the spring, her cheek + Presents a radiant bloom,--in stature tall, + And o'er her silvery brightness, richly flow + Dark musky ringlets clustering to her feet. + She blushes like the rich pomegranate flower; + Her eyes are soft and sweet as the narcissus, + Her lashes from the raven's jetty plume + Have stolen their blackness, and her brows are bent + Like archer's bow. Ask ye to see the moon? + Look at her face. Seek ye for musky fragrance? + She is all sweetness. Her long fingers seem + Pencils of silver, and so beautiful + Her presence, that she breathes of Heaven and love. + +Such was the description of Rudabeh, which inspired the heart of Zal +with the most violent affection, and imagination added to her charms. + +Mihrab again waited on Zal, who received him graciously, and asked him +in what manner he could promote his wishes. Mihrab said that he only +desired him to become his guest at a banquet he intended to invite him +to; but Zal thought proper to refuse, because he well knew, if he +accepted an invitation of the kind from a relation of Zohak, that his +father Sam and the King of Persia would be offended. Mihrab returned to +Kabul disappointed, and having gone into his harem, his wife, Sindokht, +inquired after the stranger from Zabul, the white-headed son of Sam. She +wished to know what he was like, in form and feature, and what account +he gave of his sojourn with the Simurgh. Mihrab described him in the +warmest terms of admiration--he was valiant, he said, accomplished and +handsome, with no other defect than that of white hair. And so boundless +was his praise, that Rudabeh, who was present, drank every word with +avidity, and felt her own heart warmed into admiration and love. Full of +emotion, she afterwards said privately to her attendants: + + "To you alone the secret of my heart + I now unfold; to you alone confess + The deep sensations of my captive soul. + I love, I love; all day and night of him + I think alone--I see him in my dreams-- + You only know my secret--aid me now, + And soothe the sorrows of my bursting heart." + +The attendants were startled with this confession and entreaty, and +ventured to remonstrate against so preposterous an attachment. + + "What! hast thou lost all sense of shame, + All value for thy honored name! + That thou, in loveliness supreme, + Of every tongue the constant theme, + Should choose, and on another's word. + The nursling of a Mountain Bird! + A being never seen before, + Which human mother never bore! + And can the hoary locks of age, + A youthful heart like thine engage? + Must thy enchanting form be prest + To such a dubious monster's breast? + And all thy beauty's rich array, + Thy peerless charms be thrown away?" + +This violent remonstrance was more calculated to rouse the indignation +of Rudabeh than to induce her to change her mind. It did so. But she +subdued her resentment, and again dwelt upon the ardor of her passion. + + "My attachment is fixed, my election is made, + And when hearts are enchained 'tis in vain to upbraid. + Neither Kizar nor Faghfur I wish to behold, + Nor the monarch of Persia with jewels and gold; + All, all I despise, save the choice of my heart, + And from his beloved image I never can part. + Call him aged, or young, 'tis a fruitless endeavour + To uproot a desire I must cherish for ever; + Call him old, call him young, who can passion control? + Ever present, and loved, he entrances my soul. + 'Tis for him I exist--him I worship alone, + And my heart it must bleed till I call him my own." + +As soon as the attendants found that Rudabeh's attachment was deeply +fixed, and not to be removed, they changed their purpose, and became +obedient to her wishes, anxious to pursue any measure that might bring +Zal and their mistress together. Rudabeh was delighted with this proof +of their regard. + +It was spring-time, and the attendants repaired towards the +halting-place of Zal, in the neighborhood of the city. Their occupation +seemed to be gathering roses along the romantic banks of a pellucid +streamlet, and when they purposely strayed opposite the tent of Zal, he +observed them, and asked his friends--why they presumed to gather roses +in his garden. He was told that they were damsels sent by the moon of +Kabulistan from the palace of Mihrab to gather roses, and upon hearing +this his heart was touched with emotion. He rose up and rambled about +for amusement, keeping the direction of the river, followed by a servant +with a bow. He was not far from the damsels, when a bird sprung up from +the water, which he shot, upon the wing, with an arrow. The bird +happened to fall near the rose-gatherers, and Zal ordered his servant to +bring it to him. The attendants of Rudabeh lost not the opportunity, as +he approached them, to inquire who the archer was. "Know ye not," +answered the servant, "that this is Nim-ruz, the son of Sam, and also +called Dustan, the greatest warrior ever known." At this the damsels +smiled, and said that they too belonged to a person of distinction--and +not of inferior worth--to a star in the palace of Mihrab. "We have come +from Kabul to the King of Zabulistan, and should Zal and Rudabeh be of +equal rank, her ruby lips may become acquainted with his, and their +wished-for union be effected." When the servant returned, Zal was +immediately informed of the conversation that had taken place, and in +consequence presents were prepared. + + They who to gather roses came--went back + With precious gems--and honorary robes; + And two bright finger-rings were secretly + Sent to the princess. + +Then did the attendants of Rudabeh exult in the success of their +artifice, and say that the lion had come into their toils. Rudabeh +herself, however, had some fears on the subject. She anxiously sought to +know exactly the personal appearance of Zal, and happily her warmest +hopes were realized by the description she received. But one difficulty +remained--how were they to meet? How was she to see with her own eyes +the man whom her fancy had depicted in such glowing colors? Her +attendants, sufficiently expert at intrigue, soon contrived the means of +gratifying her wishes. There was a beautiful rural retreat in a +sequestered situation, the apartments of which were adorned with +pictures of great men, and ornamented in the most splendid manner. To +this favorite place Rudabeh retired, and most magnificently dressed, +awaiting the coming of Zal, whom her attendants had previously invited +to repair thither as soon as the sun had gone down. The shadows of +evening were falling as he approached, and the enamoured princess thus +addressed him from her balcony:-- + + "May happiness attend thee ever, thou, + Whose lucid features make this gloomy night + Clear as the day; whose perfume scents the breeze; + Thou who, regardless of fatigue, hast come + On foot too, thus to see me--" + +Hearing a sweet voice, he looked up, and beheld a bright face in the +balcony, and he said to the beautiful vision:-- + + "How often have I hoped that Heaven + Would, in some secret place display + Thy charms to me, and thou hast given + My heart the wish of many a day; + For now thy gentle voice I hear, + And now I see thee--speak again! + Speak freely in a willing ear, + And every wish thou hast obtain." + +Not a word was lost upon Rudabeh, and she soon accomplished her object. +Her hair was so luxuriant, and of such a length, that casting it loose +it flowed down from the balcony; and, after fastening the upper part to +a ring, she requested Zal to take hold of the other end and mount up. He +ardently kissed the musky tresses, and by them quickly ascended. + + Then hand in hand within the chambers they + Gracefully passed.--Attractive was the scene, + The walls embellished by the painter's skill, + And every object exquisitely formed, + Sculpture, and architectural ornament, + Fit for a king. Zal with amazement gazed + Upon what art had done, but more he gazed + Upon the witching radiance of his love, + Upon her tulip cheeks, her musky locks, + Breathing the sweetness of a summer garden; + Upon the sparkling brightness of her rings, + Necklace, and bracelets, glittering on her arms. + His mien too was majestic--on his head + He wore a ruby crown, and near his breast + Was seen a belted dagger. Fondly she + With side-long glances marked his noble aspect, + The fine proportions of his graceful limbs, + His strength and beauty. Her enamoured heart + Suffused her cheek with blushes, every glance + Increased the ardent transports of her soul. + So mild was his demeanour, he appeared + A gentle lion toying with his prey. + Long they remained rapt in admiration + Of each other. At length the warrior rose, + And thus addressed her: "It becomes not us + To be forgetful of the path of prudence, + Though love would dictate a more ardent course, + How oft has Sam, my father, counselled me, + Against unseeming thoughts,--unseemly deeds,-- + Always to choose the right, and shun the wrong. + How will he burn with anger when he hears + This new adventure; how will Minuchihr + Indignantly reproach me for this dream! + This waking dream of rapture! but I call + High Heaven to witness what I now declare-- + Whoever may oppose my sacred vows, + I still am thine, affianced thine, for ever." + + And thus Rudabeh: "Thou hast won my heart, + And kings may sue in vain; to thee devoted, + Thou art alone my warrior and my love." + Thus they exclaimed,--then Zal with fond adieus + Softly descended from the balcony, + And hastened to his tent. + +As speedily as possible he assembled together his counsellors and Mubids +to obtain their advice on the present extraordinary occasion, and he +represented to them the sacred importance of encouraging matrimonial +alliances. + + For marriage is a contract sealed by Heaven-- + How happy is the Warrior's lot, amidst + His smiling children; when he dies, his son + Succeeds him, and enjoys his rank and name. + And is it not a glorious thing to say-- + This is the son of Zal, or this of Sam, + The heir of his renowned progenitor? + +He then related to them the story of his love and affection for the +daughter of Mihrab; but the Mubids, well knowing that the chief of Kabul +was of the family of Zohak, the serpent-king, did not approve the union +desired, which excited the indignation of Zal. They, however, +recommended his writing a letter to Sam, who might, if he thought +proper, refer the matter to Minuchihr. The letter was accordingly +written and despatched, and when Sam received it, he immediately +referred the question to his astrologers, to know whether the nuptials, +if solemnized between Zal and Rudabeh, would be prosperous or not. They +foretold that the nuptials would be prosperous, and that the issue would +be a son of wonderful strength and power, the conqueror of the world. +This announcement delighted the heart of the old warrior, and he sent +the messenger back with the assurance of his approbation of the proposed +union, but requested that the subject might be kept concealed till he +returned with his army from the expedition to Karugsar, and was able to +consult with Minuchihr. + +Zal, exulting at his success, communicated the glad tidings to Rudabeh +by their female emissary, who had hitherto carried on successfully the +correspondence between them. But as she was conveying an answer to this +welcome news, and some presents to Zal, Sindokht, the mother of Rudabeh, +detected her, and, examining the contents of the packet, she found +sufficient evidence, she thought, of something wrong. + + "What treachery is this? What have we here! + Sirbund and male attire? Thou, wretch, confess! + Disclose thy secret doings." + +The emissary, however, betrayed nothing; but declared that she was a +dealer in jewels and dresses, and had been only showing her merchandise +to Rudabeh. Sindokht, in extreme agitation of mind, hastened to her +daughter's apartment to ascertain the particulars of this affair, when +Rudabeh at once fearlessly acknowledged her unalterable affection for +Zal, + + "I love him so devotedly, all day, + All night my tears have flowed unceasingly; + And one hair of his head I prize more dearly + Than all the world beside; for him I live; + And we have met, and we have sat together, + And pledged our mutual love with mutual joy + And innocence of heart." + +Rudabeh further informed her of Sam's consent to their nuptials, which +in some degree satisfied the mother. But when Mihrab was made acquainted +with the arrangement, his rage was unbounded, for he dreaded the +resentment of Sam and Minuchihr when the circumstances became fully +known to them. Trembling with indignation he drew his dagger, and would +have instantly rushed to Rudabeh's chamber to destroy her, had not +Sindokht fallen at his feet and restrained him. He insisted, however, on +her being brought before him; and upon his promise not to do her any +harm, Sindokht complied. Rudabeh disdained to take off her ornaments to +appear as an offender and a supplicant, but, proud of her choice, went +into her father's presence, gayly adorned with jewels, and in splendid +apparel. Mihrab received her with surprise. + + "Why all this glittering finery? Is the devil + United to an angel? When a snake + Is met with in Arabia, it is killed!" + +But Rudabeh answered not a word, and was permitted to retire with her +mother. + +When Minuchihr was apprised of the proceedings between Zal and Rudabeh, +he was deeply concerned, anticipating nothing but confusion and ruin to +Persia from the united influence of Zal and Mihrab. Feridun had purified +the world from the abominations of Zohak, and as Mihrab was a descendant +of that merciless tyrant, he feared that some attempt would be made to +resume the enormities of former times; Sam was therefore required to +give his advice on the occasion. + +The conqueror of Karugsar and Mazinderan was received on his return with +cordial rejoicings, and he charmed the king with the story of his +triumphant success. The monarch against whom he had fought was +descended, on the mother's side, from Zohak, and his Demon army was more +numerous than ants, or clouds of locusts, covering mountain and plain. +Sam thus proceeded in his description of the conflict. + + "And when he heard my voice, and saw what deeds + I had performed, approaching me, he threw + His noose; but downward bending I escaped, + And with my bow I showered upon his head + Steel-pointed arrows, piercing through the brain; + Then did I grasp his loins, and from his horse + Cast him upon the ground, deprived of life. + At this, the demons terrified and pale, + Shrunk back, some flying to the mountain wilds, + And others, taken on the battle-field, + Became obedient to the Persian king." + +Minuchihr, gratified by this result of the expedition, appointed Sam to +a new enterprise, which was to destroy Kabul by fire and sword, +especially the house of Mihrab; and that ruler, of the serpent-race, and +all his adherents were to be put to death. Sam, before he took leave to +return to his own government at Zabul, tried to dissuade him from this +violent exercise of revenge, but without making any sensible impression +upon him. + +Meanwhile the vindictive intentions of Minuchihr, which were soon known +at Kabul, produced the greatest alarm and consternation in the family of +Mihrab. Zal now returned to his father, and Sam sent a letter to +Minuchihr, again to deprecate his wrath, and appointed Zal the +messenger. In this letter Sam enumerates his services at Karugsar and +Mazinderan, and especially dwells upon the destruction of a prodigious +dragon. + + "I am thy servant, and twice sixty years + Have seen my prowess. Mounted on my steed, + Wielding my battle-axe, overthrowing heroes, + Who equals Sam, the warrior? I destroyed + The mighty monster, whose devouring jaws + Unpeopled half the land, and spread dismay + From town to town. The world was full of horror, + No bird was seen in air, no beast of prey + In plain or forest; from the stream he drew + The crocodile; the eagle from the sky. + The country had no habitant alive, + And when I found no human being left, + I cast away all fear, and girt my loins, + And in the name of God went boldly forth, + Armed for the strife. I saw him towering rise, + Huge as a mountain, with his hideous hair + Dragging upon the ground; his long black tongue + Shut up the path; his eyes two lakes of blood; + And, seeing me, so horrible his roar, + The earth shook with affright, and from his mouth + A flood of poison issued. Like a lion + Forward I sprang, and in a moment drove + A diamond-pointed arrow through his tongue, + Fixing him to the ground. Another went + Down his deep throat, and dreadfully he writhed. + A third passed through his middle. Then I raised + My battle-axe, cow-headed, and with one + Tremendous blow, dislodged his venomous brain, + And deluged all around with blood and poison. + There lay the monster dead, and soon the world + Regained its peace and comfort. Now I'm old, + The vigour of my youth is past and gone, + And it becomes me to resign my station, + To Zal, my gallant son." + +Mihrab continued in such extreme agitation, that in his own mind he saw +no means of avoiding the threatened desolation of his country but by +putting his wife and daughter to death. Sindokht however had a better +resource, and suggested the expediency of waiting upon Sam herself, to +induce him to forward her own views and the nuptials between Zal and +Rudabeh. To this Mihrab assented, and she proceeded, mounted on a richly +caparisoned horse, to Zabul with most magnificent presents, consisting +of three hundred thousand dinars; ten horses with golden, and thirty +with silver, housings; sixty richly attired damsels, carrying golden +trays of jewels and musk, and camphor, and wine, and sugar; forty pieces +of figured cloth; a hundred milch camels, and a hundred others for +burden; two hundred Indian swords, a golden crown and throne, and four +elephants. Sam was amazed and embarrassed by the arrival of this +splendid array. If he accepted the presents, he would incur the anger of +Minuchihr; and if he rejected them, Zal would be disappointed and driven +to despair. He at length accepted them, and concurred in the wishes of +Sindokht respecting the union of the two lovers. + +When Zal arrived at the court of Minuchihr, he was received with honor, +and the letter of Sam being read, the king was prevailed upon to consent +to the pacific proposals that were made in favor of Mihrab, and the +nuptials. He too consulted his astrologers, and was informed that the +offspring of Zal and Rudabeh would be a hero of matchless strength and +valor. Zal, on his return through Kabul, had an interview with Rudabeh, +who welcomed him in the most rapturous terms:-- + + Be thou for ever blest, for I adore thee, + And make the dust of thy fair feet my pillow. + +In short, with the approbation of all parties the marriage at length +took place, and was celebrated at the beautiful summer-house where first +the lovers met. Sam was present at Kabul on the happy occasion, and soon +afterwards returned to Sistan, preparatory to resuming his martial +labors in Karugsar and Mazinderan. + +As the time drew near that Rudabeh should become a mother, she suffered +extremely from constant indisposition, and both Zal and Sindokht were in +the deepest distress on account of her precarious state. + + The cypress leaf was withering; pale she lay, + Unsoothed by rest or sleep, death seemed approaching. + +At last Zal recollected the feather of the Simurgh, and followed the +instructions which he had received, by placing it on the fire. In a +moment darkness surrounded them, which was, however, immediately +dispersed by the sudden appearance of the Simurgh. "Why," said the +Simurgh, "do I see all this grief and sorrow? Why are the tear-drops in +the warrior's eyes? A child will be born of mighty power, who will +become the wonder of the world." + +The Simurgh then gave some advice which was implicitly attended to, and +the result was that Rudabeh was soon out of danger. Never was beheld so +prodigious a child. The father and mother were equally amazed. They +called the boy Rustem. On the first day he looked a year old, and he +required the milk of ten nurses. A likeness of him was immediately +worked in silk, representing him upon a horse, and armed like a warrior, +which was sent to Sam, who was then fighting in Mazinderan, and it made +the old champion almost delirious with joy. At Kabul and Zabul there was +nothing but feasting and rejoicing, as soon as the tidings were known, +and thousands of dinars were given away in charity to the poor. When +Rustem was five years of age, he ate as much as a man, and some say that +even in his third year he rode on horseback. In his eighth year he was +as powerful as any hero of the time. + + In beauty of form and in vigour of limb, + No mortal was ever seen equal to him. + +Both Sam and Mihrab, though far distant from the scene of felicity, were +equally anxious to proceed to Zabulistan to behold their wonderful +grandson. Both set off, but Mihrab arrived first with great pomp, and a +whole army for his suite, and went forth with Zal to meet Sam, and give +him an honorable welcome. The boy Rustem was mounted on an elephant, +wearing a splendid crown, and wanted to join them, but his father kindly +prevented him undergoing the inconvenience of alighting. Zal and Mihrab +dismounted as soon as Sam was seen at a distance, and performed the +ceremonies of an affectionate reception. Sam was indeed amazed when he +did see the boy, and showered blessings on his head. + +Afterwards Sam placed Mihrab on his right hand, and Zal on his left, and +Rustem before him, and began to converse with his grandson, who thus +manifested to him his martial disposition. + + "Thou art the champion of the world, and I + The branch of that fair tree of which thou art + The glorious root: to thee I am devoted, + But ease and leisure have no charms for me; + Nor music, nor the songs of festive joy. + Mounted and armed, a helmet on my brow, + A javelin in my grasp, I long to meet + The foe, and cast his severed head before thee." + +Then Sam made a royal feast, and every apartment in his palace was +richly decorated, and resounded with mirth and rejoicing. Mihrab was the +merriest, and drank the most, and in his cups saw nothing but himself, +so vain had he become from the countenance he had received. He kept +saying:-- + + "Now I feel no alarm about Sam or Zal-zer, + Nor the splendour and power of the great Minuchihr; + Whilst aided by Rustem, his sword, and his mace, + Not a cloud of misfortune can shadow my face. + All the laws of Zohak I will quickly restore, + And the world shall be fragrant and blest as before." + +This exultation plainly betrayed the disposition of his race; and though +Sam smiled at the extravagance of Mihrab, he looked up towards Heaven, +and prayed that Rustem might not prove a tyrant, but be continually +active in doing good, and humble before God. + +Upon Sam departing, on his return to Karugsar and Mazinderan, Zal went +with Rustem to Sistan, a province dependent on his government, and +settled him there. The white elephant, belonging to Minuchihr, was kept +at Sistan. One night Rustem was awakened out of his sleep by a great +noise, and cries of distress when starting up and inquiring the cause, +he was told that the white elephant had got loose, and was trampling and +crushing the people to death. In a moment he issued from his apartment, +brandishing his mace; but was soon stopped by the servants, who were +anxious to expostulate with him against venturing out in the darkness of +night to encounter a ferocious elephant. Impatient at being thus +interrupted he knocked down one of the watchmen, who fell dead at his +feet, and the others running away, he broke the lock of the gate, and +escaped. He immediately opposed himself to the enormous animal, which +looked like a mountain, and kept roaring like the River Nil. Regarding +him with a cautious and steady eye, he gave a loud shout, and fearlessly +struck him a blow, with such strength and vigor, that the iron mace was +bent almost double. The elephant trembled, and soon fell exhausted and +lifeless in the dust. When it was communicated to Zal that Rustem had +killed the animal with one blow, he was amazed, and fervently returned +thanks to heaven. He called him to him, and kissed him, and said: "My +darling boy, thou art indeed unequalled in valor and magnanimity." + +Then it occurred to Zal that Rustem, after such an achievement, would be +a proper person to take vengeance on the enemies of his grandfather +Nariman, who was sent by Feridun with a large army against an enchanted +fort situated upon the mountain Sipund, and who whilst endeavoring to +effect his object, was killed by a piece of rock thrown down from above +by the besieged. The fort[7], which was many miles high, inclosed +beautiful lawns of the freshest verdure, and delightful gardens +abounding with fruit and flowers; it was also full of treasure. Sam, on +hearing of the fate of his father, was deeply afflicted, and in a short +time proceeded against the fort himself; but he was surrounded by a +trackless desert. He knew not what course to pursue; not a being was +ever seen to enter or come out of the gates, and, after spending months +and years in fruitless endeavors, he was compelled to retire from the +appalling enterprise in despair. "Now," said Zal to Rustem, "the time is +come, and the remedy is at hand; thou art yet unknown, and may easily +accomplish our purpose." Rustem agreed to the proposed adventure, and +according to his father's advice, assumed the dress and character of a +salt-merchant, prepared a caravan of camels, and secreted arms for +himself and companions among the loads of salt. Everything being ready +they set off, and it was not long before they reached the fort on the +mountain Sipund. Salt being a precious article, and much wanted, as soon +as the garrison knew that it was for sale, the gates were opened; and +then was Rustem seen, together with his warriors, surrounded by men, +women, and children, anxiously making their purchases, some giving +clothes in exchange, some gold, and some silver, without fear or +suspicion. + + But when the night came on, and it was dark, + Rustem impatient drew his warriors forth, + And moved towards the mansion of the chief-- + But not unheard. The unaccustomed noise, + Announcing warlike menace and attack, + Awoke the Kotwal, who sprung up to meet + The peril threatened by the invading foe. + Rustem meanwhile uplifts his ponderous mace, + And cleaves his head, and scatters on the ground + The reeking brains. And now the garrison + Are on the alert, all hastening to the spot + Where battle rages; midst the deepened gloom + Flash sparkling swords, which show the crimson earth + Bright as the ruby. + +Rustem continued fighting with the people of the fort all night, and +just as morning dawned, he discovered the chief and slew him. Those who +survived, then escaped, and not one of the inhabitants remained within +the walls alive. Rustem's next object was to enter the governor's +mansion. It was built of stone, and the gate, which was made of iron, he +burst open with his battle-axe, and advancing onward, he discovered a +temple, constructed with infinite skill and science, beyond the power of +mortal man, and which contained amazing wealth, in jewels and gold. All +the warriors gathered for themselves as much treasure as they could +carry away, and more than imagination can conceive; and Rustem wrote to +Zal to know his further commands on the subject of the capture. Zal, +overjoyed at the result of the enterprise, replied: + + Thou hast illumed the soul of Nariman, + Now in the blissful bowers of Paradise, + By punishing his foes with fire and sword. + +He then recommended him to load all the camels with as much of the +invaluable property as could be removed, and bring it away, and then +burn and destroy the whole place, leaving not a single vestige; and the +command having been strictly complied with, Rustem retraced his steps to +Zabulistan. + + On his return Zal pressed him to his heart, + And paid him public honors. The fond mother + Kissed and embraced her darling son, and all + Uniting, showered their blessings on his head. + + + +DEATH OF MINUCHIHR + + To Minuchihr we now must turn again, + And mark the close of his illustrious reign. + +The king had flourished one hundred and twenty years, when now the +astrologers ascertained that the period of his departure from this life +was at hand. + + They told him of that day of bitterness, + Which would obscure the splendour of his throne; + And said--"The time approaches, thou must go, + Doubtless to Heaven. Think what thou hast to do; + And be it done before the damp cold earth + Inshrine thy body. Let not sudden death + O'ertake thee, ere thou art prepared to die!" + Warned by the wise, he called his courtiers round him, + And thus he counselled Nauder:--"O, my son! + Fix not thy heart upon a regal crown, + For this vain world is fleeting as the wind; + The pain and sorrows of twice sixty years + Have I endured, though happiness and joy + Have also been my portion. I have fought + In many a battle, vanquished many a foe; + By Feridun's commands I girt my loins, + And his advice has ever been my guide. + I hurled just vengeance on the tyrant-brothers + Silim and Tur, who slew the gentle Irij; + And cities have I built, and made the tree + Which yielded poison, teem with wholesome fruit. + And now to thee the kingdom I resign, + That kingdom which belonged to Feridun, + And thou wilt be the sovereign of the world! + But turn not from the worship of thy God, + That sacred worship Moses taught, the best + Of all the prophets; turn not from the path + Of purest holiness, thy father's choice. + + "My son, events of peril are before thee; + Thy enemy will come in fierce array, + From the wild mountains of Turan, the son + Of Poshang, the invader. In that hour + Of danger, seek the aid of Sam and Zal, + And that young branch just blossoming; Turan + Will then have no safe buckler of defence, + None to protect it from their conquering arms." + + Thus spoke the sire prophetic to his son, + And both were moved to tears. Again the king + Resumed his warning voice: "Nauder, I charge thee + Place not thy trust upon a world like this, + Where nothing fixed remains. The caravan + Goes to another city, one to-day, + The next, to-morrow, each observes its turn + And time appointed--mine has come at last, + And I must travel on the destined road." + +At the period Minuchihr uttered this exhortation, he was entirely free +from indisposition, but he shortly afterwards closed his eyes in death. + + + +NAUDER + +Upon the demise of Minuchihr, Nauder ascended the throne, and commenced +his reign in the most promising manner; but before two months had +passed, he neglected the counsels of his father, and betrayed the +despotic character of his heart. To such an extreme did he carry his +oppression, that to escape from his violence, the people were induced to +solicit other princes to come and take possession of the empire. The +courtiers labored under the greatest embarrassment, their monarch being +solely occupied in extorting money from his subjects, and amassing +wealth for his own coffers. Nauder was not long in perceiving the +dissatisfaction that universally prevailed, and, anticipating, not only +an immediate revolt, but an invading army, solicited, according to his +father's advice, the assistance of Sam, then at Mazinderan. The +complaints of the people, however, reached Sam before the arrival of the +messenger, and when he received the letter, he was greatly distressed on +account of the extreme severity exercised by the new king. The champion, +in consequence, proceeded forthwith from Mazinderan to Persia, and when +he entered the capital, he was joyously welcomed, and at once entreated +by the people to take the sovereignty upon himself. It was said of +Nauder: + + The gloom of tyranny has hid + The light his father's counsel gave; + The hope of life is lost amid + The desolation of the grave. + The world is withering in his thrall, + Exhausted by his iron sway; + Do thou ascend the throne, and all + Will cheerfully thy will obey. + +But Sam said, "No; I should then be ungrateful to Minuchihr, a traitor, +and deservedly offensive in the eyes of God. Nauder is the king, and I +am bound to do him service, although he has deplorably departed from the +advice of his father." He then soothed the alarm and irritation of the +chiefs, and engaging to be a mediator upon the unhappy occasion, brought +them to a more pacific tone of thinking. After this he immediately +repaired to Nauder, who received him with great favor and kindness. "O +king," said he, "only keep Feridun in remembrance, and govern the empire +in such a manner that thy name may be honored by thy subjects; for, be +well assured, that he who has a just estimate of the world, will never +look upon it as his place of rest. It is but an inn, where all +travellers meet on their way to eternity, but must not remain. The wise +consider those who fix their affections on this life, as utterly devoid +of reason and reflection: + + "Pleasure, and pomp, and wealth may be obtained-- + And every want luxuriously supplied: + But suddenly, without a moment's warning, + Death comes, and hurls the monarch from his throne, + His crown and sceptre scattering in the dust. + He who is satisfied with earthly joys, + Can never know the blessedness of Heaven; + His soul must still be dark. Why do the good + Suffer in this world, but to be prepared + For future rest and happiness? The name + Of Feridun is honoured among men, + Whilst curses load the memory of Zohak." + +This intercession of Sam produced an entire change in the government of +Nauder, who promised, in future, to rule his people according to the +principles of Husheng, and Feridun, and Minuchihr. The chiefs and +captains of the army were, in consequence, contented, and the kingdom +reunited itself under his sway. + +In the meantime, however, the news of the death of Minuchihr, together +with Nauder's injustice and seventy, and the disaffection of his people, +had reached Turan, of which country Poshang, a descendant from Tur, was +then the sovereign. Poshang, who had been unable to make a single +successful hostile movement during the life of Minuchihr, at once +conceived this to be a fit opportunity of taking revenge for the blood +of Silim and Tur, and every appearance seeming to be in his favor, he +called before him his heroic son Afrasiyab, and explained to him his +purpose and views. It was not difficult to inspire the youthful mind of +Afrasiyab with the sentiments he himself cherished, and a large army was +immediately collected to take the field against Nauder. Poshang was +proud of the chivalrous spirit and promptitude displayed by his son, who +is said to have been as strong as a lion, or an elephant, and whose +shadow extended miles. His tongue was like a bright sword, and his heart +as bounteous as the ocean, and his hands like the clouds when rain falls +to gladden the thirsty earth. Aghriras, the brother of Afrasiyab, +however, was not so precipitate. He cautioned his father to be prudent, +for though Persia could no longer boast of the presence of Minuchihr, +still the great warrior Sam, and Karun, and Garshasp, were living, and +Poshang had only to look at the result of the wars in which Silim and +Tur were involved, to be convinced that the existing conjuncture +required mature deliberation. "It would be better," said he, "not to +begin the contest at all, than to bring ruin and desolation on our own +country." Poshang, on the contrary, thought the time peculiarly fit and +inviting, and contended that, as Minuchihr took vengeance for the blood +of his grandfather, so ought Afrasiyab to take vengeance for his. "The +grandson," he said, "who refuses to do this act of justice, is unworthy +of his family. There is nothing to apprehend from the efforts of Nauder, +who is an inexperienced youth, nor from the valor of his warriors. +Afrasiyab is brave and powerful in war, and thou must accompany him and +share the glory." After this no further observation was offered, and the +martial preparations were completed. + + + +AFRASIYAB MARCHES AGAINST NAUDER + +The brazen drums on the elephants were sounded as the signal of +departure, and the army proceeded rapidly to its destination, +overshadowing the earth in its progress. Afrasiyab had penetrated as far +as the Jihun before Nauder was aware of his approach. Upon receiving +this intelligence of the activity of the enemy, the warriors of the +Persian army immediately moved in that direction, and on their arrival +at Dehstan, prepared for battle. + +Afrasiyab despatched thirty thousand of his troops under the command of +Shimasas and Khazervan to Zabulistan, to act against Zal, having heard +on his march of the death of the illustrious Sam, and advanced himself +upon Dehstan with four hundred thousand soldiers, covering the ground +like swarms of ants and locusts. He soon discovered that Nauder's forces +did not exceed one hundred and forty thousand men, and wrote to Poshang, +his father, in high spirits, especially on account of not having to +contend against Sam, the warrior, and informed him that he had detached +Shimasas against Zabulistan. When the armies had approached to within +two leagues of each other, Barman, one of the Turanian chiefs, offered +to challenge any one of the enemy to single combat: but Aghriras +objected to it, not wishing that so valuable a hero should run the +hazard of discomfiture. At this Afrasiyab was very indignant and +directed Barman to follow the bent of his own inclinations. + + "'Tis not for us to shrink from Persian foe, + Put on thy armour, and prepare thy bow." + +Accordingly the challenge was given. Karun looked round, and the only +person who answered the call was the aged Kobad, his brother. Karun and +Kobad were both sons of Kavah, the blacksmith, and both leaders in the +Persian army. No persuasion could restrain Kobad from the unequal +conflict. He resisted all the entreaties of Karun, who said to him-- + + "O, should thy hoary locks be stained with blood, + Thy legions will be overwhelmed with grief, + And, in despair, decline the coming battle." + But what was the reply of brave Kobad? + "Brother, this body, this frail tenement, + Belongs to death. No living man has ever + Gone up to Heaven--for all are doomed to die.-- + Some by the sword, the dagger, or the spear, + And some, devoured by roaring beasts of prey; + Some peacefully upon their beds, and others + Snatched suddenly from life, endure the lot + Ordained by the Creator. If I perish, + Does not my brother live, my noble brother, + To bury me beneath a warrior's tomb, + And bless my memory?" + +Saying this, he rushed forward, and the two warriors met in desperate +conflict. The struggle lasted all day; at last Barman threw a stone at +his antagonist with such force, that Kobad in receiving the blow fell +lifeless from his horse. When Karun saw that his brother was slain, he +brought forward his whole army to be revenged for the death of Kobad. +Afrasiyab himself advanced to the charge, and the encounter was +dreadful. The soldiers who fell among the Turanians could not be +numbered, but the Persians lost fifty thousand men. + + Loud neighed the steeds, and their resounding hoofs. + Shook the deep caverns of the earth; the dust + Rose up in clouds and hid the azure heavens-- + Bright beamed the swords, and in that carnage wide, + Blood flowed like water. Night alone divided + The hostile armies. + +When the battle ceased Karun fell back upon Dehstan, and communicated +his misfortune to Nauder, who lamented the loss of Kobad, even more than +that of Sam. In the morning Karun again took the field against +Afrasiyab, and the conflict was again terrible. Nauder boldly opposed +himself to the enemy, and singling out Afrasiyab, the two heroes fought +with great bravery till night again put an end to the engagement. The +Persian army had suffered most, and Nauder retired to his tent +disappointed, fatigued, and sorrowful. He then called to mind the words +of Minuchihr, and called for his two sons, Tus and Gustahem. With +melancholy forebodings he directed them to return to Iran, with his +shubistan, or domestic establishment, and take refuge on the mountain +Alberz, in the hope that some one of the race of Feridun might survive +the general ruin which seemed to be approaching. + +The armies rested two days. On the third the reverberating noise of +drums and trumpets announced the recommencement of the battle. On the +Persian side Shahpur had been appointed in the room of Kobad, and Barman +and Shiwaz led the right and left of the Turanians under Afrasiyab. + + From dawn to sunset, mountain, plain, and stream, + Were hid from view; the earth, beneath the tread + Of myriads, groaned; and when the javelins cast + Long shadows on the plain at even-tide, + The Tartar host had won the victory; + And many a Persian chief fell on that day:-- + Shahpur himself was slain. + +When Nauder and Karun saw the unfortunate result of the battle, they +again fell back upon Dehstan, and secured themselves in the fort. +Afrasiyab in the meantime despatched Karukhan to Iran, through the +desert, with a body of horsemen, for the purpose of intercepting and +capturing the shubistan of Nauder. As soon as Karun heard of this +expedition he was all on fire, and proposed to pursue the squadron under +Karukhan, and frustrate at once the object which the enemy had in view; +and though Nauder was unfavorable to this movement, Karun, supported by +several of the chiefs and a strong volunteer force, set off at midnight, +without permission, on this important enterprise. It was not long before +they reached the Duz-i-Suped, or white fort, of which Gustahem was the +governor, and falling in with Barman, who was also pushing forward to +Persia, Karun, in revenge for his brother Kobad, sought him out, and +dared him to single combat. He threw his javelin with such might, that +his antagonist was driven furiously from his horse; and then, +dismounting, he cut off his head, and hung it at his saddle-bow. After +this he attacked and defeated the Tartar troops, and continued his march +towards Iran. + +Nauder having found that Karun had departed, immediately followed, and +Afrasiyab was not long in pursuing him. The Turanians at length came up +with Nauder, and attacked him with great vigor. The unfortunate king, +unable to parry the onset, fell into the hands of his enemies, together +with upwards of one thousand of his famous warriors. + + Long fought they, Nauder and the Tartar-chief, + And the thick dust which rose from either host, + Darkened the rolling Heavens. Afrasiyab + Seized by the girdle-belt the Persian king, + And furious, dragged him from his foaming horse. + With him a thousand warriors, high in name, + Were taken on the field; and every legion, + Captured whilst flying from the victor's brand. + + Such are the freaks of Fortune: friend and foe + Alternate wear the crown. The world itself + Is an ingenious juggler--every moment + Playing some novel trick; exalting one + In pomp and splendour, crushing down another, + As if in sport,--and death the end of all! + +After the achievement of this victory Afrasiyab directed that Karun +should be pursued and attacked wherever he might be found; but when he +heard that he had hurried on for the protection of the shubistan, and +had conquered and slain Barman, he gnawed his hands with rage. The reign +of Nauder lasted only seven years. After him Afrasiyab was the master of +Persia. + + + +AFRASIYAB + +It has already been said that Shimasas and Khazervan were sent by +Afrasiyab with thirty thousand men against Kabul and Zabul, and when Zal +heard of this movement he forthwith united with Mihrab the chief of +Kabul, and having first collected a large army in Sistan, had a conflict +with the two Tartar generals. + + Zal promptly donned himself in war attire, + And, mounted like a hero, to the field + Hastened, his soldiers frowning on their steeds. + Now Khazervan grasps his huge battle-axe, + And, his broad shield extending, at one blow + Shivers the mail of Zal, who calls aloud + As, like a lion, to the fight he springs, + Armed with his father's mace. Sternly he looks + And with the fury of a dragon, drives + The weapon through his adversary's head, + Staining the ground with streaks of blood, resembling + The waving stripes upon a tiger's back. + +At this time Rustem was confined at home with the smallpox. Upon the +death of Khazervan, Shimasas thirsted to be revenged; but when Zal +meeting him raised his mace, and began to close, the chief became +alarmed and turned back, and all his squadrons followed his example. + + Fled Shimasas, and all his fighting train, + Like herds by tempests scattered o'er the plain. + +Zal set off in pursuit, and slew a great number of the enemy; but when +Afrasiyab was made acquainted with this defeat, he immediately released +Nauder from his fetters, and in his rage instantly deprived him of life. + + He struck him and so deadly was the blow, + Breath left the body in a moment's space. + +After this Afrasiyab turned his views towards Tus and Gustahem in the +hope of getting them into his hands; but as soon as they received +intimation of his object, the two brothers retired from Iran, and went +to Sistan to live under the protection of Zal. The champion received +them with due respect and honor. Karun also went, with all the warriors +and people who had been supported by Nauder, and co-operated with Zal, +who encouraged them with the hopes of future success. Zal, however, +considered that both Tus and Gustahem were still of a tender age--that a +monarch of extraordinary wisdom and energy was required to oppose +Afrasiyab--that he himself was not of the blood of the Kais, nor fit for +the duties of sovereignty, and, therefore, he turned his thoughts +towards Aghriras, the younger brother of Afrasiyab, distinguished as he +was for his valor, prudence, and humanity, and to whom Poshang, his +father, had given the government of Rai. To him Zal sent an envoy, +saying, that if he would proceed to Sistan, he should be supplied with +ample resources to place him on the throne of Persia; that by the +co-operation of Zal and all his warriors the conquest would be easy, and +that there would be no difficulty in destroying the power of Afrasiyab. +Aghriras accepted the offer, and immediately proceeded from his kingdom +of Rai towards Sistan. On his arrival at Babel, Afrasiyab heard of his +ambitious plans, and lost no time in assembling his army and marching to +arrest the progress of his brother. Aghriras, unable to sustain a +battle, had recourse to negotiation and a conference, in which Afrasiyab +said to him, "What rebellious conduct is this, of which thou art guilty? +Is not the country of Rai sufficient for thee, that thou art thus +aspiring to be a great king?" Aghriras replied: "Why reproach and insult +me thus? Art thou not ashamed to accuse another of rebellious conduct? + + "Shame might have held thy tongue; reprove not me + In bitterness; God did not give thee power + To injure man, and surely not thy kin." + Afrasiyab, enraged at this reproof, + Replied by a foul deed--he grasped his sword, + And with remorseless fury slew his brother! + +When intelligence of this cruel catastrophe came to Zal's ears, he +exclaimed: "Now indeed has the empire of Afrasiyab arrived at its +crisis: + + "Yes, yes, the tyrant's throne is tottering now, + And past is all his glory." + +Then Zal bound his loins in hostility against Afrasiyab, and gathering +together all his warriors, resolved upon taking revenge for the death of +Nauder, and expelling the tyrant from Persia. Neither Tus nor Gustahem +being yet capable of sustaining the cares and duties of the throne, his +anxiety was to obtain the assistance of some one of the race of Feridun. + + These youths were for imperial rule unfit: + A king of royal lineage and worth + The state required, and none could he remember + Save Tahmasp's son, descended from the blood + Of Feridun. + + + +ZAU + +At the time when Silim and Tur were killed, Tahmasp, the son of Silim, +fled from the country and took refuge in an island, where he died, and +left a son named Zau. Zal sent Karun, the son of Kavah, attended by a +proper escort, with overtures to Zau, who readily complied, and was +under favorable circumstances seated upon the throne: + + Speedily, in arms, + He led his troops to Persia, fought, and won + A kingdom, by his power and bravery-- + And happy was the day when princely Zau + Was placed upon that throne of sovereignty; + All breathed their prayers upon his future reign, + And o'er his head (the customary rite) + Shower'd gold and jewels. + +When he had subdued the country, he turned his arms against Afrasiyab, +who in consequence of losing the co-operation of the Persians, and not +being in a state to encounter a superior force, thought it prudent to +retreat, and return to his father. The reign of Zau lasted five years, +after which he died, and was succeeded by his son Garshasp. + + + +GARSHASP + +Garshasp, whilst in his minority, being unacquainted with the affairs of +government, abided in all things by the judgment and counsels of Zal. +When Afrasiyab arrived at Turan, his father was in great distress and +anger on account of the inhuman murder of Aghriras; and so exceedingly +did he grieve, that he would not endure his presence. + + And when Afrasiyab returned, his sire, + Poshang, in grief, refused to see his face. + To him the day of happiness and joy + Had been obscured by the dark clouds of night; + And thus he said: "Why didst thou, why didst _thou_ + In power supreme, without pretence of guilt, + With thy own hand his precious life destroy? + Why hast thou shed thy innocent brother's blood? + In this life thou art nothing now to me; + Away, I must not see thy face again." + +Afrasiyab continued offensive and despicable in the mind of his father +till he heard that Garshasp was unequal to rule over Persia, and then +thinking he could turn the warlike spirit of Afrasiyab to advantage, he +forgave the crime of his son. He forthwith collected an immense army, +and sent him again to effect the conquest of Iran, under the pretext of +avenging the death of Silim and Tur. + + Afrasiyab a mighty army raised, + And passing plain and river, mountain high, + And desert wild, filled all the Persian realm + With consternation, universal dread. + +The chief authorities of the country applied to Zal as their only remedy +against the invasion of Afrasiyab. + + They said to Zal, "How easy is the task + For thee to grasp the world--then, since thou canst + Afford us succour, yield the blessing now; + For, lo! the King Afrasiyab has come, + In all his power and overwhelming might." + +Zal replied that he had on this occasion appointed Rustem to command the +army, and to oppose the invasion of Afrasiyab. + + And thus the warrior Zal to Rustem spoke-- + "Strong as an elephant thou art, my son, + Surpassing thy companions, and I now + Forewarn thee that a difficult emprize, + Hostile to ease or sleep, demands thy care. + 'Tis true, of battles thou canst nothing know, + But what am I to do? This is no time + For banquetting, and yet thy lips still breathe + The scent of milk, a proof of infancy; + Thy heart pants after gladness and the sweet + Endearments of domestic life; can I + Then send thee to the war to cope with heroes + Burning with wrath and vengeance?" Rustem said-- + "Mistake me not, I have no wish, not I, + For soft endearments, nor domestic life, + Nor home-felt joys. This chest, these nervous limbs, + Denote far other objects of pursuit, + Than a luxurious life of ease and pleasure." + +Zal having taken great pains in the instruction of Rustem in warlike +exercises, and the rules of battle, found infinite aptitude in the boy, +and his activity and skill seemed to be superior to his own. He thanked +God for the comfort it gave him, and was glad. Then Rustem asked his +father for a suitable mace; and seeing the huge weapon which was borne +by the great Sam, he took it up, and it answered his purpose exactly. + + When the young hero saw the mace of Sam + He smiled with pleasure, and his heart rejoiced; + And paying homage to his father Zal, + The champion of the age, asked for a steed + Of corresponding power, that he might use + That famous club with added force and vigor. + +Zal showed him all the horses in his possession, and Rustem tried many, +but found not one of sufficient strength to suit him. At last his eyes +fell upon a mare followed by a foal of great promise, beauty, and +strength. + + Seeing that foal, whose bright and glossy skin + Was dappled o'er, like blossoms of the rose + Upon a saffron lawn, Rustem prepared + His noose, and held it ready in his hand. + +The groom recommended him to secure the foal, as it was the offspring of +Abresh, born of a Diw, or Demon, and called Rakush. The dam had killed +several persons who attempted to seize her young one. + + Now Rustem flings the noose, and suddenly + Rakush secures. Meanwhile the furious mare + Attacks him, eager with her pointed teeth + To crush his brain--but, stunned by his loud cry, + She stops in wonder. Then with clenched hand + He smites her on the head and neck, and down + She tumbles, struggling in the pangs of death. + +Rakush, however, though with the noose round his neck, was not so easily +subdued; but kept dragging and pulling Rustem, as if by a tether, and it +was a considerable time before the animal could be reduced to +subjection. At last, Rustem thanked Heaven that he had obtained the very +horse he wanted. + + "Now am I with my horse prepared to join + The field of warriors!" Thus the hero said, + And placed the saddle on his charger. Zal + Beheld him with delight,--his withered heart + Glowing with summer freshness. Open then + He threw his treasury--thoughtless of the past + Or future--present joy absorbing all + His faculties, and thrilling every nerve. + +In a short time Zal sent Rustem with a prodigious army against +Afrasiyab, and two days afterwards set off himself and joined his son. +Afrasiyab said, "The son is but a boy, and the father is old; I shall +have no difficulty in recovering the empire of Persia." These +observations having reached Zal, he pondered deeply, considering that +Garshasp would not be able to contend against Afrasiyab, and that no +other prince of the race of Feridun was known to be in existence. +However, he despatched people in every quarter to gather information on +the subject, and at length Kai-kobad was understood to be residing in +obscurity on the mountain Alberz, distinguished for his wisdom and +valor, and his qualifications for the exercise of sovereign power. Zal +therefore recommended Rustem to proceed to Alberz, and bring him from +his concealment. + + Thus Zal to Rustem spoke, "Go forth, my son, + And speedily perform this pressing duty, + To linger would be dangerous. Say to him, + 'The army is prepared--the throne is ready, + And thou alone, of the Kaianian race, + Deemed fit for sovereign rule.'" + +Rustem accordingly mounted Rakush, and accompanied by a powerful force, +pursued his way towards the mountain Alberz; and though the road was +infested by the troops of Afrasiyab, he valiantly overcame every +difficulty that was opposed to his progress. On reaching the vicinity of +Alberz, he observed a beautiful spot of ground studded with luxuriant +trees, and watered by glittering rills. There too, sitting upon a +throne, placed in the shade on the flowery margin of a stream, he saw a +young man, surrounded by a company of friends and attendants, and +engaged at a gorgeous entertainment. Rustem, when he came near, was +hospitably invited to partake of the feast: but this he declined, +saying, that he was on an important mission to Alberz, which forbade the +enjoyment of any pleasure till his task was accomplished; in short, that +he was in search of Kai-kobad: but upon being told that he would there +receive intelligence of him, he alighted and approached the bank of the +stream where the company was assembled. The young man who was seated +upon the golden throne took hold of the hand of Rustem, and filling up a +goblet with wine, gave another to his guest, and asked him at whose +command or suggestion he was in search of Kai-kobad. Rustem replied, +that he was sent by his father Zal, and frankly communicated to him the +special object they had in view. The young man, delighted with the +information, immediately discovered himself, acknowledged that he was +Kai-kobad, and then Rustem respectfully hailed him as the sovereign of +Persia. + + The banquet was resumed again-- + And, hark, the softly warbled strain, + As harp and flute, in union sweet, + The voices of the singers meet. + The black-eyed damsels now display + Their art in many an amorous lay; + And now the song is loud and clear, + And speaks of Rustem's welcome here. + "This is a day, a glorious day, + That drives ungenial thoughts away; + This is a day to make us glad, + Since Rustem comes for Kai-kobad; + O, let us pass our time in glee, + And talk of Jemshid's majesty, + The pomp and glory of his reign, + And still the sparkling goblet drain.-- + Come, Saki, fill the wine-cup high, + And let not even its brim be dry; + For wine alone has power to part + The rust of sorrow from the heart. + Drink to the king, in merry mood, + Since fortune smiles, and wine is good; + Quaffing red wine is better far + Than shedding blood in strife, or war; + Man is but dust, and why should he + Become a fire of enmity? + Drink deep, all other cares resign. + For what can vie with ruby wine?" + +In this manner ran the song of the revellers. After which, and being +rather merry with wine, Kai-kobad told Rustem of the dream that had +induced him to descend from his place of refuge on Alberz, and to +prepare a banquet on the occasion. He dreamt the night before that two +white falcons from Persia placed a splendid crown upon his head, and +this vision was interpreted by Rustem as symbolical of his father and +himself, who at that moment were engaged in investing him with kingly +power. The hero then solicited the young sovereign to hasten his +departure for Persia, and preparations were made without delay. They +travelled night and day, and fell in with several detachments of the +enemy, which were easily repulsed by the valor of Rustem. The fiercest +attack proceeded from Kelun, one of Afrasiyab's warriors, near the +confines of Persia, who in the encounter used his spear with great +dexterity and address. + + But Rustem with his javelin soon transfixed + The Tartar knight--who in the eyes of all + Looked like a spitted chicken--down he sunk, + And all his soldiers fled in wild dismay. + Then Rustem turned aside, and found a spot + Where verdant meadows smiled, and streamlets flowed, + Inviting weary travellers to rest. + There they awhile remained--and when the sun + Went down, and night had darkened all the sky, + The champion joyfully pursued his way, + And brought the monarch to his father's house. + --Seven days they sat in council--on the eighth + Young Kai-kobad was crowned--and placed upon + The ivory throne in presence of his warriors, + Who all besought him to commence the war + Against the Tartar prince, Afrasiyab. + + + +KAI-KOBAD + +Kai-kobad having been raised to the throne at a council of the warriors, +and advised to oppose the progress of Afrasiyab, immediately assembled +his army. Mihrab, the ruler of Kabul, was appointed to one wing, and +Gustahem to the other--the centre was given to Karun and Kishwad, and +Rustem was placed in front, Zal with Kai-kobad remaining in the rear. +The glorious standard of Kavah streamed upon the breeze. + +On the other side, Afrasiyab prepared for battle, assisted by his heroes +Akbas, Wisah, Shimasas, and Gersiwaz; and so great was the clamor and +confusion which proceeded from both armies, that earth and sky seemed +blended together.[8] The clattering of hoofs, the shrill roar of +trumpets, the rattle of brazen drums, and the vivid glittering of spear +and shield, produced indescribable tumult and splendor. + +Karun was the first in action, and he brought many a hero to the ground. +He singled out Shimasas; and after a desperate struggle, laid him +breathless on the field. Rustem, stimulated by these exploits, requested +his father, Zal, to point out Afrasiyab, that he might encounter him; +but Zal endeavored to dissuade him from so hopeless an effort, saying, + + "My son, be wise, and peril not thyself; + Black is his banner, and his cuirass black-- + His limbs are cased in iron--on his head + He wears an iron helm--and high before him + Floats the black ensign; equal in his might + To ten strong men, he never in one place + Remains, but everywhere displays his power. + The crocodile has in the rolling stream + No safety; and a mountain, formed of steel, + Even at the mention of Afrasiyab, + Melts into water. Then, beware of him." + Rustem replied:--"Be not alarmed for me-- + My heart, my arm, my dagger, are my castle, + And Heaven befriends me--let him but appear, + Dragon or Demon, and the field is mine." + +Then Rustem valiantly urged Rakush towards the Turanian army, and called +out aloud. As soon as Afrasiyab beheld him, he inquired who he could be, +and he was told, "This is Rustem, the son of Zal. Seest thou not in his +hand the battle-axe of Sam? The youth has come in search of renown." +When the combatants closed, they struggled for some time together, and +at length Rustem seized the girdle-belt of his antagonist, and threw him +from his saddle. He wished to drag the captive as a trophy to Kai-kobad, +that his first great victory might be remembered, but unfortunately the +belt gave way, and Afrasiyab fell on the ground. Immediately the fallen +chief was surrounded and rescued by his own warriors, but not before +Rustem had snatched off his crown, and carried it away with the broken +girdle which was left in his hand. And now a general engagement took +place. Rustem being reinforced by the advance of the king, with Zal and +Mihrab at his side-- + + Both armies seemed so closely waging war, + Thou wouldst have said, that they were mixed together. + The earth shook with the tramping of the steeds, + Rattled the drums; loud clamours from the troops + Echoed around, and from the iron grasp + Of warriors, many a life was spent in air. + With his huge mace, cow-headed, Rustem dyed + The ground with crimson--and wherever seen, + Urging impatiently his fiery horse, + Heads severed fell like withered leaves in autumn. + If, brandishing his sword, he struck the head, + Horseman and steed were downward cleft in twain-- + And if his side-long blow was on the loins, + The sword passed through, as easily as the blade + Slices a cucumber. The blood of heroes + Deluged the plain. On that tremendous day, + With sword and dagger, battle-axe and noose,[9] + He cut, and tore, and broke, and bound the brave, + Slaying and making captive. At one swoop + More than a thousand fell by his own hand. + +Zal beheld his son with amazement and delight. The Turanians left the +fire-worshippers in possession of the field, and retreated towards the +Jihun with precipitation, not a sound of drum or trumpet denoting their +track. After halting three days in a state of deep dejection and misery, +they continued their retreat along the banks of the Jihun. The Persian +army, upon the flight of the enemy, fell back with their prisoners of +war, and Rustem was received by the king with distinguished honor. When +Afrasiyab returned to his father, he communicated to him, with a heavy +heart, the misfortunes of the battle, and the power that had been +arrayed against him, dwelling with wonder and admiration on the +stupendous valor of Rustem. + + Seeing my sable banner, + He to the fight came like a crocodile, + Thou wouldst have said his breath scorched up the plain; + He seized my girdle with such mighty force + As if he would have torn my joints asunder; + And raised me from my saddle--that I seemed + An insect in his grasp--but presently + The golden girdle broke, and down I fell + Ingloriously upon the dusty ground; + But I was rescued by my warrior train! + Thou knowest my valour, how my nerves are strung, + And may conceive the wondrous strength, which thus + Sunk me to nothing. Iron is his frame, + And marvellous his power; peace, peace, alone + Can save us and our country from destruction. + +Poshang, considering the luckless state of affairs, and the loss of so +many valiant warriors, thought it prudent to acquiesce in the wishes of +Afrasiyab, and sue for peace. To this end Wisah was intrusted with +magnificent presents, and the overtures which in substance ran thus: +"Minuchihr was revenged upon Tur and Silim for the death of Irij. +Afrasiyab again has revenged their death upon Nauder, the son of +Minuchihr, and now Rustem has conquered Afrasiyab. But why should we any +longer keep the world in confusion--Why should we not be satisfied with +what Feridun, in his wisdom, decreed? Continue in the empire which he +appropriated to Irij, and let the Jihun be the boundary between us, for +are we not connected by blood, and of one family? Let our kingdoms be +gladdened with the blessings of peace." + +When these proposals of peace reached Kai-kobad, the following answer was +returned: + + "Well dost thou know that I was not the first + To wage this war. From Tur, thy ancestor, + The strife began. Bethink thee how he slew + The gentle Irij--his own brother;--how, + In these our days, thy son, Afrasiyab, + Crossing the Jihun, with a numerous force + Invaded Persia--think how Nauder died! + Not in the field of battle, like a hero, + But murdered by thy son--who, ever cruel, + Afterwards stabbed his brother, young Aghriras, + So deeply mourned by thee. Yet do I thirst not + For vengeance, or for strife. I yield the realm + Beyond the Jihun--let that river be + The boundary between us; but thy son, + Afrasiyab, must take his solemn oath + Never to cross that limit, or disturb + The Persian throne again; thus pledged, I grant + The peace solicited." + +The messenger without delay conveyed this welcome intelligence to +Poshang, and the Turanian army was in consequence immediately withdrawn +within the prescribed line of division, Rustem, however, expostulated +with the king against making peace at a time the most advantageous for +war, and especially when he had just commenced his victorious career; +but Kai-kobad thought differently, and considered nothing equal to +justice and tranquillity. Peace was accordingly concluded, and upon +Rustem and Zal he conferred the highest honors, and his other warriors +engaged in the late conflict also experienced the effects of his bounty +and gratitude in an eminent degree. + +Kai-kobad then moved towards Persia, and establishing his throne at +Istakhar,[10] he administered the affairs of his government with +admirable benevolence and clemency, and with unceasing solicitude for +the welfare of his subjects. In his eyes every one had an equal claim to +consideration and justice. The strong had no power to oppress the weak. +After he had continued ten years at Istakhar, building towns and cities, +and diffusing improvement and happiness over the land, he removed his +throne into Iran. His reign lasted one hundred years, which were passed +in the continued exercise of the most princely virtues, and the most +munificent liberality. He had four sons: Kai-kaus, Arish, Poshin and +Aramin; and when the period of his dissolution drew nigh, he solemnly +enjoined the eldest, whom he appointed his successor, to pursue steadily +the path of integrity and justice, and to be kind and merciful in the +administration of the empire left to his charge. + + + +KAI-KAUS + +When Kai-kaus[11] ascended the throne of his father, the whole world was +obedient to his will; but he soon began to deviate from the wise customs +and rules which had been recommended as essential to his prosperity and +happiness. He feasted and drank wine continually with his warriors and +chiefs, so that in the midst of his luxurious enjoyments he looked upon +himself as superior to every being upon the face of the earth, and thus +astonished the people, high and low, by his extravagance and pride. + +One day a Demon, disguised as a musician, waited upon the monarch, and +playing sweetly on his harp, sung a song in praise of Mazinderan. + + And thus he warbled to the king-- + "Mazinderan is the bower of spring, + My native home; the balmy air + Diffuses health and fragrance there; + So tempered is the genial glow, + Nor heat nor cold we ever know; + Tulips and hyacinths abound + On every lawn; and all around + Blooms like a garden in its prime, + Fostered by that delicious clime. + The bulbul sits on every spray, + And pours his soft melodious lay; + Each rural spot its sweets discloses, + Each streamlet is the dew of roses; + And damsels, idols of the heart, + Sustain a more bewitching part. + And mark me, that untravelled man + Who never saw Mazinderan, + And all the charms its bowers possess, + Has never tasted happiness!" + +No sooner had Kai-kaus heard this description of the country of +Mazinderan than he determined to lead an army thither, declaring to his +warriors that the splendor and glory of his reign should exceed that of +either Jemshid, Zohak, or Kai-kobad. The warriors, however, were alarmed +at this precipitate resolution, thinking it certain destruction to make +war against the Demons; but they had not courage or confidence enough to +disclose their real sentiments. They only ventured to suggest, that if +his majesty reflected a little on the subject, he might not ultimately +consider the enterprise so advisable as he had at first imagined. But +this produced no impression, and they then deemed it expedient to +despatch a messenger to Zal, to inform him of the wild notions which the +Evil One had put into the head of Kai-kaus to effect his ruin, imploring +Zal to allow of no delay, otherwise the eminent services so lately +performed by him and Rustem for the state would be rendered utterly +useless and vain. Upon this summons, Zal immediately set off from Sistan +to Iran; and having arrived at the royal court, and been received with +customary respect and consideration, he endeavored to dissuade the king +from the contemplated expedition into Mazinderan. + + "O, could I wash the darkness from thy mind, + And show thee all the perils that surround + This undertaking! Jemshid, high in power, + Whose diadem was brilliant as the sun, + Who ruled the demons--never in his pride + Dreamt of the conquest of Mazinderan! + Remember Feridun, he overthrew + Zohak--destroyed the tyrant, but he never + Thought of the conquest of Mazinderan! + This strange ambition never fired the souls + Of by-gone monarchs--mighty Minuchihr, + Always victorious, boundless in his wealth, + Nor Zau, nor Nauder, nor even Kai-kobad, + With all their pomp, and all their grandeur, ever + Dreamt of the conquest of Mazinderan! + It is the place of demon-sorcerers, + And all enchanted. Swords are useless there, + Nor bribery nor wisdom can obtain + Possession of that charm-defended land, + Then throw not men and treasure to the winds; + Waste not the precious blood of warriors brave, + In trying to subdue Mazinderan!" + +Kai-kaus, however, was not to be diverted from his purpose; and with +respect to what his predecessors had not done, he considered himself +superior in might and influence to either Feridun, Jemshid, Minuchihr, +or Kai-kobad, who had never aspired to the conquest of Mazinderan. He +further observed, that he had a bolder heart, a larger army, and a +fuller treasury than any of them, and the whole world was under his +sway-- + + And what are all these Demon-charms, + That they excite such dread alarms? + What is a Demon-host to me, + Their magic spells and sorcery? + One effort, and the field is won; + Then why should I the battle shun? + Be thou and Rustem (whilst afar + I wage the soul-appalling war), + The guardians of the kingdom; Heaven + To me hath its protection given; + And, when I reach the Demon's fort, + Their severed heads shall be my sport! + +When Zal became convinced of the unalterable resolution of Kai-kaus, he +ceased to oppose his views, and expressed his readiness to comply with +whatever commands he might receive for the safety of the state. + + May all thy actions prosper--may'st thou never + Have cause to recollect my warning voice, + With sorrow or repentance. Heaven protect thee! + +Zal then took leave of the king and his warrior friends, and returned to +Sistan, not without melancholy forebodings respecting the issue of the +war against Mazinderan. + +As soon as morning dawned, the army was put in motion. The charge of the +empire, and the keys of the treasury and jewel-chamber were left in the +hands of Milad, with injunctions, however, not to draw a sword against +any enemy that might spring up, without the consent and assistance of +Zal and Rustem. When the army had arrived within the limits of +Mazinderan, Kai-kaus ordered Giw to select two thousand of the bravest +men, the boldest wielders of the battle-axe, and proceed rapidly towards +the city. In his progress, according to the king's instructions, he +burnt and destroyed everything of value, mercilessly slaying man, woman, +and child. For the king said: + + Kill all before thee, whether young or old, + And turn their day to night; thus free the world + From the magician's art. + +Proceeding in his career of desolation and ruin, Giw came near to the +city, and found it arrayed in all the splendor of heaven; every street +was crowded with beautiful women, richly adorned, and young damsels with +faces as bright as the moon. The treasure-chamber was full of gold and +jewels, and the country abounded with cattle. Information of this +discovery was immediately sent to Kai-kaus, who was delighted to find +that Mazinderan was truly a blessed region, the very garden of beauty, +where the cheeks of the women seemed to be tinted with the hue of the +pomegranate flower, by the gate-keeper of Paradise. + +This invasion filled the heart of the king of Mazinderan with grief and +alarm, and his first care was to call the gigantic White Demon to his +aid. Meanwhile Kai-kaus, full of the wildest anticipations of victory, +was encamped on the plain near the city in splendid state, and preparing +to commence the final overthrow of the enemy on the following day. In +the night, however, a cloud came, and deep darkness like pitch +overspread the earth, and tremendous hail-stones poured down upon the +Persian host, throwing them into the greatest confusion. Thousands were +destroyed, others fled, and were scattered abroad in the gloom. The +morning dawned, but it brought no light to the eyes of Kai-kaus; and +amidst the horrors he experienced, his treasury was captured, and the +soldiers of his army either killed or made prisoners of war. Then did he +bitterly lament that he had not followed the wise counsel of Zal. Seven +days he was involved in this dreadful affliction, and on the eighth day +he heard the roar of the White Demon, saying: + + "O king, thou art the willow-tree, all barren, + With neither fruit, nor flower. What could induce + The dream of conquering Mazinderan? + Hadst thou no friend to warn thee of thy folly? + Hadst thou not heard of the White Demon's power-- + Of him, who from the gorgeous vault of Heaven + Can charm the stars? From this mad enterprise + Others have wisely shrunk--and what hast thou + Accomplished by a more ambitious course? + Thy soldiers have slain many, dire destruction + And spoil have been their purpose--thy wild will + Has promptly been obeyed; but thou art now + Without an army, not one man remains + To lift a sword, or stand in thy defence; + Not one to hear thy groans and thy despair." + +There were selected from the army twelve thousand of the demon-warriors, +to take charge of and hold in custody the Iranian captives, all the +chiefs, as well as the soldiers, being secured with bonds, and only +allowed food enough to keep them alive. Arzang, one of the +demon-leaders, having got possession of the wealth, the crown and +jewels, belonging to Kai-kaus, was appointed to escort the captive king +and his troops, all of whom were deprived of sight, to the city of +Mazinderan, where they were delivered into the hands of the monarch of +that country. The White Demon, after thus putting an end to hostilities, +returned to his own abode. + +Kai-kaus, strictly guarded as he was, found an opportunity of sending an +account of his blind and helpless condition to Zal, in which he lamented +that he had not followed his advice, and urgently requested him, if he +was not himself in confinement, to come to his assistance, and release +him from captivity. When Zal heard the melancholy story, he gnawed the +very skin of his body with vexation, and turning to Rustem, conferred +with him in private. + + "The sword must be unsheathed, since Kai-kaus + Is bound a captive in the dragon's den, + And Rakush must be saddled for the field, + And thou must bear the weight of this emprize; + For I have lived two centuries, and old age + Unfits me for the heavy toils of war. + Should'st thou release the king, thy name will be + Exalted o'er the earth.--Then don thy mail, + And gain immortal honor." + +Rustem replied that it was a long journey to Mazinderan, and that the +king had been six months on the road. Upon this Zal observed that there +were two roads--the most tedious one was that which Kai-kaus had taken; +but by the other, which was full of dangers and difficulty, and lions, +and demons, and sorcery, he might reach Mazinderan in seven days, if he +reached it at all. + +On hearing these words Rustem assented, and chose the short road, +observing: + + "Although it is not wise, they say, + With willing feet to track the way + To hell; though only men who've lost, + All love of life, by misery crossed, + Would rush into the tiger's lair, + And die, poor reckless victims, there; + I gird my loins, whate'er may be, + And trust in God for victory." + +On the following day, resigning himself to the protection of Heaven, he +put on his war attire, and with his favorite horse, Rakush, properly +caparisoned, stood prepared for the journey. His mother, Rudabeh, took +leave of him with great sorrow; and the young hero departed from Sistan, +consoling himself and his friends, thus: + + "O'er him who seeks the battle-field, + Nobly his prisoned king to free, + Heaven will extend its saving shield, + And crown his arms with victory." + + + +THE SEVEN LABORS OF RUSTEM + +First Stage.--He rapidly pursued his way, performing two days' journey +in one, and soon came to a forest full of wild asses. Oppressed with +hunger, he succeeded in securing one of them, which he roasted over a +fire, lighted by sparks produced by striking the point of his spear, and +kept in a blaze with dried grass and branches of trees. After regaling +himself, and satisfying his hunger, he loosened the bridle of Rakush, +and allowed him to graze; and choosing a safe place for repose during +the night, and taking care to have his sword under his head, he went to +sleep among the reeds of that wilderness. In a short space a fierce lion +appeared, and attacked Rakush with great violence; but Rakush very +speedily with his teeth and heels put an end to his furious assailant. +Rustem, awakened by the confusion, and seeing the dead lion before him, +said to his favorite companion:-- + + "Ah! Rakush, why so thoughtless grown, + To fight a lion thus alone; + For had it been thy fate to bleed, + And not thy foe, my gallant steed! + How could thy master have conveyed + His helm, and battle-axe, and blade, + Kamund, and bow, and buberyan, + Unaided, to Mazinderan? + Why didst thou fail to give the alarm, + And save thyself from chance of harm, + By neighing loudly in my ear; + But though thy bold heart knows no fear, + From such unwise exploits refrain, + Nor try a lion's strength again." + +Saying this, Rustem laid down to sleep, and did not awake till the +morning dawned. As the sun rose, he remounted Rakush, and proceeded on +his journey towards Mazinderan. + +Second Stage.--After travelling rapidly for some time, he entered a +desert, in which no water was to be found, and the sand was so burning +hot, that it seemed to be instinct with fire. Both horse and rider were +oppressed with the most maddening thirst. Rustem alighted, and vainly +wandered about in search of relief, till almost exhausted, he put up a +prayer to Heaven for protection against the evils which surrounded him, +engaged as he was in an enterprise for the release of Kai-kaus and the +Persian army, then in the power of the demons. With pious earnestness he +besought the Almighty to bless him in the great work; and whilst in a +despairing mood he was lamenting his deplorable condition, his tongue +and throat being parched with thirst, his body prostrate on the sand, +under the influence of a raging sun, he saw a sheep pass by, which he +hailed as the harbinger of good. Rising up and grasping his sword in his +hand, he followed the animal, and came to a fountain of water, where he +devoutly returned thanks to God for the blessing which had preserved his +existence, and prevented the wolves from feeding on his lifeless limbs. +Refreshed by the cool water, he then looked out for something to allay +his hunger, and killing a gor, he lighted a fire and roasted it, and +regaled upon its savory flesh, which he eagerly tore from the bones. + +When the period of rest arrived, Rustem addressed Rakush, and said to +him angrily:-- + + "Beware, my steed, of future strife. + Again thou must not risk thy life; + Encounter not with lion fell, + Nor demon still more terrible; + But should an enemy appear, + Ring loud the warning in my ear." + +After delivering these injunctions, Rustem laid down to sleep, leaving +Rakush unbridled, and at liberty to crop the herbage close by. + +Third Stage.--At midnight a monstrous dragon-serpent issued from the +forest; it was eighty yards in length, and so fierce, that neither +elephant, nor demon, nor lion, ever ventured to pass by its lair. It +came forth, and seeing the champion asleep, and a horse near him, the +latter was the first object of attack. But Rakush retired towards his +master, and neighed and beat the ground so furiously, that Rustem soon +awoke; looking around on every side, however, he saw nothing--the dragon +had vanished, and he went to sleep again. Again the dragon burst out of +the thick darkness, and again Rakush was at the pillow of his master, +who rose up at the alarm: but anxiously trying to penetrate the dreary +gloom, he saw nothing--all was a blank; and annoyed at this apparently +vexatious conduct of his horse, he spoke sharply:-- + + "Why thus again disturb my rest, + When sleep had softly soothed my breast? + I told thee, if thou chanced to see + Another dangerous enemy, + To sound the alarm; but not to keep + Depriving me of needful sleep; + When nothing meets the eye nor ear, + Nothing to cause a moment's fear! + But if again my rest is broke, + On thee shall fall the fatal stroke, + And I myself will drag this load + Of ponderous arms along the road; + Yes, I will go, a lonely man, + Without thee, to Mazinderan." + +Rustem again went to sleep, and Rakush was resolved this time not to +move a step from his side, for his heart was grieved and afflicted by +the harsh words that had been addressed to him. The dragon again +appeared, and the faithful horse almost tore up the earth with his +heels, to rouse his sleeping master. Rustem again awoke, and sprang to +his feet, and was again angry; but fortunately at that moment sufficient +light was providentially given for him to see the prodigious cause of +alarm. + + Then swift he drew his sword, and closed in strife + With that huge monster.--Dreadful was the shock + And perilous to Rustem; but when Rakush + Perceived the contest doubtful, furiously, + With his keen teeth, he bit and tore away + The dragon's scaly hide; whilst quick as thought + The Champion severed off the ghastly head, + And deluged all the plain with horrid blood. + Amazed to see a form so hideous + Breathless stretched out before him, he returned + Thanks to the Omnipotent for his success, + Saying--"Upheld by thy protecting arm, + What is a lion's strength, a demon's rage, + Or all the horrors of the burning desert, + With not one drop to quench devouring thirst? + Nothing, since power and might proceed from Thee." + +Fourth Stage.--Rustem having resumed the saddle, continued his journey +through an enchanted territory, and in the evening came to a beautifully +green spot, refreshed by flowing rivulets, where he found, to his +surprise, a ready-roasted deer, and some bread and salt. He alighted, +and sat down near the enchanted provisions, which vanished at the sound +of his voice, and presently a tambourine met his eyes, and a flask of +wine. Taking up the instrument he played upon it, and chanted a ditty +about his own wanderings, and the exploits which he most loved. He said +that he had no pleasure in banquets, but only in the field fighting with +heroes and crocodiles in war. The song happened to reach the ears of a +sorceress, who, arrayed in all the charms of beauty, suddenly approached +him, and sat down by his side. The champion put up a prayer of gratitude +for having been supplied with food and wine, and music, in the desert of +Mazinderan, and not knowing that the enchantress was a demon in +disguise, he placed in her hands a cup of wine in the name of God; but +at the mention of the Creator, the enchanted form was converted into a +black fiend. Seeing this, Rustem threw his kamund, and secured the +demon; and, drawing his sword, at once cut the body in two! + +Fifth Stage.-- + + From thence proceeding onward, he approached + A region destitute of light, a void + Of utter darkness. Neither moon nor star + Peep'd through the gloom; no choice of path remained, + And therefore, throwing loose the rein, he gave + Rakush the power to travel on, unguided. + At length the darkness was dispersed, the earth + Became a scene, joyous and light, and gay, + Covered with waving corn--there Rustem paused + And quitting his good steed among the grass, + Laid himself gently down, and, wearied, slept; + His shield beneath his head, his sword before him. + +When the keeper of the forest saw the stranger and his horse, he went to +Rustem, then asleep, and struck his staff violently on the ground, and +having thus awakened the hero, he asked him, devil that he was, why he +had allowed his horse to feed upon the green corn-field. Angry at these +words, Rustem, without uttering a syllable, seized hold of the keeper by +the ears, and wrung them off. The mutilated wretch, gathering up his +severed ears, hurried away, covered with blood, to his master, Aulad, +and told him of the injury he had sustained from a man like a black +demon, with a tiger-skin cuirass and an iron helmet; showing at the same +time the bleeding witnesses of his sufferings. Upon being informed of +this outrageous proceeding, Aulad, burning with wrath, summoned together +his fighting men, and hastened by the directions of the keeper to the +place where Rustem had been found asleep. The champion received the +angry lord of the land, fully prepared, on horseback, and heard him +demand his name, that he might not slay a worthless antagonist, and why +he had torn off the ears of his forest-keeper! Rustem replied that the +very sound of his name would make him shudder with horror. Aulad then +ordered his troops to attack Rustem, and they rushed upon him with great +fury; but their leader was presently killed by the master-hand, and +great numbers were also scattered lifeless over the plain. The survivors +running away, Rustem's next object was to follow and secure, by his +kamund, the person of Aulad, and with admirable address and ingenuity, +he succeeded in dismounting him and taking him alive. He then bound his +hands, and said to him:-- + + "If thou wilt speak the truth unmixed with lies, + Unmixed with false prevaricating words, + And faithfully point out to me the caves + Of the White Demon and his warrior chiefs-- + And where Kaus is prisoned--thy reward + Shall be the kingdom of Mazinderan; + For I, myself, will place thee on that throne. + But if thou play'st me false--thy worthless blood + Shall answer for the foul deception." + + "Stay, + Be not in wrath," Aulad at once replied-- + "Thy wish shall be fulfilled--and thou shalt know + Where king Kaus is prisoned--and, beside, + Where the White Demon reigns. Between two dark + And lofty mountains, in two hundred caves + Immeasurably deep, his people dwell. + Twelve hundred Demons keep the watch by night + And Baid, and Sinja. Like a reed, the hills + Tremble whenever the White Demon moves. + But dangerous is the way. A stony desert + Lies full before thee, which the nimble deer + Has never passed. Then a prodigious stream + Two farsangs wide obstructs thy path, whose banks + Are covered with a host of warrior-Demons, + Guarding the passage to Mazinderan; + And thou art but a single man--canst thou + O'ercome such fearful obstacles as these?" + + At this the Champion smiled. "Show but the way, + And thou shalt see what one man can perform, + With power derived from God! Lead on, with speed, + To royal Kaus." With obedient haste + Aulad proceeded, Rustem following fast, + Mounted on Rakush. Neither dismal night + Nor joyous day they rested--on they went + Until at length they reached the fatal field, + Where Kaus was o'ercome. At midnight hour, + Whilst watching with attentive eye and ear, + A piercing clamor echoed all around, + And blazing fires were seen, and numerous lamps + Burnt bright on every side. Rustem inquired + What this might be. "It is Mazinderan," + Aulad rejoined, "and the White Demon's chiefs + Are gathered there." Then Rustem to a tree + Bound his obedient guide--to keep him safe, + And to recruit his strength, laid down awhile + And soundly slept. + + When morning dawned, he rose, + And mounting Rakush, put his helmet on, + The tiger-skin defended his broad chest, + And sallying forth, he sought the Demon chief, + Arzang, and summoned him with such a roar + That stream and mountain shook. Arzang sprang up, + Hearing a human voice, and from his tent + Indignant issued--him the champion met, + And clutched his arms and ears, and from his body + Tore off the gory head, and cast it far + Amidst the shuddering Demons, who with fear + Shrunk back and fled, precipitate, lest they + Should likewise feel that dreadful punishment. + +Sixth Stage.--After this achievement Rustem returned to the place where +he had left Aulad, and having released him, sat down under the tree and +related what he had done. He then commanded his guide to show the way to +the place where Kai-kaus was confined; and when the champion entered the +city of Mazinderan, the neighing of Rakush was so loud that the sound +distinctly reached the ears of the captive monarch. Kaus rejoiced, and +said to his people: "I have heard the voice of Rakush, and my +misfortunes are at an end;" but they thought he was either insane or +telling them a dream. The actual appearance of Rustem, however, soon +satisfied them. Gudarz, and Tus, and Bahram, and Giw, and Gustahem, were +delighted to meet him, and the king embraced him with great warmth and +affection, and heard from him with admiration the story of his wonderful +progress and exploits. But Kaus and his warriors, under the influence +and spells of the Demons, were still blind, and he cautioned Rustem +particularly to conceal Rakush from the sight of the sorcerers, for if +the White Demon should hear of the slaughter of Arzang, and the +conqueror being at Mazinderan, he would immediately assemble an +overpowering army of Demons, and the consequences might be terrible. + + "But thou must storm the cavern of the Demons + And their gigantic chief--great need there is + For sword and battle-axe--and with the aid + Of Heaven, these miscreant sorcerers may fall + Victims to thy avenging might. The road + Is straight before thee--reach the Seven Mountains, + And there thou wilt discern the various groups, + Which guard the awful passage. Further on, + Within a deep and horrible recess, + Frowns the White Demon--conquer him--destroy + That fell magician, and restore to sight + Thy suffering king, and all his warrior train. + The wise in cures declare, that the warm blood + From the White Demon's heart, dropped in the eye, + Removes all blindness--it is, then, my hope, + Favored by God, that thou wilt slay the fiend, + And save us from the misery we endure, + The misery of darkness without end." + +Rustem accordingly, after having warned his friends and companions in +arms to keep on the alert, prepared for the enterprise, and guided by +Aulad, hurried on till he came to the Haft-koh, or Seven Mountains. +There he found numerous companies of Demons; and coming to one of the +caverns, saw it crowded with the same awful beings. And now consulting +with Aulad, he was informed that the most advantageous time for attack +would be when the sun became hot, for then all the Demons were +accustomed to go to sleep, with the exception of a very small number who +were appointed to keep watch. He therefore waited till the sun rose high +in the firmament; and as soon as he had bound Aulad to a tree hand and +foot, with the thongs of his kamund, drew his sword, and rushed among +the prostrate Demons, dismembering and slaying all that fell in his way. +Dreadful was the carnage, and those who survived fled in the wildest +terror from the champion's fury. + +Seventh Stage.--Rustem now hastened forward to encounter the White +Demon. + + Advancing to the cavern, he looked down + And saw a gloomy place, dismal as hell; + But not one cursed, impious sorcerer + Was visible in that infernal depth. + Awhile he stood--his falchion in his grasp, + And rubbed his eyes to sharpen his dim sight, + And then a mountain-form, covered with hair, + Filling up all the space, rose into view. + The monster was asleep, but presently + The daring shouts of Rustem broke his rest, + And brought him suddenly upon his feet, + When seizing a huge mill-stone, forth he came, + And thus accosted the intruding chief: + "Art thou so tired of life, that reckless thus + Thou dost invade the precincts of the Demons? + Tell me thy name, that I may not destroy + A nameless thing!" The champion stern replied, + "My name is Rustem--sent by Zal, my father, + Descended from the champion Sam Suwar, + To be revenged on thee--the King of Persia + Being now a prisoner in Mazinderan." + When the accursed Demon heard the name + Of Sam Suwar, he, like a serpent, writhed + In agony of spirit; terrified + At that announcement--then, recovering strength, + He forward sprang, and hurled the mill-stone huge + Against his adversary, who fell back + And disappointed the prodigious blow. + Black frowned the Demon, and through Rustem's heart + A wild sensation ran of dire alarm; + But, rousing up, his courage was revived, + And wielding furiously his beaming sword, + He pierced the Demon's thigh, and lopped the limb; + Then both together grappled, and the cavern + Shook with the contest--each, at times, prevailed; + The flesh of both was torn, and streaming blood + Crimsoned the earth. "If I survive this day," + Said Rustem in his heart, in that dread strife, + "My life must be immortal." The White Demon, + With equal terror, muttered to himself: + "I now despair of life--sweet life; no more + Shall I be welcomed at Mazinderan." + And still they struggled hard--still sweat and blood + Poured down at every strain. Rustem, at last, + Gathering fresh power, vouchsafed by favouring Heaven + And bringing all his mighty strength to bear, + Raised up the gasping Demon in his arms, + And with such fury dashed him to the ground, + That life no longer moved his monstrous frame. + Promptly he then tore out the reeking heart, + And crowds of demons simultaneous fell + As part of him, and stained the earth with gore; + Others who saw this signal overthrow, + Trembled, and hurried from the scene of blood. + Then the great victor, issuing from that cave + With pious haste--took off his helm, and mail, + And royal girdle--and with water washed + His face and body--choosing a pure place + For prayer--to praise his Maker--Him who gave + The victory, the eternal source of good; + Without whose grace and blessing, what is man! + With it his armor is impregnable. + +The Champion having finished his prayer, resumed his war habiliments, +and going to Aulad, released him from the tree, and gave into his charge +the heart of the White Demon. He then pursued his journey back to Kaus +at Mazinderan. On the way Aulad solicited some reward for the services +he had performed, and Rustem again promised that he should be appointed +governor of the country. + + "But first the monarch of Mazinderan, + The Demon-king, must be subdued, and cast + Into the yawning cavern--and his legions + Of foul enchanters, utterly destroyed." + +Upon his arrival at Mazinderan, Rustem related to his sovereign all that +he had accomplished, and especially that he had torn out and brought +away the White Demon's heart, the blood of which was destined to restore +Kai-kaus and his warriors to sight. Rustem was not long in applying the +miraculous remedy, and the moment the blood touched their eyes, the +fearful blindness was perfectly cured. + + The champion brought the Demon's heart, + And squeezed the blood from every part, + Which, dropped upon the injured sight, + Made all things visible and bright; + One moment broke that magic gloom, + Which seemed more dreadful than the tomb. + +The monarch immediately ascended his throne surrounded by all his +warriors, and seven days were spent in mutual congratulations and +rejoicing. On the eighth day they all resumed the saddle, and proceeded +to complete the destruction of the enemy. They set fire to the city, and +burnt it to the ground, and committed such horrid carnage among the +remaining magicians that streams of loathsome blood crimsoned all the +place. + +Kaus afterwards sent Ferhad as an ambassador to the king of Mazinderan, +suggesting to him the expediency of submission, and representing to him +the terrible fall of Arzang, and of the White Demon with all his host, +as a warning against resistance to the valor of Rustem. But when the +king of Mazinderan heard from Ferhad the purpose of his embassy, he +expressed great astonishment, and replied that he himself was superior +in all respects to Kaus; that his empire was more extensive, and his +warriors more numerous and brave. "Have I not," said he, "a hundred +war-elephants, and Kaus not one? Wherever I move, conquest marks my way; +why then should I fear the sovereign of Persia? Why should I submit to +him?" + +This haughty tone made a deep impression upon Ferhad, who returning +quickly, told Kaus of the proud bearing and fancied power of the ruler +of Mazinderan. Rustem was immediately sent for; and so indignant was he +on hearing the tidings, that "every hair on his body started up like a +spear," and he proposed to go himself with a second dispatch. The king +was too much pleased to refuse, and another letter was written more +urgent than the first, threatening the enemy to hang up his severed head +on the walls of his own fort, if he persisted in his contumacy and scorn +of the offer made. + +As soon as Rustem had come within a short distance of the court of the +king of Mazinderan, accounts reached his majesty of the approach of +another ambassador, when a deputation of warriors was sent to receive +him. Rustem observing them, and being in sight of the hostile army, with +a view to show his strength, tore up a large tree on the road by the +roots, and dexterously wielded it in his hand like a spear. Tilting +onwards, he flung it down before the wondering enemy, and one of the +chiefs then thought it incumbent upon him to display his own prowess. He +advanced, and offered to grasp hands with Rustem: they met; but the +gripe of the champion was so excruciating that the sinews of his +adversary cracked, and in agony he fell from his horse. Intelligence of +this discomfiture was instantly conveyed to the king, who then summoned +his most valiant and renowned chieftain, Kalahur, and directed him to go +and punish, signally, the warrior who had thus presumed to triumph over +one of his heroes. Accordingly Kalahur appeared, and boastingly +stretched out his hand, which Rustem wrung with such grinding force, +that the very nails dropped off, and blood started from his body. This +was enough, and Kalahur hastily returned to the king, and anxiously +recommended him to submit to terms, as it would be in vain to oppose +such invincible strength. The king was both grieved and angry at this +situation of affairs, and invited the ambassador to his presence. After +inquiring respecting Kaus and the Persian army, he said: + + "And thou art Rustem, clothed with mighty power, + Who slaughtered the White Demon, and now comest + To crush the monarch of Mazinderan!" + "No!" said the champion, "I am but his servant, + And even unworthy of that noble station; + My master being a warrior, the most valiant + That ever graced the world since time began. + Nothing am I; but what doth he resemble! + What is a lion, elephant, or demon! + Engaged in fight, he is himself a host!" + +The ambassador then tried to convince the king of the folly of +resistance, and of his certain defeat if he continued to defy the power +of Kaus and the bravery of Rustem; but the effort was fruitless, and +both states prepared for battle. + +The engagement which ensued was obstinate and sanguinary, and after +seven days of hard fighting, neither army was victorious, neither +defeated. Afflicted at this want of success, Kaus grovelled in the dust, +and prayed fervently to the Almighty to give him the triumph. He +addressed all his warriors, one by one, and urged them to increased +exertions; and on the eighth day, when the battle was renewed, prodigies +of valor were performed. Rustem singled out, and encountered the king of +Mazinderan, and fiercely they fought together with sword and javelin; +but suddenly, just as he was rushing on with overwhelming force, his +adversary, by his magic art, transformed himself into a stony rock. +Rustem and the Persian warriors were all amazement. The fight had been +suspended for some time, when Kaus came forward to inquire the cause; +and hearing with astonishment of the transformation, ordered his +soldiers to drag the enchanted mass towards his own tent; but all the +strength that could be applied was unequal to move so great a weight, +till Rustem set himself to the task, and amidst the wondering army, +lifted up the rock and conveyed it to the appointed place. He then +addressed the work of sorcery, and said: "If thou dost not resume thy +original shape, I will instantly break thee, flinty-rock as thou now +art, into atoms, and scatter thee in the dust." The magician-king was +alarmed by this threat, and reappeared in his own form, and then Rustem, +seizing his hand, brought him to Kaus, who, as a punishment for his +wickedness and atrocity, ordered him to be slain, and his body to be cut +into a thousand pieces! The wealth of the country was immediately +afterwards secured; and at the recommendation of Rustem, Aulad was +appointed governor of Mazinderan. After the usual thanksgivings and +rejoicings on account of the victory, Kaus and his warriors returned to +Persia, where splendid honors and rewards were bestowed on every soldier +for his heroic services. Rustem having received the highest +acknowledgments of his merit, took leave, and returned to his father Zal +at Zabulistan. + +Suddenly an ardent desire arose in the heart of Kaus to survey all the +provinces and states of his empire. He wished to visit Turan, and Chin, +and Mikran, and Berber, and Zirra. Having commenced his royal tour of +inspection, he found the King of Berberistan in a state of rebellion, +with his army prepared to dispute his authority. A severe battle was the +consequence; but the refractory sovereign was soon compelled to retire, +and the elders of the city came forward to sue for mercy and protection. +After this triumph, Kaus turned towards the mountain Kaf, and visited +various other countries, and in his progress became the guest of the son +of Zal in Zabulistan where he stayed a month, enjoying the pleasures of +the festive board and the sports of the field. + +The disaffection of the King of Hamaveran, in league with the King of +Misser and Sham, and the still hostile King of Berberistan, soon, +however, drew him from Nim-ruz, and quitting the principality of Rustem, +his arms were promptly directed against his new enemy, who in the +contest which ensued, made an obstinate resistance, but was at length +overpowered, and obliged to ask for quarter. After the battle, Kaus was +informed that the Shah had a daughter of great beauty, named Sudaveh, +possessing a form as graceful as the tall cypress, musky ringlets, and +all the charms of Heaven. From the description of this damsel he became +enamoured, and through the medium of a messenger, immediately offered +himself to be her husband. The father did not seem to be glad at this +proposal, observing to the messenger, that he had but two things in life +valuable to him, and those were his daughter and his property; one was +his solace and delight, and the other his support; to be deprived of +both would be death to him; still he could not gainsay the wishes of a +king of such power, and his conqueror. He then sorrowfully communicated +the overture to his child, who, however, readily consented; and in the +course of a week, the bride was sent escorted by soldiers, and +accompanied by a magnificent cavalcade, consisting of a thousand horses +and mules, a thousand camels, and numerous female attendants. When +Sudaveh descended from her litter, glowing with beauty, with her rich +dark tresses flowing to her feet, and cheeks like the rose, Kaus +regarded her with admiration and rapture; and so impatient was he to +possess that lovely treasure, that the marriage rites were performed +according to the laws of the country without delay. + +The Shah of Hamaveran, however, was not satisfied, and he continually +plotted within himself how he might contrive to regain possession of +Sudaveh, as well as be revenged upon the king. With this view he invited +Kaus to be his guest for a while; but Sudaveh cautioned the king not to +trust to the treachery which dictated the invitation, as she apprehended +from it nothing but mischief and disaster. The warning, however, was of +no avail, for Kaus accepted the proffered hospitality of his new +father-in-law. He accordingly proceeded with his bride and his most +famous warriors to the city, where he was received and entertained in +the most sumptuous manner, seated on a gorgeous throne, and felt +infinitely exhilarated with the magnificence and the hilarity by which +he was surrounded. Seven days were passed in this glorious banqueting +and delight; but on the succeeding night, the sound of trumpets and the +war-cry was heard. The intrusion of soldiers changed the face of the +scene; and the king, who had just been waited on, and pampered with such +respect and devotion, was suddenly seized, together with his principal +warriors, and carried off to a remote fortress, situated on a high +mountain, where they were imprisoned, and guarded by a thousand valiant +men. His tents were plundered, and all his treasure taken away. At this +event his wife was inconsolable and deaf to all entreaties from her +father, declaring that she preferred death to separation from her +husband; upon which she was conveyed to the same dungeon, to mingle +groans with the captive king. + + Alas! how false and fickle is the world, + Friendship nor pleasure, nor the ties of blood, + Can check the headlong course of human passions; + Treachery still laughs at kindred;--who is safe + In this tumultuous sphere of strife and sorrow? + + + +INVASION OF IRAN BY AFRASIYAB + +The intelligence of Kaus's imprisonment was very soon spread through the +world, and operated as a signal to all the inferior states to get +possession of Iran. Afrasiyab was the most powerful aspirant to the +throne; and gathering an immense army, he hurried from Turan, and made a +rapid incursion into the country, which after three months he succeeded +in conquering, scattering ruin and desolation wherever he came. + +Some of those who escaped from the field bent their steps towards +Zabulistan, by whom Rustem was informed of the misfortunes in which Kaus +was involved; it therefore became necessary that he should again +endeavor to effect the liberation of his sovereign; and accordingly, +after assembling his troops from different quarters, the first thing he +did was to despatch a messenger to Hamaveran, with a letter, demanding +the release of the prisoners; and in the event of a refusal, declaring +the king should suffer the same fate as the White Demon and the +magician-monarch of Mazinderan. Although this threat produced +considerable alarm in the breast of the king of Hamaveran, he arrogantly +replied, that if Rustem wished to be placed in the same situation as +Kaus, he was welcome to come as soon as he liked. + +Upon hearing this defiance, Rustem left Zabulistan, and after an arduous +journey by land and water, arrived at the confines of Hamaveran. The +king of that country, roused by the noise and uproar, and bold aspect of +the invading army, drew up his own forces, and a battle ensued, but he +was unequal to stand his ground before the overwhelming courage of +Rustem. His troops fled in confusion, and then almost in despair he +anxiously solicited assistance from the chiefs of Berber and Misser, +which was immediately given. Thus three kings and their armies were +opposed to the power and resources of one man. Their formidable array +covered an immense space. + + Each proud his strongest force to bring, + The eagle of valour flapped his wing. + +But when the King of Hamaveran beheld the person of Rustem in all its +pride and strength, and commanding power, he paused with apprehension +and fear, and intrenched himself well behind his own troops. Rustem, on +the contrary, was full of confidence. + + "What, though there be a hundred thousand men + Pitched against one, what use is there in numbers + When Heaven is on my side: with Heaven my friend, + The foe will soon be mingled with the dust." + +Having ordered the trumpets to sound, he rushed on the enemy, mounted on +Rakush, and committed dreadful havoc among them. + + It would be difficult to tell + How many heads, dissevered, fell, + Fighting his dreadful way; + On every side his falchion gleamed, + Hot blood in every quarter streamed + On that tremendous day. + +The chief of Hamaveran and his legions were the first to shrink from the +conflict; and then the King of Misser, ashamed of their cowardice, +rapidly advanced towards the champion with the intention of punishing +him for his temerity, but he had no sooner received one of Rustem's hard +blows on his head, than he turned to flight, and thus hoped to escape +the fury of his antagonist. That fortune, however, was denied him, for +being instantly pursued, he was caught with the kamund, or noose, thrown +round his loins, dragged from his horse, and safely delivered into the +hands of Bahram, who bound him, and kept him by his side. + + Ring within ring the lengthening kamund flew, + And from his steed the astonished monarch drew. + +Having accomplished this signal capture, Rustem proceeded against the +troops under the Shah of Berberistan, which, valorously aided as he was, +by Zuara, he soon vanquished and dispatched; and impelling Rakush +impetuously forward upon the shah himself, made him and forty of his +principal chiefs prisoners of war. The King of Hamaveran, seeing the +horrible carnage, and the defeat of all his expectations, speedily sent +a messenger to Rustem, to solicit a suspension of the fight, offering to +deliver up Kaus and all his warriors, and all the regal property and +treasure which had been plundered from him. The troops of the three +kingdoms also urgently prayed for quarter and protection, and Rustem +readily agreed to the proffered conditions. + + "Kaus to liberty restore, + With all his chiefs, I ask no more; + For him alone I conquering came; + Than him no other prize I claim." + + + +THE RETURN OF KAI-KAUS + +It was a joyous day when Kaus and his illustrious heroes were released +from their fetters, and removed from the mountain-fortress in which they +were confined. Rustem forthwith reseated him on his throne, and did not +fail to collect for the public treasury all the valuables of the three +states which had submitted to his power. The troops of Misser, +Berberistan, and Hamaveran, having declared their allegiance to the +Persian king, the accumulated numbers increased Kaus's army to upwards +of three hundred thousand men, horse and foot, and with this immense +force he moved towards Iran. Before marching, however, he sent a message +to Afrasiyab, commanding him to quit the country he had so unjustly +invaded, and recommending him to be contented with the territory of +Turan. + + "Hast thou forgotten Rustem's power, + When thou wert in that perilous hour + By him overthrown? Thy girdle broke, + Or thou hadst felt the conqueror's yoke. + Thy crowding warriors proved thy shield, + They saved and dragged thee from the field; + By them unrescued then, wouldst thou + Have lived to vaunt thy prowess now?" + +This message was received with bitter feelings of resentment by +Afrasiyab, who prepared his army for battle without delay, and promised +to bestow his daughter in marriage and a kingdom upon the man who should +succeed in taking Rustem alive. + +This proclamation was a powerful excitement: and when the engagement +took place, mighty efforts were made for the reward; but those who +aspired to deserve it were only the first to fall. Afrasiyab beholding +the fall of so many of his chiefs, dashed forward to cope with the +champion: but his bravery was unavailing; for, suffering sharply under +the overwhelming attacks of Rustem, he was glad to effect his escape, +and retire from the field. In short, he rapidly retraced his steps to +Turan, leaving Kaus in full possession of the kingdom. + + With anguish stricken, he regained his home, + After a wild and ignominious flight; + The world presenting nothing to his lips + But poison-beverage; all was death to him. + +Kaus being again seated on the throne of Persia, he resumed the +administration of affairs with admirable justice and liberality, and +despatched some of his most distinguished warriors to secure the welfare +and prosperity of the states of Mervi, and Balkh, and Nishapur, and +Hirat. At the same time he conferred on Rustem the title of Jahani +Pahlvan, or, Champion of the World. + +In safety now from foreign and domestic enemies, Kaus turned his +attention to pursuits very different from war and conquest. He directed +the Demons to construct two splendid palaces on the mountain Alberz, and +separate mansions for the accommodation of his household, which he +decorated in the most magnificent manner. All the buildings were +beautifully arranged both for convenience and pleasure; and gold and +silver and precious stones were used so lavishly, and the brilliancy +produced by their combined effect was so great, that night and day +appeared to be the same. + +Iblis, ever active, observing the vanity and ambition of the king, was +not long in taking advantage of the circumstance, and he soon persuaded +the Demons to enter into his schemes. Accordingly one of them, disguised +as a domestic servant, was instructed to present a nosegay to Kaus; and +after respectfully kissing the ground, say to him:-- + + "Thou art great as king can be, + Boundless in thy majesty; + What is all this earth to thee, + All beneath the sky? + Peris, mortals, demons, hear + Thy commanding voice with fear; + Thou art lord of all things here, + But, thou canst not fly! + + "That remains for thee; to know + Things above, as things below, + How the planets roll; + How the sun his light displays, + How the moon darts forth her rays; + How the nights succeed the days; + What the secret cause betrays, + And who directs the whole!" + +This artful address of the Demon satisfied Kaus of the imperfection of +his nature, and the enviable power which he had yet to obtain. To him, +therefore, it became matter of deep concern, how he might be enabled to +ascend the Heavens without wings, and for that purpose he consulted his +astrologers, who presently suggested a way in which his desires might be +successfully accomplished. + +They contrived to rob an eagle's nest of its young, which they reared +with great care, supplying them well with invigorating food, till they +grew large and strong. A framework of aloes-wood was then prepared; and +at each of the four corners was fixed perpendicularly, a javelin, +surmounted on the point with flesh of a goat. At each corner again one +of the eagles was bound, and in the middle Kaus was seated in great pomp +with a goblet of wine before him. As soon as the eagles became hungry, +they endeavored to get at the goat's flesh upon the javelins, and by +flapping their wings and flying upwards, they quickly raised up the +throne from the ground. Hunger still pressing them, and still being +distant from their prey, they ascended higher and higher in the clouds, +conveying the astonished king far beyond his own country; but after long +and fruitless exertion their strength failed them, and unable to keep +their way, the whole fabric came tumbling down from the sky, and fell +upon a dreary solitude in the kingdom of Chin. There Kaus was left, a +prey to hunger, alone, and in utter despair, until he was discovered by +a band of Demons, whom his anxious ministers had sent in search of him. + +Rustem, and Gudarz, and Tus, at length heard of what had befallen the +king, and with feelings of sorrow not unmixed with indignation, set off +to his assistance. "Since I was born," said Gudarz, "never did I see +such a man as Kaus. He seems to be entirely destitute of reason and +understanding; always in distress and affliction. This is the third +calamity in which he has wantonly involved himself. First at Mazinderan, +then at Hamaveran, and now he is being punished for attempting to +discover the secrets of the Heavens!" When they reached the wilderness +into which Kaus had fallen, Gudarz repeated to him the same +observations, candidly telling him that he was fitter for a mad-house +than a throne, and exhorting him to be satisfied with his lot and be +obedient to God, the creator of all things. The miserable king was +softened to tears, acknowledged his folly; and as soon as he was +escorted back to his palace, he shut himself up, remaining forty days, +unseen, prostrating himself in shame and repentance. After that he +recovered his spirits, and resumed the administration of affairs with +his former liberality, clemency, and justice, almost rivalling the glory +of Feridun and Jemshid. + +One day Rustem made a splendid feast; and whilst he and his brother +warriors, Giw and Gudarz, and Tus, were quaffing their wine, it was +determined upon to form a pretended hunting party, and repair to the +sporting grounds of Afrasiyab. The feast lasted seven days; and on the +eighth, preparations were made for the march, an advance party being +pushed on to reconnoitre the motions of the enemy. Afrasiyab was soon +informed of what was going on, and flattered himself with the hopes of +getting Rustem and his seven champions into his thrall, for which +purpose he called together his wise men and warriors, and said to them: +"You have only to secure these invaders, and Kaus will soon cease to be +the sovereign of Persia." To accomplish this object, a Turanian army of +thirty thousand veterans was assembled, and ordered to occupy all the +positions and avenues in the vicinity of the sporting grounds. An +immense clamor, and thick clouds of dust, which darkened the skies, +announced their approach; and when intelligence of their numbers was +brought to Rustem, the undaunted champion smiled, and said to Garaz: +"Fortune favors me; what cause is there to fear the king of Turan? his +army does not exceed a hundred thousand men. Were I alone, with Rakush, +with my armor, and battle-axe, I would not shrink from his legions. Have +I not seven companions in arms, and is not one of them equal to five +hundred Turanian heroes? Let Afrasiyab dare to cross the boundary-river, +and the contest will presently convince him that he has only sought his +own defeat." Promptly at a signal the cup-bearer produced goblets of the +red wine of Zabul; and in one of them Rustem pledged his royal master +with loyalty, and Tus and Zuara joined in the convivial and social +demonstration of attachment to the king. + +The champion arrayed in his buburiyan, mounted Rakush, and advanced +towards the Turanian army. Afrasiyab, when he beheld him in all his +terrible strength and vigor, was amazed and disheartened, accompanied, +as he was, by Tus, and Gudarz, and Gurgin, and Giw, and Bahram, and +Berzin, and Ferhad. The drums and trumpets of Rustem were now heard, and +immediately the hostile forces engaged with dagger, sword, and javelin. +Dreadful was the onset, and the fury with which the conflict was +continued. In truth, so sanguinary and destructive was the battle that +Afrasiyab exclaimed in grief and terror: "If this carnage lasts till the +close of day, not a man of my army will remain alive. Have I not one +warrior endued with sufficient bravery to oppose and subdue this mighty +Rustem? What! not one fit to be rewarded with a diadem, with my own +throne and kingdom, which I will freely give to the victor!" Pilsum +heard the promise, and was ambitious of earning the reward; but fate +decreed it otherwise. His prodigious efforts were of no avail. Alkus was +equally unsuccessful, though the bravest of the brave among the Turanian +warriors. Encountering Rustem, his brain was pierced by a javelin +wielded by the Persian hero, and he fell dead from his saddle. This +signal achievement astonished and terrified the Turanians, who, however, +made a further despairing effort against the champion and his seven +conquering companions, but with no better result than before, and +nothing remained to them excepting destruction or flight. Choosing the +latter they wheeled round, and endeavored to escape from the sanguinary +fate that awaited them. + +Seeing this precipitate movement of the enemy, Rustem impelled Rakush +forward in pursuit, addressing his favorite horse with fondness and +enthusiasm:-- + + "My valued friend--put forth thy speed, + This is a time of pressing need; + Bear me away amidst the strife, + That I may take that despot's life; + And with my mace and javelin, flood + This dusty plain with foe-man's blood." + + Excited by his master's cry, + The war-horse bounded o'er the plain, + So swiftly that he seemed to fly, + Snorting with pride, and tossing high + His streaming mane. + + And soon he reached that despot's side, + "Now is the time!" the Champion cried, + "This is the hour to victory given," + And flung his noose--which bound the king + Fast for a moment in its ring; + But soon, alas! the bond was riven. + + Haply the Tartar-monarch slipt away, + Not doomed to suffer on that bloody day; + And freed from thrall, he hurrying led + His legions cross the boundary-stream, + Leaving his countless heaps of dead + To rot beneath the solar beam. + + Onward he rushed with heart opprest, + And broken fortunes; he had quaffed + Bright pleasure's cup--but now, unblest, + Poison was mingled with the draught! + +The booty in horses, treasure, armor, pavilions, and tents, was immense; +and when the whole was secured, Rustem and his companions fell back to +the sporting-grounds already mentioned, from whence he informed Kai-kaus +by letter of the victory that had been gained. After remaining two weeks +there, resting from the toils of war and enjoying the pleasures of +hunting, the party returned home to pay their respects to the Persian +king: + + And this is life! Thus conquest and defeat, + Vary the lights and shades of human scenes, + And human thought. Whilst some, immersed in pleasure, + Enjoy the sweets, others again endure + The miseries of the world. Hope is deceived + In this frail dwelling; certainty and safety + Are only dreams which mock the credulous mind; + Time sweeps o'er all things; why then should the wise + Mourn o'er events which roll resistless on, + And set at nought all mortal opposition? + + + +STORY OF SOHRAB + + O ye, who dwell in Youth's inviting bowers, + Waste not, in useless joy, your fleeting hours, + But rather let the tears of sorrow roll, + And sad reflection fill the conscious soul. + For many a jocund spring has passed away, + And many a flower has blossomed, to decay; + And human life, still hastening to a close, + Finds in the worthless dust its last repose. + Still the vain world abounds in strife and hate, + And sire and son provoke each other's fate; + And kindred blood by kindred hands is shed, + And vengeance sleeps not--dies not, with the dead. + All nature fades--the garden's treasures fall, + Young bud, and citron ripe--all perish, all. + + And now a tale of sorrow must be told, + A tale of tears, derived from Mubid old, + And thus remembered.-- + + With the dawn of day, + Rustem arose, and wandering took his way, + Armed for the chase, where sloping to the sky, + Turan's lone wilds in sullen grandeur lie; + There, to dispel his melancholy mood, + He urged his matchless steed through glen and wood. + Flushed with the noble game which met his view, + He starts the wild-ass o'er the glistening dew; + And, oft exulting, sees his quivering dart, + Plunge through the glossy skin, and pierce the heart. + Tired of the sport, at length, he sought the shade, + Which near a stream embowering trees displayed, + And with his arrow's point, a fire he raised, + And thorns and grass before him quickly blazed. + The severed parts upon a bough he cast, + To catch the flames; and when the rich repast + Was drest; with flesh and marrow, savory food, + He quelled his hunger; and the sparkling flood + That murmured at his feet, his thirst represt; + Then gentle sleep composed his limbs to rest. + + Meanwhile his horse, for speed and form renown'd, + Ranged o'er the plain with flowery herbage crown'd, + Encumbering arms no more his sides opprest, + No folding mail confined his ample chest,[12] + Gallant and free, he left the Champion's side, + And cropp'd the mead, or sought the cooling tide; + When lo! it chanced amid that woodland chase, + A band of horsemen, rambling near the place, + Saw, with surprise, superior game astray, + And rushed at once to seize the noble prey; + But, in the imminent struggle, two beneath + His steel-clad hoofs received the stroke of death; + One proved a sterner fate--for downward borne, + The mangled head was from the shoulders torn. + Still undismayed, again they nimbly sprung, + And round his neck the noose entangling flung: + Now, all in vain, he spurns the smoking ground, + In vain the tumult echoes all around; + They bear him off, and view, with ardent eyes, + His matchless beauty and majestic size; + Then soothe his fury, anxious to obtain, + A bounding steed of his immortal strain. + + When Rustem woke, and miss'd his favourite horse, + The loved companion of his glorious course; + Sorrowing he rose, and, hastening thence, began + To shape his dubious way to Samengan; + "Reduced to journey thus, alone!" he said, + "How pierce the gloom which thickens round my head; + Burthen'd, on foot, a dreary waste in view, + Where shall I bend my steps, what path pursue? + The scoffing Turks will cry, 'Behold our might! + We won the trophy from the Champion-knight! + From him who, reckless of his fame and pride, + Thus idly slept, and thus ignobly died,'" + Girding his loins he gathered from the field, + His quivered stores, his beamy sword and shield, + Harness and saddle-gear were o'er him slung. + Bridle and mail across his shoulders hung.[13] + Then looking round, with anxious eye, to meet, + The broad impression of his charger's feet, + The track he hail'd, and following, onward prest. + While grief and hope alternate filled his breast. + + O'er vale and wild-wood led, he soon descries. + The regal city's shining turrets rise. + And when the Champion's near approach is known, + The usual homage waits him to the throne. + The king, on foot, received his welcome guest + With preferred friendship, and his coming blest: + But Rustem frowned, and with resentment fired, + Spoke of his wrongs, the plundered steed required. + "I've traced his footsteps to your royal town, + Here must he be, protected by your crown; + But if retained, if not from fetters freed, + My vengeance shall o'ertake the felon-deed." + "My honored guest!" the wondering King replied-- + "Shall Rustem's wants or wishes be denied? + But let not anger, headlong, fierce, and blind, + O'ercloud the virtues of a generous mind. + If still within the limits of my reign, + The well known courser shall be thine again: + For Rakush never can remain concealed, + No more than Rustem in the battle-field! + Then cease to nourish useless rage, and share + With joyous heart my hospitable fare." + + The son of Zal now felt his wrath subdued, + And glad sensations in his soul renewed. + The ready herald by the King's command, + Convened the Chiefs and Warriors of the land; + And soon the banquet social glee restored, + And China wine-cups glittered on the board; + And cheerful song, and music's magic power, + And sparkling wine, beguiled the festive hour. + The dulcet draughts o'er Rustem's senses stole, + And melting strains absorbed his softened soul. + But when approached the period of repose, + All, prompt and mindful, from the banquet rose; + A couch was spread well worthy such a guest, + Perfumed with rose and musk; and whilst at rest, + In deep sound sleep, the wearied Champion lay, + Forgot were all the sorrows of the way. + + One watch had passed, and still sweet slumber shed + Its magic power around the hero's head-- + When forth Tahmineh came--a damsel held + An amber taper, which the gloom dispelled, + And near his pillow stood; in beauty bright, + The monarch's daughter struck his wondering sight. + Clear as the moon, in glowing charms arrayed, + Her winning eyes the light of heaven displayed; + Her cypress form entranced the gazer's view, + Her waving curls, the heart, resistless, drew, + Her eye-brows like the Archer's bended bow; + Her ringlets, snares; her cheek, the rose's glow, + Mixed with the lily--from her ear-tips hung + Rings rich and glittering, star-like; and her tongue, + And lips, all sugared sweetness--pearls the while + Sparkled within a mouth formed to beguile. + Her presence dimmed the stars, and breathing round + Fragrance and joy, she scarcely touched the ground, + So light her step, so graceful--every part + Perfect, and suited to her spotless heart. + + Rustem, surprised, the gentle maid addressed, + And asked what lovely stranger broke his rest. + "What is thy name," he said--"what dost thou seek + Amidst the gloom of night? Fair vision, speak!" + + "O thou," she softly sigh'd, "of matchless fame! + With pity hear, Tahmineh is my name! + The pangs of love my anxious heart employ, + And flattering promise long-expected joy; + No curious eye has yet these features seen, + My voice unheard, beyond the sacred screen.[14] + How often have I listened with amaze, + To thy great deeds, enamoured of thy praise; + How oft from every tongue I've heard the strain, + And thought of thee--and sighed, and sighed again. + The ravenous eagle, hovering o'er his prey, + Starts at thy gleaming sword and flies away: + Thou art the slayer of the Demon brood, + And the fierce monsters of the echoing wood. + Where'er thy mace is seen, shrink back the bold, + Thy javelin's flash all tremble to behold. + Enchanted with the stories of thy fame, + My fluttering heart responded to thy name; + And whilst their magic influence I felt, + In prayer for thee devotedly I knelt; + And fervent vowed, thus powerful glory charms, + No other spouse should bless my longing arms. + Indulgent heaven propitious to my prayer, + Now brings thee hither to reward my care. + Turan's dominions thou hast sought, alone, + By night, in darkness--thou, the mighty one! + O claim my hand, and grant my soul's desire; + Ask me in marriage of my royal sire; + Perhaps a boy our wedded love may crown, + Whose strength like thine may gain the world's renown. + Nay more--for Samengan will keep my word-- + Rakush to thee again shall be restored." + + The damsel thus her ardent thought expressed, + And Rustem's heart beat joyous in his breast, + Hearing her passion--not a word was lost, + And Rakush safe, by him still valued most; + He called her near; with graceful step she came, + And marked with throbbing pulse his kindled flame. + + And now a Mubid, from the Champion-knight, + Requests the royal sanction to the rite; + O'erjoyed, the King the honoured suit approves, + O'erjoyed to bless the doting child he loves, + And happier still, in showering smiles around, + To be allied to warrior so renowned. + When the delighted father, doubly blest, + Resigned his daughter to his glorious guest, + The people shared the gladness which it gave, + The union of the beauteous and the brave. + To grace their nuptial day--both old and young, + The hymeneal gratulations sung: + "May this young moon bring happiness and joy, + And every source of enmity destroy." + The marriage-bower received the happy pair, + And love and transport shower'd their blessings there. + + Ere from his lofty sphere the morn had thrown + His glittering radiance, and in splendour shone, + The mindful Champion, from his sinewy arm, + His bracelet drew, the soul-ennobling charm; + And, as he held the wondrous gift with pride, + He thus address'd his love-devoted bride! + "Take this," he said, "and if, by gracious heaven, + A daughter for thy solace should be given, + Let it among her ringlets be displayed, + And joy and honour will await the maid; + But should kind fate increase the nuptial-joy, + And make thee mother of a blooming boy, + Around his arm this magic bracelet bind, + To fire with virtuous deeds his ripening mind; + The strength of Sam will nerve his manly form, + In temper mild, in valour like the storm; + His not the dastard fate to shrink, or turn + From where the lions of the battle burn; + To him the soaring eagle from the sky + Will stoop, the bravest yield to him, or fly; + Thus shall his bright career imperious claim + The well-won honours of immortal fame!" + Ardent he said, and kissed her eyes and face, + And lingering held her in a fond embrace. + + When the bright sun his radiant brow displayed, + And earth in all its loveliest hues arrayed, + The Champion rose to leave his spouse's side, + The warm affections of his weeping bride. + For her, too soon the winged moments flew, + Too soon, alas! the parting hour she knew; + Clasped in his arms, with many a streaming tear, + She tried, in vain, to win his deafen'd ear; + Still tried, ah fruitless struggle! to impart, + The swelling anguish of her bursting heart. + + The father now with gratulations due + Rustem approaches, and displays to view + The fiery war-horse--welcome as the light + Of heaven, to one immersed in deepest night; + The Champion, wild with joy, fits on the rein, + And girds the saddle on his back again; + Then mounts, and leaving sire and wife behind, + Onward to Sistan rushes like the wind. + + But when returned to Zabul's friendly shade, + None knew what joys the Warrior had delayed; + Still, fond remembrance, with endearing thought, + Oft to his mind the scene of rapture brought. + + When nine slow-circling months had roll'd away, + Sweet-smiling pleasure hailed the brightening day-- + A wondrous boy Tahmineh's tears supprest, + And lull'd the sorrows of her heart to rest; + To him, predestined to be great and brave, + The name Sohrab his tender mother gave; + And as he grew, amazed, the gathering throng, + View'd his large limbs, his sinews firm and strong; + His infant years no soft endearment claimed: + Athletic sports his eager soul inflamed; + Broad at the chest and taper round the loins, + Where to the rising hip the body joins; + Hunter and wrestler; and so great his speed, + He could overtake, and hold the swiftest steed. + His noble aspect, and majestic grace, + Betrayed the offspring of a glorious race. + How, with a mother's ever anxious love, + Still to retain him near her heart she strove! + For when the father's fond inquiry came, + Cautious, she still concealed his birth and name, + And feign'd a daughter born, the evil fraught + With misery to avert--but vain the thought; + Not many years had passed, with downy flight, + Ere he, Tahmineh's wonder and delight, + With glistening eye, and youthful ardour warm, + Filled her foreboding bosom with alarm. + "O now relieve my heart!" he said, "declare, + From whom I sprang and breathe the vital air. + Since, from my childhood I have ever been, + Amidst my play-mates of superior mien; + Should friend or foe demand my father's name, + Let not my silence testify my shame! + If still concealed, you falter, still delay, + A mother's blood shall wash the crime away." + + "This wrath forego," the mother answering cried, + "And joyful hear to whom thou art allied. + A glorious line precedes thy destined birth, + The mightiest heroes of the sons of earth. + The deeds of Sam remotest realms admire, + And Zal, and Rustem thy illustrious sire!" + + In private, then, she Rustem's letter placed + Before his view, and brought with eager haste + Three sparkling rubies, wedges three of gold, + From Persia sent--"Behold," she said, "behold + Thy father's gifts, will these thy doubts remove + The costly pledges of paternal love! + Behold this bracelet charm, of sovereign power + To baffle fate in danger's awful hour; + But thou must still the perilous secret keep, + Nor ask the harvest of renown to reap; + For when, by this peculiar signet known, + Thy glorious father shall demand his son, + Doomed from her only joy in life to part, + O think what pangs will rend thy mother's heart!-- + Seek not the fame which only teems with woe; + Afrasiyab is Rustem's deadliest foe! + And if by him discovered, him I dread, + Revenge will fail upon thy guiltless head." + + The youth replied: "In vain thy sighs and tears, + The secret breathes and mocks thy idle fears. + No human power can fate's decrees control, + Or check the kindled ardour of my soul. + Then why from me the bursting truth conceal? + My father's foes even now my vengeance feel; + Even now in wrath my native legions rise, + And sounds of desolation strike the skies; + Kaus himself, hurled from his ivory throne, + Shall yield to Rustem the imperial crown, + And thou, my mother, still in triumph seen, + Of lovely Persia hailed the honoured queen! + Then shall Turan unite beneath my hand, + And drive this proud oppressor from the land! + Father and Son, in virtuous league combined, + No savage despot shall enslave mankind; + When Sun and Moon o'er heaven refulgent blaze, + Shall little stars obtrude their feeble rays?"[15] + + He paused, and then: "O mother, I must now + My father seek, and see his lofty brow; + Be mine a horse, such as a prince demands, + Fit for the dusty field, a warrior's hands; + Strong as an elephant his form should be, + And chested like the stag, in motion free, + And swift as bird, or fish; it would disgrace + A warrior bold on foot to show his face." + + The mother, seeing how his heart was bent, + His day-star rising in the firmament, + Commands the stables to be searched to find + Among the steeds one suited to his mind; + Pressing their backs he tries their strength and nerve, + Bent double to the ground their bellies curve; + Not one, from neighbouring plain and mountain brought, + Equals the wish with which his soul is fraught; + Fruitless on every side he anxious turns, + Fruitless, his brain with wild impatience burns, + But when at length they bring the destined steed, + From Rakush bred, of lightning's winged speed, + Fleet, as the arrow from the bow-string flies, + Fleet, as the eagle darting through the skies, + Rejoiced he springs, and, with a nimble bound, + Vaults in his seat, and wheels the courser round; + "With such a horse--thus mounted, what remains? + Kaus, the Persian King, no longer reigns!" + High flushed he speaks--with youthful pride elate, + Eager to crush the Monarch's glittering state; + He grasps his javelin with a hero's might, + And pants with ardour for the field of fight. + + Soon o'er the realm his fame expanding spread, + And gathering thousands hasten'd to his aid. + His Grand-sire, pleased, beheld the warrior-train + Successive throng and darken all the plain; + And bounteously his treasures he supplied, + Camels, and steeds, and gold.--In martial pride, + Sohrab was seen--a Grecian helmet graced + His brow--and costliest mail his limbs embraced. + + Afrasiyab now hears with ardent joy, + The bold ambition of the warrior-boy, + Of him who, perfumed with the milky breath + Of infancy, was threatening war and death, + And bursting sudden from his mother's side, + Had launched his bark upon the perilous tide. + + The insidious King sees well the tempting hour, + Favouring his arms against the Persian power, + And thence, in haste, the enterprise to share, + Twelve thousand veterans selects with care; + To Human and Barman the charge consigns, + And thus his force with Samengan combines; + But treacherous first his martial chiefs he prest, + To keep the secret fast within their breast:-- + "For this bold youth must not his father know, + Each must confront the other as his foe-- + Such is my vengeance! With unhallowed rage, + Father and Son shall dreadful battle wage! + Unknown the youth shall Rustem's force withstand, + And soon o'erwhelm the bulwark of the land. + Rustem removed, the Persian throne is ours, + An easy conquest to confederate powers; + And then, secured by some propitious snare, + Sohrab himself our galling bonds shall wear. + Or should the Son by Rustem's falchion bleed, + The father's horror at that fatal deed, + Will rend his soul, and 'midst his sacred grief, + Kaus in vain will supplicate relief." + + The tutored chiefs advance with speed, and bring + Imperial presents to the future king; + In stately pomp the embassy proceeds; + Ten loaded camels, ten unrivalled steeds, + A golden crown, and throne, whose jewels bright + Gleam in the sun, and shed a sparkling light, + A letter too the crafty tyrant sends, + And fraudful thus the glorious aim commends.-- + "If Persia's spoils invite thee to the field, + Accept the aid my conquering legions yield; + Led by two Chiefs of valour and renown, + Upon thy head to place the kingly crown." + + Elate with promised fame, the youth surveys + The regal vest, the throne's irradiant blaze, + The golden crown, the steeds, the sumptuous load + Of ten strong camels, craftily bestowed; + Salutes the Chiefs, and views on every side, + The lengthening ranks with various arms supplied. + The march begins--the brazen drums resound,[16] + His moving thousands hide the trembling ground; + For Persia's verdant land he wields the spear, + And blood and havoc mark his groaning rear.[17] + + To check the Invader's horror-spreading course, + The barrier-fort opposed unequal force; + That fort whose walls, extending wide, contained + The stay of Persia, men to battle trained. + Soon as Hujir the dusky crowd descried, + He on his own presumptuous arm relied, + And left the fort; in mail with shield and spear, + Vaunting he spoke--"What hostile force is here? + What Chieftain dares our war-like realms invade?" + "And who art thou?" Sohrab indignant said, + Rushing towards him with undaunted look-- + "Hast thou, audacious! nerve and soul to brook + The crocodile in fight, that to the strife + Singly thou comest, reckless of thy life?" + + To this the foe replied--"A Turk and I + Have never yet been bound in friendly tie; + And soon thy head shall, severed by my sword, + Gladden the sight of Persia's mighty lord, + While thy torn limbs to vultures shall be given, + Or bleach beneath the parching blast of heaven." + + The youthful hero laughing hears the boast, + And now by each continual spears are tost, + Mingling together; like a flood of fire + The boaster meets his adversary's ire; + The horse on which he rides, with thundering pace, + Seems like a mountain moving from its base; + Sternly he seeks the stripling's loins to wound, + But the lance hurtless drops upon the ground; + Sohrab, advancing, hurls his steady spear + Full on the middle of the vain Hujir, + Who staggers in his seat. With proud disdain + The youth now flings him headlong on the plain, + And quick dismounting, on his heaving breast + Triumphant stands, his Khunjer firmly prest, + To strike the head off--but the blow was stayed--Trembling, + for life, the craven boaster prayed. + That mercy granted eased his coward mind, + Though, dire disgrace, in captive bonds confined, + And sent to Human, who amazed beheld + How soon Sohrab his daring soul had quelled. + + When Gurd-afrid, a peerless warrior-dame, + Heard of the conflict, and the hero's shame, + Groans heaved her breast, and tears of anger flowed, + Her tulip cheek with deeper crimson glowed; + Speedful, in arms magnificent arrayed, + A foaming palfrey bore the martial maid; + The burnished mail her tender limbs embraced, + Beneath her helm her clustering locks she placed; + Poised in her hand an iron javelin gleamed, + And o'er the ground its sparkling lustre streamed; + Accoutred thus in manly guise, no eye + However piercing could her sex descry; + Now, like a lion, from the fort she bends, + And 'midst the foe impetuously descends; + Fearless of soul, demands with haughty tone, + The bravest chief, for war-like valour known, + To try the chance of fight. In shining arms, + Again Sohrab the glow of battle warms; + With scornful smiles, "Another deer!" he cries, + "Come to my victor-toils, another prize!" + The damsel saw his noose insidious spread, + And soon her arrows whizzed around his head; + With steady skill the twanging bow she drew, + And still her pointed darts unerring flew; + For when in forest sports she touched the string, + Never escaped even bird upon the wing; + Furious he burned, and high his buckler held, + To ward the storm, by growing force impell'd; + And tilted forward with augmented wrath, + But Gurd-afrid aspires to cross his path; + Now o'er her back the slacken'd bow resounds; + She grasps her lance, her goaded courser bounds, + Driven on the youth with persevering might-- + Unconquer'd courage still prolongs the fight; + The stripling Chief shields off the threaten'd blow, + Reins in his steed, then rushes on the foe; + With outstretch'd arm, he bending backwards hung, + And, gathering strength, his pointed javelin flung; + Firm through her girdle belt the weapon went, + And glancing down the polish'd armour rent. + Staggering, and stunned by his superior force, + She almost tumbled from her foaming horse, + Yet unsubdued, she cut the spear in two, + And from her side the quivering fragment drew, + Then gain'd her seat, and onward urged her steed, + But strong and fleet Sohrab arrests her speed: + Strikes off her helm, and sees--a woman's face, + Radiant with blushes and commanding grace! + Thus undeceived, in admiration lost, + He cries, "A woman, from the Persian host! + If Persian damsels thus in arms engage, + Who shall repel their warrior's fiercer rage?" + Then from his saddle thong--his noose he drew, + And round her waist the twisted loop he threw-- + "Now seek not to escape," he sharply said, + "Such is the fate of war, unthinking maid! + And, as such beauty seldom swells our pride, + Vain thy attempt to cast my toils aside." + + In this extreme, but one resource remained, + Only one remedy her hope sustained-- + Expert in wiles each siren-art she knew, + And thence exposed her blooming face to view; + Raising her full black orbs, serenely bright, + In all her charms she blazed before his sight; + And thus addressed Sohrab--"O warrior brave, + Hear me, and thy imperilled honour save, + These curling tresses seen by either host, + A woman conquered, whence the glorious boast? + Thy startled troops will know, with inward grief, + A woman's arm resists their towering chief, + Better preserve a warrior's fair renown, + And let our struggle still remain unknown, + For who with wanton folly would expose + A helpless maid, to aggravate her woes; + The fort, the treasure, shall thy toils repay, + The chief, and garrison, thy will obey, + And thine the honours of this dreadful day." + + Raptured he gazed, her smiles resistless move + The wildest transports of ungoverned love. + Her face disclosed a paradise to view, + Eyes like the fawn, and cheeks of rosy hue-- + Thus vanquished, lost, unconscious of her aim, + And only struggling with his amorous flame, + He rode behind, as if compelled by fate, + And heedless saw her gain the castle-gate. + + Safe with her friends, escaped from brand and spear, + Smiling she stands, as if unknown to fear. + --The father now, with tearful pleasure wild, + Clasps to his heart his fondly-foster'd child; + The crowding warriors round her eager bend, + And grateful prayers to favouring heaven ascend. + + Now from the walls, she, with majestic air, + Exclaims: "Thou warrior of Turan! forbear, + Why vex thy soul, and useless strife demand! + Go, and in peace enjoy thy native land." + Stern he rejoins: "Thou beauteous tyrant! say, + Though crown'd with charms, devoted to betray, + When these proud walls, in dust and ruins laid, + Yield no defence, and thou a captive maid, + Will not repentance through thy bosom dart, + And sorrow soften that disdainful heart?" + + Quick she replied: "O'er Persia's fertile fields + The savage Turk in vain his falchion wields; + When King Kaus this bold invasion hears, + And mighty Rustem clad in arms appears! + Destruction wide will glut the slippery plain, + And not one man of all thy host remain. + Alas! that bravery, high as thine, should meet + Amidst such promise, with a sure defeat, + But not a gleam of hope remains for thee, + Thy wondrous valour cannot keep thee free. + Avert the fate which o'er thy head impends, + Return, return, and save thy martial friends!" + + Thus to be scorned, defrauded of his prey, + With victory in his grasp--to lose the day! + Shame and revenge alternate filled his mind; + The suburb-town to pillage he consigned, + And devastation--not a dwelling spared; + The very owl was from her covert scared; + Then thus: "Though luckless in my aim to-day, + To-morrow shall behold a sterner fray; + This fort, in ashes, scattered o'er the plain." + He ceased--and turned towards his troops again; + There, at a distance from the hostile power, + He brooding waits the slaughter-breathing hour. + + Meanwhile the sire of Gurd-afrid, who now + Governed the fort, and feared the warrior's vow; + Mournful and pale, with gathering woes opprest, + His distant Monarch trembling thus addrest. + But first invoked the heavenly power to shed + Its choicest blessings o'er his royal head. + "Against our realm with numerous foot and horse, + A stripling warrior holds his ruthless course. + His lion-breast unequalled strength betrays, + And o'er his mien the sun's effulgence plays: + Sohrab his name; like Sam Suwar he shows, + Or Rustem terrible amidst his foes. + The bold Hujir lies vanquished on the plain, + And drags a captive's ignominious chain; + Myriads of troops besiege our tottering wall, + And vain the effort to suspend its fall. + Haste, arm for fight, this Tartar-power withstand, + Let sweeping Vengeance lift her flickering brand; + Rustem alone may stem the roaring wave, + And, prompt as bold, his groaning country save. + Meanwhile in flight we place our only trust, + Ere the proud ramparts crumble in the dust." + + Swift flies the messenger through secret ways, + And to the King the dreadful tale conveys, + Then passed, unseen, in night's concealing shade, + The mournful heroes and the warrior maid. + + Soon as the sun with vivifying ray, + Gleams o'er the landscape, and renews the day; + The flaming troops the lofty walls surround, + With thundering crash the bursting gates resound. + Already are the captives bound, in thought, + And like a herd before the conqueror brought; + Sohrab, terrific o'er the ruin, views + His hopes deceived, but restless still pursues. + An empty fortress mocks his searching eye, + No steel-clad chiefs his burning wrath defy; + No warrior-maid reviving passion warms, + And soothes his soul with fondly-valued charms. + Deep in his breast he feels the amorous smart, + And hugs her image closer to his heart. + "Alas! that Fate should thus invidious shroud + The moon's soft radiance in a gloomy cloud; + Should to my eyes such winning grace display, + Then snatch the enchanter of my soul away! + A beauteous roe my toils enclosed in vain, + Now I, her victim, drag the captive's chain; + Strange the effects that from her charms proceed, + I gave the wound, and I afflicted bleed! + Vanquished by her, I mourn the luckless strife; + Dark, dark, and bitter, frowns my morn of life. + A fair unknown my tortured bosom rends, + Withers each joy, and every hope suspends." + + Impassioned thus Sohrab in secret sighed, + And sought, in vain, o'er-mastering grief to hide. + Can the heart bleed and throb from day to day, + And yet no trace its inmost pangs betray? + Love scorns control, and prompts the labouring sigh, + Pales the red lip, and dims the lucid eye; + His look alarmed the stern Turanian Chief, + Closely he mark'd his heart-corroding grief;-- + And though he knew not that the martial dame, + Had in his bosom lit the tender flame[18]; + Full well he knew such deep repinings prove, + The hapless thraldom of disastrous love. + Full well he knew some idol's musky hair, + Had to his youthful heart become a snare, + But still unnoted was the gushing tear, + Till haply he had gained his private ear:-- + "In ancient times, no hero known to fame, + Not dead to glory e'er indulged the flame; + Though beauty's smiles might charm a fleeting hour, + The heart, unsway'd, repelled their lasting power. + A warrior Chief to trembling love a prey? + What! weep for woman one inglorious day? + Canst thou for love's effeminate control, + Barter the glory of a warrior's soul? + Although a hundred damsels might be gained, + The hero's heart shall still be free, unchained. + Thou art our leader, and thy place the field + Where soldiers love to fight with spear and shield; + And what hast thou to do with tears and smiles, + The silly victim to a woman's wiles? + Our progress, mark! from far Turan we came, + Through seas of blood to gain immortal fame; + And wilt thou now the tempting conquest shun, + When our brave arms this Barrier-fort have won? + Why linger here, and trickling sorrows shed, + Till mighty Kaus thunders o'er thy head! + Till Tus, and Giw, and Gudarz, and Bahram, + And Rustem brave, Feramurz, and Reham, + Shall aid the war! A great emprise is thine, + At once, then, every other thought resign; + For know the task which first inspired thy zeal, + Transcends in glory all that love can feel. + Rise, lead the war, prodigious toils require + Unyielding strength, and unextinguished fire; + Pursue the triumph with tempestuous rage, + Against the world in glorious strife engage, + And when an empire sinks beneath thy sway + (O quickly may we hail the prosperous day), + The fickle sex will then with blooming charms, + Adoring throng to bless thy circling arms!" + + Human's warm speech, the spirit-stirring theme, + Awoke Sohrab from his inglorious dream. + No more the tear his faded cheek bedewed, + Again ambition all his hopes renewed: + Swell'd his bold heart with unforgotten zeal, + The noble wrath which heroes only feel; + Fiercely he vowed at one tremendous stroke, + To bow the world beneath the tyrant's yoke! + "Afrasiyab," he cried, "shall reign alone, + The mighty lord of Persia's gorgeous throne!" + + Burning, himself, to rule this nether sphere, + These welcome tidings charmed the despot's ear. + Meantime Kaus, this dire invasion known, + Had called his chiefs around his ivory throne: + There stood Gurgin, and Bahram, and Gushwad, + And Tus, and Giw, and Gudarz, and Ferhad; + To them he read the melancholy tale, + Gust'hem had written of the rising bale; + Besought their aid and prudent choice, to form + Some sure defence against the threatening storm. + With one consent they urge the strong request, + To summon Rustem from his rural rest.-- + Instant a warrior-delegate they send, + And thus the King invites his patriot-friend, + + "To thee all praise, whose mighty arm alone, + Preserves the glory of the Persian throne! + Lo! Tartar hordes our happy realms invade; + The tottering state requires thy powerful aid; + A youthful Champion leads the ruthless host, + His savage country's widely-rumoured boast. + The Barrier-fortress sinks beneath his sway, + Hujir is vanquished, ruin tracks his way; + Strong as a raging elephant in fight, + No arm but thine can match his furious might. + Mazinderan thy conquering prowess knew; + The Demon-king thy trenchant falchion slew, + The rolling heavens, abash'd with fear, behold + Thy biting sword, thy mace adorned with gold! + Fly to the succour of a King distress'd, + Proud of thy love, with thy protection blest. + When o'er the nation dread misfortunes lower, + Thou art the refuge, thou the saving power. + The chiefs assembled claim thy patriot vows, + Give to thy glory all that life allows; + And while no whisper breathes the direful tale, + O, let thy Monarch's anxious prayers prevail." + + Closing the fragrant page[19] o'ercome with dread, + The afflicted King to Giw, the warrior, said:-- + "Go, bind the saddle on thy fleetest horse, + Outstrip the tempest in thy rapid course, + To Rustem swift his country's woes convey, + Too true art thou to linger on the way; + Speed, day and night--and not one instant wait, + Whatever hour may bring thee to his gate." + + Followed no pause--to Giw enough was said, + Nor rest, nor taste of food, his speed delayed. + And when arrived, where Zabul's bowers exhale + Ambrosial sweets and scent the balmy gale, + The sentinel's loud voice in Rustem's ear, + Announced a messenger from Persia, near; + The Chief himself amidst his warriors stood, + Dispensing honours to the brave and good, + And soon as Giw had joined the martial ring, + (The sacred envoy of the Persian King), + He, with becoming loyalty inspired, + Asked what the monarch, what the state required; + But Giw, apart, his secret mission told-- + The written page was speedily unrolled. + + Struck with amazement, Rustem--"Now on earth + A warrior-knight of Sam's excelling worth? + Whence comes this hero of the prosperous star? + I know no Turk renowned, like him, in war; + He bears the port of Rustem too, 'tis said, + Like Sam, like Nariman, a warrior bred! + He cannot be my son, unknown to me; + Reason forbids the thought--it cannot be! + At Samengan, where once affection smiled, + To me Tahmineh bore her only child, + That was a daughter?" Pondering thus he spoke, + And then aloud--"Why fear the invader's yoke? + Why trembling shrink, by coward thoughts dismayed, + Must we not all in dust, at length, be laid? + But come, to Nirum's palace, haste with me, + And there partake the feast--from sorrow free; + Breathe, but awhile--ere we our toils renew, + And moisten the parched lip with needful dew. + Let plans of war another day decide, + We soon shall quell this youthful hero's pride. + The force of fire soon flutters and decays + When ocean, swelled by storms, its wrath displays. + What danger threatens! whence the dastard fear! + Rest, and at leisure share a warrior's cheer." + + In vain the Envoy prest the Monarch's grief; + The matchless prowess of the stripling chief; + How brave Hujir had felt his furious hand; + What thickening woes beset the shuddering land. + But Rustem, still, delayed the parting day, + And mirth and feasting rolled the hours away; + Morn following morn beheld the banquet bright, + Music and wine prolonged the genial rite; + Rapt by the witchery of the melting strain, + No thought of Kaus touch'd his swimming brain.[20] + + The trumpet's clang, on fragrant breezes borne, + Now loud salutes the fifth revolving morn; + The softer tones which charm'd the jocund feast, + And all the noise of revelry, had ceased, + The generous horse, with rich embroidery deckt, + Whose gilded trappings sparkling light reflect, + Bears with majestic port the Champion brave, + And high in air the victor-banners wave. + Prompt at the martial call, Zuara leads + His veteran troops from Zabul's verdant meads.[21] + + Ere Rustem had approached his journey's end, + Tus, Gudarz, Gushwad, met their champion-friend + With customary honours; pleased to bring + The shield of Persia to the anxious King. + But foaming wrath the senseless monarch swayed; + His friendship scorned, his mandate disobeyed, + Beneath dark brows o'er-shadowing deep, his eye + Red gleaming shone, like lightning through the sky + And when the warriors met his sullen view, + Frowning revenge, still more enraged he grew:-- + Loud to the Envoy thus he fiercely cried:-- + "Since Rustem has my royal power defied, + Had I a sword, this instant should his head + Roll on the ground; but let him now be led + Hence, and impaled alive."[22] Astounded Giw + Shrunk from such treatment of a knight so true; + But this resistance added to the flame, + And both were branded with revolt and shame; + Both were condemned, and Tus, the stern decree + Received, to break them on the felon-tree. + Could daring insult, thus deliberate given, + Escape the rage of one to frenzy driven? + No, from his side the nerveless Chief was flung, + Bent to the ground. Away the Champion sprung; + Mounted his foaming horse, and looking round-- + His boiling wrath thus rapid utterance found:-- + "Ungrateful King, thy tyrant acts disgrace + The sacred throne, and more, the human race; + Midst clashing swords thy recreant life I saved, + And am I now by Tus contemptuous braved?[23] + On me shall Tus, shall Kaus dare to frown? + On me, the bulwark of the regal crown? + Wherefore should fear in Rustem's breast have birth, + Kaus, to me, a worthless clod of earth! + Go, and thyself Sohrab's invasion stay, + Go, seize the plunderers growling o'er their prey! + Wherefore to others give the base command? + Go, break him on the tree with thine own hand. + Know, thou hast roused a warrior, great and free, + Who never bends to tyrant Kings like thee! + Was not this untired arm triumphant seen, + In Misser, Rum, Mazinderan, and Chin! + And must I shrink at thy imperious nod! + Slave to no Prince, I only bow to God. + Whatever wrath from thee, proud King! may fall, + For thee I fought, and I deserve it all. + The regal sceptre might have graced my hand, + I kept the laws, and scorned supreme command. + When Kai-kobad and Alberz mountain strayed, + I drew him thence, and gave a warrior's aid; + Placed on his brows the long-contested crown, + Worn by his sires, by sacred right his own; + Strong in the cause, my conquering arms prevailed, + Wouldst thou have reign'd had Rustem's valour failed + When the White Demon raged in battle-fray, + Wouldst thou have lived had Rustem lost the day?" + Then to his friends: "Be wise, and shun your fate, + Fly the wide ruin which o'erwhelms the state; + The conqueror comes--the scourge of great and small, + And vultures, following fast, will gorge on all. + Persia no more its injured Chief shall view"-- + He said, and sternly from the court withdrew. + + The warriors now, with sad forebodings wrung, + Torn from that hope to which they proudly clung, + On Gudarz rest, to soothe with gentle sway, + The frantic King, and Rustem's wrath allay. + With bitter grief they wail misfortune's shock, + No shepherd now to guard the timorous flock. + Gudarz at length, with boding cares imprest, + Thus soothed the anger in the royal breast. + "Say, what has Rustem done, that he should be + Impaled upon the ignominious tree? + Degrading thought, unworthy to be bred + Within a royal heart, a royal head. + Hast thou forgot when near the Caspian-wave, + Defeat and ruin had appalled the brave, + When mighty Rustem struck the dreadful blow, + And nobly freed thee from the savage foe? + Did Demons huge escape his flaming brand? + Their reeking limbs bestrew'd the slippery strand. + Shall he for this resign his vital breath? + What! shall the hero's recompense be death? + But who will dare a threatening step advance, + What earthly power can bear his withering glance? + Should he to Zabul fired with wrongs return, + The plunder'd land will long in sorrow mourn! + This direful presage all our warriors feel, + For who can now oppose the invader's steel; + Thus is it wise thy champion to offend, + To urge to this extreme thy warrior-friend? + Remember, passion ever scorns control, + And wisdom's mild decrees should rule a Monarch's soul."[24] + Kaus, relenting, heard with anxious ear, + And groundless wrath gave place to shame and fear; + "Go then," he cried, "his generous aid implore, + And to your King the mighty Chief restore!" + + When Gudarz rose, and seized his courser's rein, + A crowd of heroes followed in his train. + To Rustem, now (respectful homage paid), + The royal prayer he anxious thus conveyed. + "The King, repentant, seeks thy aid again, + Grieved to the heart that he has given thee pain; + But though his anger was unjust and strong, + Thy country still is guiltless of the wrong, + And, therefore, why abandoned thus by thee? + Thy help the King himself implores through me." + Rustem rejoined: "Unworthy the pretence, + And scorn and insult all my recompense? + Must I be galled by his capricious mood? + I, who have still his firmest champion stood? + But all is past, to heaven alone resigned, + No human cares shall more disturb my mind!" + Then Gudarz thus (consummate art inspired + His prudent tongue, with all that zeal required); + "When Rustem dreads Sohrab's resistless power, + Well may inferiors fly the trying hour! + The dire suspicion now pervades us all, + Thus, unavenged, shall beauteous Persia fall! + Yet, generous still, avert the lasting shame, + O, still preserve thy country's glorious fame! + Or wilt thou, deaf to all our fears excite, + Forsake thy friends, and shun the pending fight? + And worse, O grief! in thy declining days, + Forfeit the honours of thy country's praise?" + This artful censure set his soul on fire, + But patriot firmness calm'd his burning ire; + And thus he said--"Inured to war's alarms, + Did ever Rustem shun the din of arms? + Though frowns from Kaus I disdain to bear, + My threatened country claims a warrior's care." + He ceased, and prudent joined the circling throng, + And in the public good forgot the private wrong. + + From far the King the generous Champion viewed, + And rising, mildly thus his speech pursued:-- + "Since various tempers govern all mankind, + Me, nature fashioned of a froward mind;[25] + And what the heavens spontaneously bestow, + Sown by their bounty must for ever grow. + The fit of wrath which burst within me, soon + Shrunk up my heart as thin as the new moon;[26] + Else had I deemed thee still my army's boast, + Source of my regal power, beloved the most, + Unequalled. Every day, remembering thee, + I drain the wine cup, thou art all to me; + I wished thee to perform that lofty part, + Claimed by thy valour, sanctioned by my heart; + Hence thy delay my better thoughts supprest, + And boisterous passions revelled in my breast; + But when I saw thee from my Court retire + In wrath, repentance quenched my burning ire. + O, let me now my keen contrition prove, + Again enjoy thy fellowship and love: + And while to thee my gratitude is known, + Still be the pride and glory of my throne." + + Rustem, thus answering said:--"Thou art the King, + Source of command, pure honour's sacred spring; + And here I stand to follow thy behest, + Obedient ever--be thy will expressed, + And services required--Old age shall see + My loins still bound in fealty to thee." + + To this the King:--"Rejoice we then to-day, + And on the morrow marshal our array." + The monarch quick commands the feast of joy, + And social cares his buoyant mind employ, + Within a bower, beside a crystal spring,[27] + Where opening flowers, refreshing odours fling, + Cheerful he sits, and forms the banquet scene, + In regal splendour on the crowded green; + And as around he greets his valiant bands, + Showers golden presents from his bounteous hands;[28] + Voluptuous damsels trill the sportive lay, + Whose sparkling glances beam celestial day; + Fill'd with delight the heroes closer join, + And quaff till midnight cups of generous wine. + + Soon as the Sun had pierced the veil of night, + And o'er the prospect shed his earliest light, + Kaus, impatient, bids the clarions sound, + The sprightly notes from hills and rocks rebound; + His treasure gates are opened:--and to all + A largess given; obedient to the call, + His subjects gathering crowd the mountain's brow, + And following thousands shade the vales below; + With shields, in armor, numerous legions bend; + And troops of horse the threatening lines extend. + Beneath the tread of heroes fierce and strong, + By war's tumultuous fury borne along, + The firm earth shook: the dust, in eddies driven, + Whirled high in air, obscured the face of heaven; + Nor earth, nor sky appeared--all, seeming lost, + And swallowed up by that wide-spreading host. + The steely armour glitter'd o'er the fields,[29] + And lightnings flash'd from gold emblazoned shields; + Thou wouldst have said, the clouds had burst in showers, + Of sparkling amber o'er the martial powers.[30] + Thus, close embodied, they pursued their way, + And reached the Barrier-fort in terrible array. + + The legions of Turan, with dread surprise, + Saw o'er the plain successive myriads rise; + And showed them to Sohrab; he, mounting high + The fort, surveyed them with a fearless eye; + To Human, who, with withering terror pale, + Had marked their progress through the distant vale, + He pointed out the sight, and ardent said:-- + "Dispel these woe-fraught broodings from thy head, + I wage the war, Afrasiyab! for thee, + And make this desert seem a rolling sea." + Thus, while amazement every bosom quell'd, + Sohrab, unmoved, the coming storm beheld, + And boldly gazing on the camp around, + Raised high the cup with wine nectareous crowned: + O'er him no dreams of woe insidious stole, + No thought but joy engaged his ardent soul. + + The Persian legions had restrained their course, + Tents and pavilions, countless foot and horse, + Clothed all the spacious plain, and gleaming threw + Terrific splendours on the gazer's view. + But when the Sun had faded in the west, + And night assumed her ebon-coloured vest, + The mighty Chief approached the sacred throne, + And generous thus made danger all his own: + "The rules of war demand a previous task, + To watch this dreadful foe I boldly ask; + With wary step the wondrous youth to view, + And mark the heroes who his path pursue." + The King assents: "The task is justly thine, + Favourite of heaven, inspired by power divine." + In Turkish habit, secretly arrayed, + The lurking Champion wandered through the shade + And, cautious, standing near the palace gate, + Saw how the chiefs were ranged in princely state. + + What time Sohrab his thoughts to battle turned, + And for the first proud fruits of conquest burned, + His mother called a warrior to his aid, + And Zinda-ruzm his sister's call obeyed. + To him Tahmineh gave her only joy, + And bade him shield the bold adventurous boy: + "But, in the dreadful strife, should danger rise, + Present my child before his father's eyes! + By him protected, war may rage in vain, + Though he may never bless these arms again!" + This guardian prince sat on the stripling's right, + Viewing the imperial banquet with delight. + Human and Barman, near the hero placed, + In joyous pomp the full assembly graced; + A hundred valiant Chiefs begirt the throne, + And, all elate, were chaunting his renown. + Closely concealed, the gay and splendid scene, + Rustem contemplates with astonished mien; + When Zind, retiring, marks the listener nigh, + Watching the festal train with curious eye; + And well he knew, amongst his Tartar host, + Such towering stature not a Chief could boast-- + "What spy is here, close shrouded by the night? + Art thou afraid to face the beams of light?" + But scarcely from his lips these words had past, + Ere, fell'd to earth, he groaning breathed his last; + Unseen he perish'd, fate decreed the blow, + To add fresh keenness to a parent's woe. + + Meantime Sohrab, perceiving the delay + In Zind's return, looked round him with dismay; + The seat still vacant--but the bitter truth, + Full soon was known to the distracted youth; + Full soon he found that Zinda-ruzm was gone, + His day of feasting and of glory done; + Speedful towards the fatal spot he ran, + Where slept in bloody vest the slaughtered man. + + The lighted torches now displayed the dead, + Stiff on the ground his graceful limbs were spread; + Sad sight to him who knew his guardian care, + Now doom'd a kinsman's early loss to bear; + Anguish and rage devour his breast by turns, + He vows revenge, then o'er the warrior mourns: + And thus exclaims to each afflicted Chief:-- + "No time, to-night, my friends, for useless grief; + The ravenous wolf has watched his helpless prey, + Sprung o'er the fold, and borne its flower away; + But if the heavens my lifted arm befriend, + Upon the guilty shall my wrath descend-- + Unsheathed, this sword shall dire revenge pursue, + And Persian blood the thirsty land bedew." + Frowning he paused, and check'd the spreading woe, + Resumed the feast, and bid the wine-cup flow! + + The valiant Giw was sentinel that night, + And marking dimly by the dubious light, + A warrior form approach, he claps his hands, + With naked sword and lifted shield he stands, + To front the foe; but Rustem now appears, + And Giw the secret tale astonished hears; + From thence the Champion on the Monarch waits. + The power and splendour of Sohrab relates: + "Circled by Chiefs this glorious youth was seen, + Of lofty stature and majestic mien; + No Tartar region gave the hero birth: + Some happier portion of the spacious earth; + Tall, as the graceful cypress he appears; + Like Sam, the brave, his warrior-front he rears!" + Then having told how, while the banquet shone, + Unhappy Zind had sunk, without a groan; + He forms his conquering bands in close array, + And, cheer'd by wine, awaits the coming day. + + When now the Sun his golden buckler raised, + And genial light through heaven diffusive blazed, + Sohrab in mail his nervous limbs attired, + For dreadful wrath his soul to vengeance fired; + With anxious haste he bent the yielding cord, + Ring within ring, more fateful than the sword; + Around his brows a regal helm he bound; + His dappled steed impatient stampt the ground. + Thus armed, ascending where the eye could trace + The hostile force, and mark each leader's place, + He called Hujir, the captive Chief addressed, + And anxious thus, his soul's desire expressed: + "A prisoner thou, if freedom's voice can charm, + And dungeon darkness fill thee with alarm, + That freedom merit, shun severest woe, + And truly answer what I ask to know! + If rigid truth thy ready speech attend, + Honours and wealth shall dignify my friend." + + "Obedient to thy wish," Hujir replied, + "Truth thou shalt hear, whatever chance betide; + For what on earth to praise has better claim? + Falsehood but leads to sorrow and to shame!" + + "Then say, what heroes lead the adverse host, + Where they command, what dignities they boast; + Say, where does Kaus hold his kingly state, + Where Tus, and Gudarz, on his bidding wait; + Giw, Gust'hem, and Bahram--all known to thee, + And where is mighty Rustem, where is he? + Look round with care, their names and power display + Or instant death shall end thy vital day." + + "Where yonder splendid tapestries extend, + And o'er pavilions bright infolding bend, + A throne triumphal shines with sapphire rays, + And golden suns upon the banners blaze; + Full in the centre of the hosts--and round + The tent a hundred elephants are bound, + As if, in pomp, he mocked the power of fate; + There royal Kaus holds his kingly state. + + "In yonder tent which numerous guards protect, + Where front and rear illustrious Chiefs collect; + Where horsemen wheeling seem prepared for fight, + Their golden armour glittering in the light; + Tus lifts his banners, deck'd with royal pride, + Feared by the brave, the soldier's friend and guide.[31] + + "That crimson tent where spear-men frowning stand, + And steel-clad veterans form a threatening band, + Holds mighty Gudarz, famed for martial fire, + Of eighty valiant sons the valiant sire; + Yet strong in arms, he shuns inglorious ease, + His lion-banners floating in the breeze. + + "But mark, that green pavilion; girt around + By Persian nobles, speaks the Chief renowned; + Fierce on the standard, worked with curious art, + A hideous dragon writhing seems to start; + Throned in his tent the warrior's form is seen, + Towering above the assembled host between! + A generous horse before him snorts and neighs, + The trembling earth the echoing sound conveys. + Like him no Champion ever met my eyes, + No horse like that for majesty and size; + What Chief illustrious bears a port so high? + Mark, how his standard flickers through the sky!" + + Thus ardent spoke Sohrab. Hujir dismayed, + Paused ere reply the dangerous truth betrayed. + Trembling for Rustem's life the captive groaned; + Basely his country's glorious boast disowned, + And said the Chief from distant China came-- + Sohrab abrupt demands the hero's name; + The name unknown, grief wrings his aching heart, + And yearning anguish speeds her venom'd dart; + To him his mother gave the tokens true, + He sees them all, and all but mock his view. + When gloomy fate descends in evil hour, + Can human wisdom bribe her favouring power? + Yet, gathering hope, again with restless mien + He marks the Chiefs who crowd the warlike scene. + + "Where numerous heroes, horse and foot, appear, + And brazen trumpets thrill the listening ear, + Behold the proud pavilion of the brave! + With wolves emboss'd the silken banners wave. + The throne's bright gems with radiant lustre glow, + Slaves rank'd around with duteous homage bow. + What mighty Chieftain rules his cohorts there? + His name and lineage, free from guile, declare!" + + "Giw, son of Gudarz, long a glorious name, + Whose prowess even transcends his father's fame."[32] + + "Mark yonder tent of pure and dazzling white, + Whose rich brocade reflects a quivering light; + An ebon seat surmounts the ivory throne; + There frowns in state a warrior of renown. + The crowding slaves his awful nod obey, + And silver moons around his banners play; + What Chief, or Prince, has grasped the hostile sword? + Friburz, the son of Persia's mighty lord." + Again: "These standards show one champion more, + Upon their centre flames the savage boar;[33] + The saffron-hued pavilion bright ascends, + Whence many a fold of tasselled fringe depends; + Who there presides?" + + "Guraz, from heroes sprung, + Whose praise exceeds the power of mortal tongue." + + Thus, anxious, he explored the crowded field, + Nor once the secret of his birth revealed;[34] + Heaven will'd it so. Pressed down by silent grief, + Surrounding objects promised no relief. + This world to mortals still denies repose, + And life is still the scene of many woes. + Again his eye, instinctive turned, descried + The green pavilion, and the warrior's pride. + Again he cries: "O tell his glorious name; + Yon gallant horse declares the hero's fame!" + But false Hujir the aspiring hope repelled, + Crushed the fond wish, the soothing balm withheld, + "And why should I conceal his name from thee? + His name and title are unknown to me." + + Then thus Sohrab--"In all that thou hast said, + No sign of Rustem have thy words conveyed; + Thou sayest he leads the Persian host to arms, + With him has battle lost its boisterous charms? + Of him no trace thy guiding hand has shown; + Can power supreme remain unmark'd, unknown?" + + "Perhaps returned to Zabul's verdant bowers, + He undisturbed enjoys his peaceful hours, + The vernal banquets may constrain his stay, + And rural sports invite prolonged delay." + + "Ah! say not thus; the Champion of the world, + Shrink from the kindling war with banners furled! + It cannot be! Say where his lightnings dart, + Show me the warrior, all thou know'st impart; + Treasures uncounted shall be thy reward, + Death changed to life, my friendship more than shared. + Dost thou not know what, in the royal ear, + The Mubid said--befitting Kings to hear? + 'Untold, a secret is a jewel bright, + Yet profitless whilst hidden from the light; + But when revealed, in words distinctly given, + It shines refulgent as the sun through heaven.'"[35] + + To him, Hujir evasive thus replies: + "Through all the extended earth his glory flies! + Whenever dangers round the nation close, + Rustem approaches, and repels its foes; + And shouldst thou see him mix in mortal strife, + Thou'dst think 'twere easier to escape with life + From tiger fell, or demon--or the fold + Of the chafed dragon, than his dreadful hold-- + When fiercest battle clothes the fields with fire, + Before his rage embodied hosts retire!" + + "And where didst thou encountering armies see? + Why Rustem's praise so proudly urge to me? + Let us but meet and thou shalt trembling know, + How fierce that wrath which bids my bosom glow: + If living flames express his boundless ire, + O'erwhelming waters quench consuming fire! + And deepest darkness, glooms of ten-fold night, + Fly from the piercing beams of radiant light." + + Hujir shrunk back with undissembled dread, + And thus communing with himself, he said-- + "Shall I, regardless of my country, guide + To Rustem's tent this furious homicide? + And witness there destruction to our host? + The bulwark of the land for ever lost! + What Chief can then the Tartar power restrain! + Kaus dethroned, the mighty Rustem slain! + Better a thousand deaths should lay me low, + Than, living, yield such triumph to the foe. + For in this struggle should my blood be shed, + No foul dishonour can pursue me, dead; + No lasting shame my father's age oppress, + Whom eighty sons of martial courage bless![36] + They for their brother slain, incensed will rise, + And pour their vengeance on my enemies." + Then thus aloud--"Can idle words avail? + Why still of Rustem urge the frequent tale? + Why for the elephant-bodied hero ask? + Thee, he will find--no uncongenial task. + Why seek pretences to destroy my life? + Strike, for no Rustem views th' unequal strife!" + + Sohrab confused, with hopeless anguish mourned, + Back from the lofty walls he quick returned, + And stood amazed. + + Now war and vengeance claim, + Collected thought and deeds of mighty name; + The jointed mail his vigorous body clasps, + His sinewy hand the shining javelin grasps; + Like a mad elephant he meets the foe, + His steed a moving mountain--deeply glow + His cheeks with passionate ardour, as he flies + Resistless onwards, and with sparkling eyes, + Full on the centre drives his daring horse--[37] + The yielding Persians fly his furious course; + As the wild ass impetuous springs away, + When the fierce lion thunders on his prey. + By every sign of strength and martial power, + They think him Rustem in his direst hour; + On Kaus now his proud defiance falls, + Scornful to him the stripling warrior calls: + "And why art thou misnamed of royal strain? + What work of thine befits the tented plain? + This thirsty javelin seeks thy coward breast; + Thou and thy thousands doomed to endless rest. + True to my oath, which time can never change, + On thee, proud King! I hurl my just revenge. + The blood of Zind inspires my burning hate, + And dire resentment hurries on thy fate; + Whom canst thou send to try the desperate strife? + What valiant Chief, regardless of his life? + Where now can Friburz, Tus, Giw, Gudarz, be, + And the world-conquering Rustem, where is he?" + + No prompt reply from Persian lip ensued-- + Then rushing on, with demon-strength endued, + Sohrab elate his javelin waved around, + And hurled the bright pavilion to the ground; + With horror Kaus feels destruction nigh, + And cries: "For Rustem's needful succour fly! + This frantic Turk, triumphant on the plain, + Withers the souls of all my warrior train." + That instant Tus the mighty Champion sought, + And told the deeds the Tartar Chief had wrought; + "'Tis ever thus, the brainless Monarch's due! + Shame and disaster still his steps pursue!" + This saying, from his tent he soon descried, + The wild confusion spreading far and wide; + And saddled Rakush--whilst, in deep dismay, + Girgin incessant cried--"Speed, speed, away." + Reham bound on the mace, Tus promptly ran, + And buckled on the broad Burgustuwan. + Rustem, meanwhile, the thickening tumult hears + And in his heart, untouched by human fears, + Says: "What is this, that feeling seems to stun! + This battle must be led by Ahirmun,[38] + The awful day of doom must have begun." + In haste he arms, and mounts his bounding steed, + The growing rage demands redoubled speed; + The leopard's skin he o'er his shoulders throws, + The regal girdle round his middle glows.[39] + High wave his glorious banners; broad revealed, + The pictured dragons glare along the field + Borne by Zuara. When, surprised, he views + Sohrab, endued with ample breast and thews, + Like Sam Suwar, he beckons him apart; + The youth advances with a gallant heart, + Willing to prove his adversary's might, + By single combat to decide the fight; + And eagerly, "Together brought," he cries, + "Remote from us be foemen, and allies, + And though at once by either host surveyed, + Ours be the strife which asks no mortal aid." + + Rustem, considerate, view'd him o'er and o'er, + So wondrous graceful was the form he bore, + And frankly said: "Experience flows with age, + And many a foe has felt my conquering rage; + Much have I seen, superior strength and art + Have borne my spear thro' many a demon's heart; + Only behold me on the battle plain, + Wait till thou see'st this hand the war sustain, + And if on thee should changeful fortune smile, + Thou needst not fear the monster of the Nile![40] + But soft compassion melts my soul to save, + A youth so blooming with a mind so brave!" + + The generous speech Sohrab attentive heard, + His heart expanding glowed at every word: + "One question answer, and in answering show, + That truth should ever from a warrior flow; + Art thou not Rustem, whose exploits sublime, + Endear his name thro' every distant clime?" + + "I boast no station of exalted birth, + No proud pretensions to distinguished worth; + To him inferior, no such powers are mine, + No offspring I of Nirum's glorious line!"[41] + + The prompt denial dampt his filial joy, + All hope at once forsook the Warrior-boy, + His opening day of pleasure, and the bloom + Of cherished life, immersed in shadowy gloom. + Perplexed with what his mother's words implied;-- + A narrow space is now prepared, aside, + For single combat. With disdainful glance + Each boldly shakes his death-devoting lance, + And rushes forward to the dubious fight; + Thoughts high and brave their burning souls excite; + Now sword to sword; continuous strokes resound, + Till glittering fragments strew the dusty ground. + Each grasps his massive club with added force,[42] + The folding mail is rent from either horse; + It seemed as if the fearful day of doom + Had, clothed in all its withering terrors, come. + Their shattered corslets yield defence no more-- + At length they breathe, defiled with dust and gore; + Their gasping throats with parching thirst are dry, + Gloomy and fierce they roll the lowering eye, + And frown defiance. Son and Father driven + To mortal strife! are these the ways of Heaven? + The various swarms which boundless ocean breeds, + The countless tribes which crop the flowery meads, + All know their kind, but hapless man alone + Has no instinctive feeling for his own! + Compell'd to pause, by every eye surveyed, + Rustem, with shame, his wearied strength betrayed; + Foil'd by a youth in battle's mid career, + His groaning spirit almost sunk with fear; + Recovering strength, again they fiercely meet; + Again they struggle with redoubled heat; + With bended bows they furious now contend; + And feather'd shafts in rattling showers descend; + Thick as autumnal leaves they strew the plain, + Harmless their points, and all their fury vain. + And now they seize each other's girdle-band; + Rustem, who, if he moved his iron hand, + Could shake a mountain, and to whom a rock + Seemed soft as wax, tried, with one mighty stroke, + To hurl him thundering from his fiery steed, + But Fate forbids the gallant youth should bleed; + Finding his wonted nerves relaxed, amazed + That hand he drops which never had been raised + Uncrowned with victory, even when demons fought, + And pauses, wildered with despairing thought. + Sohrab again springs with terrific grace, + And lifts, from saddle-bow, his ponderous mace; + With gather'd strength the quick-descending blow + Wounds in its fall, and stuns the unwary foe; + Then thus contemptuous: "All thy power is gone; + Thy charger's strength exhausted as thy own; + Thy bleeding wounds with pity I behold; + O seek no more the combat of the bold!" + + Rustem to this reproach made no reply, + But stood confused--meanwhile, tumultuously + The legions closed; with soul-appalling force, + Troop rushed on troop, o'erwhelming man and horse; + Sohrab, incensed, the Persian host engaged, + Furious along the scattered lines he raged; + Fierce as a wolf he rode on every side, + The thirsty earth with streaming gore was dyed. + Midst the Turanians, then, the Champion sped, + And like a tiger heaped the fields with dead. + But when the Monarch's danger struck his thought, + Returning swift, the stripling youth he sought; + Grieved to the soul, the mighty Champion view'd + His hands and mail with Persian blood imbrued; + And thus exclaimed with lion-voice--"O say, + Why with the Persians dost thou war to-day? + Why not with me alone decide the fight, + Thou'rt like a wolf that seek'st the fold by night." + + To this Sohrab his proud assent expressed-- + And Rustem, answering, thus the youth addressed. + "Night-shadows now are thickening o'er the plain, + The morrow's sun must see our strife again; + In wrestling let us then exert our might!" + He said, and eve's last glimmer sunk in night + + Thus as the skies a deeper gloom displayed, + The stripling's life was hastening into shade! + + The gallant heroes to their tents retired, + The sweets of rest their wearied limbs required: + Sohrab, delighted with his brave career, + Describes the fight in Human's anxious ear: + Tells how he forced unnumbered Chiefs to yield, + And stood himself the victor of the field! + "But let the morrow's dawn," he cried, "arrive, + And not one Persian shall the day survive; + Meanwhile let wine its strengthening balm impart, + And add new zeal to every drooping heart." + The valiant Giw with Rustem pondering stood, + And, sad, recalled the scene of death and blood; + Grief and amazement heaved the frequent sigh, + And almost froze the crimson current dry. + Rustem, oppressed by Giw's desponding thought, + Amidst his Chiefs the mournful Monarch sought; + To him he told Sohrab's tremendous sway, + The dire misfortunes of this luckless day; + Told with what grasping force he tried, in vain, + To hurl the wondrous stripling to the plain: + "The whispering zephyr might as well aspire + To shake a mountain--such his strength and fire. + But night came on--and, by agreement, we + Must meet again to-morrow--who shall be + Victorious, Heaven knows only:--for by Heaven, + Victory or death to man is ever given." + This said, the King, o'erwhelmed in deep despair, + Passed the dread night in agony and prayer. + + The Champion, silent, joined his bands at rest, + And spurned at length despondence from his breast; + Removed from all, he cheered Zuara's heart, + And nerved his soul to bear a trying part:-- + "Ere early morning gilds the ethereal plain, + In martial order range my warrior-train; + And when I meet in all his glorious pride, + This valiant Turk whom late my rage defied, + Should fortune's smiles my arduous task requite, + Bring them to share the triumph of my might; + But should success the stripling's arm attend, + And dire defeat and death my glories end, + To their loved homes my brave associates guide; + Let bowery Zabul all their sorrows hide-- + Comfort my venerable father's heart; + In gentlest words my heavy fate impart. + The dreadful tidings to my mother bear, + And soothe her anguish with the tenderest care; + Say, that the will of righteous Heaven decreed, + That thus in arms her mighty son should bleed. + Enough of fame my various toils acquired, + When warring demons, bathed in blood, expired. + Were life prolonged a thousand lingering years, + Death comes at last and ends our mortal fears; + Kirshasp, and Sam, and Nariman, the best + And bravest heroes, who have ever blest + This fleeting world, were not endued with power, + To stay the march of fate one single hour; + The world for them possessed no fixed abode, + The path to death's cold regions must be trod; + Then, why lament the doom ordained for all? + Thus Jemshid fell, and thus must Rustem fall." + + When the bright dawn proclaimed the rising day, + The warriors armed, impatient of delay; + But first Sohrab, his proud confederate nigh, + Thus wistful spoke, as swelled the boding sigh-- + "Now, mark my great antagonist in arms! + His noble form my filial bosom warms; + My mother's tokens shine conspicuous here, + And all the proofs my heart demands, appear; + Sure this is Rustem, whom my eyes engage! + Shall I, O grief! provoke my Father's rage? + Offended Nature then would curse my name, + And shuddering nations echo with my shame." + He ceased, then Human: "Vain, fantastic thought, + Oft have I been where Persia's Champion fought; + And thou hast heard, what wonders he performed, + When, in his prime, Mazinderan was stormed; + That horse resembles Rustem's, it is true, + But not so strong, nor beautiful to view." + + Sohrab now buckles on his war attire, + His heart all softness, and his brain all fire; + Around his lips such smiles benignant played, + He seemed to greet a friend, as thus he said:-- + "Here let us sit together on the plain, + Here, social sit, and from the fight refrain; + Ask we from heaven forgiveness of the past, + And bind our souls in friendship that may last; + Ours be the feast--let us be warm and free, + For powerful instinct draws me still to thee; + Fain would my heart in bland affection join, + Then let thy generous ardour equal mine; + And kindly say, with whom I now contend-- + What name distinguished boasts my warrior-friend! + Thy name unfit for champion brave to hide, + Thy name so long, long sought, and still denied; + Say, art thou Rustem, whom I burn to know? + Ingenuous say, and cease to be my foe!" + + Sternly the mighty Champion cried, "Away-- + Hence with thy wiles--now practised to delay; + The promised struggle, resolute, I claim, + Then cease to move me to an act of shame." + Sohrab rejoined--"Old man! thou wilt not hear + The words of prudence uttered in thine ear; + Then, Heaven! look on." + + Preparing for the shock, + Each binds his charger to a neighbouring rock; + And girds his loins, and rubs his wrists, and tries + Their suppleness and force, with angry eyes; + And now they meet--now rise, and now descend, + And strong and fierce their sinewy arms extend; + Wrestling with all their strength they grasp and strain, + And blood and sweat flow copious on the plain; + Like raging elephants they furious close; + Commutual wounds are given, and wrenching blows. + Sohrab now clasps his hands, and forward springs + Impatiently, and round the Champion clings; + Seizes his girdle belt, with power to tear + The very earth asunder; in despair + Rustem, defeated, feels his nerves give way, + And thundering falls. Sohrab bestrides his prey: + Grim as the lion, prowling through the wood, + Upon a wild ass springs, and pants for blood. + His lifted sword had lopt the gory head, + But Rustem, quick, with crafty ardour said:-- + "One moment, hold! what, are our laws unknown? + A Chief may fight till he is twice o'erthrown; + The second fall, his recreant blood is spilt, + These are our laws, avoid the menaced guilt." + + Proud of his strength, and easily deceived, + The wondering youth the artful tale believed; + Released his prey, and, wild as wind or wave, + Neglecting all the prudence of the brave, + Turned from the place, nor once the strife renewed, + But bounded o'er the plain and other cares pursued, + As if all memory of the war had died, + All thoughts of him with whom his strength was tried. + + Human, confounded at the stripling's stay, + Went forth, and heard the fortune of the day; + Amazed to find the mighty Rustem freed, + With deepest grief he wailed the luckless deed. + "What! loose a raging lion from the snare, + And let him growling hasten to his lair? + Bethink thee well; in war, from this unwise, + This thoughtless act what countless woes may rise; + Never again suspend the final blow, + Nor trust the seeming weakness of a foe!"[43] + "Hence with complaint," the dauntless youth replied, + "To-morrow's contest shall his fate decide." + + When Rustem was released, in altered mood + He sought the coolness of the murmuring flood; + There quenched his thirst; and bathed his limbs, and prayed, + Beseeching Heaven to yield its strengthening aid. + His pious prayer indulgent Heaven approved, + And growing strength through all his sinews moved;[44] + Such as erewhile his towering structure knew, + When his bold arm unconquered demons slew. + Yet in his mien no confidence appeared, + No ardent hope his wounded spirits cheered. + + Again they met. A glow of youthful grace, + Diffused its radiance o'er the stripling's face, + And when he saw in renovated guise, + The foe so lately mastered; with surprise, + He cried--"What! rescued from my power, again + Dost thou confront me on the battle plain? + Or, dost thou, wearied, draw thy vital breath, + And seek, from warrior bold, the shaft of death? + Truth has no charms for thee, old man; even now, + Some further cheat may lurk upon thy brow; + Twice have I shown thee mercy, twice thy age + Hath been thy safety--twice it soothed my rage." + Then mild the Champion: "Youth is proud and vain! + The idle boast a warrior would disdain; + This aged arm perhaps may yet control, + The wanton fury that inflames thy soul!" + + Again, dismounting, each the other viewed + With sullen glance, and swift the fight renewed; + Clenched front to front, again they tug and bend, + Twist their broad limbs as every nerve would rend; + With rage convulsive Rustem grasps him round; + Bends his strong back, and hurls him to the ground; + Him, who had deemed the triumph all his own; + But dubious of his power to keep him down, + Like lightning quick he gives the deadly thrust, + And spurns the Stripling weltering in the dust. + --Thus as his blood that shining steel imbrues, + Thine too shall flow, when Destiny pursues;[45] + For when she marks the victim of her power, + A thousand daggers speed the dying hour. + Writhing with pain Sohrab in murmurs sighed-- + And thus to Rustem--"Vaunt not, in thy pride; + Upon myself this sorrow have I brought, + Thou but the instrument of fate--which wrought + My downfall; thou are guiltless--guiltless quite; + O! had I seen my father in the fight, + My glorious father! Life will soon be o'er, + And his great deeds enchant my soul no more! + Of him my mother gave the mark and sign, + For him I sought, and what an end is mine! + My only wish on earth, my constant sigh, + Him to behold, and with that wish I die. + But hope not to elude his piercing sight, + In vain for thee the deepest glooms of night; + Couldst thou through Ocean's depths for refuge fly, + Or midst the star-beams track the upper sky! + Rustem, with vengeance armed, will reach thee there, + His soul the prey of anguish and despair." + + An icy horror chills the Champion's heart, + His brain whirls round with agonizing smart; + O'er his wan cheek no gushing sorrows flow, + Senseless he sinks beneath the weight of woe; + Relieved at length, with frenzied look, he cries: + "Prove thou art mine, confirm my doubting eyes! + For I am Rustem!" Piercing was the groan, + Which burst from his torn heart--as wild and lone, + He gazed upon him. Dire amazement shook + The dying youth, and mournful thus he spoke: + "If thou art Rustem, cruel is thy part, + No warmth paternal seems to fill thy heart; + Else hadst thou known me when, with strong desire, + I fondly claimed thee for my valiant sire; + Now from my body strip the shining mail, + Untie these bands, ere life and feeling fail; + And on my arm the direful proof behold! + Thy sacred bracelet of refulgent gold! + When the loud brazen drums were heard afar, + And, echoing round, proclaimed the pending war, + Whilst parting tears my mother's eyes o'erflowed, + This mystic gift her bursting heart bestowed: + 'Take this,' she said, 'thy father's token wear, + And promised glory will reward thy care.' + The hour is come, but fraught with bitterest woe, + We meet in blood to wail the fatal blow." + + The loosened mail unfolds the bracelet bright, + Unhappy gift! to Rustem's wildered sight, + Prostrate he falls--"By my unnatural hand, + My son, my son is slain--and from the land + Uprooted."--Frantic, in the dust his hair + He rends in agony and deep despair; + The western sun had disappeared in gloom, + And still, the Champion wept his cruel doom; + His wondering legions marked the long delay, + And, seeing Rakush riderless astray, + The rumour quick to Persia's Monarch spread, + And there described the mighty Rustem dead. + Kaus, alarmed, the fatal tidings hears; + His bosom quivers with increasing fears. + "Speed, speed, and see what has befallen to-day + To cause these groans and tears--what fatal fray! + If he be lost, if breathless on the ground, + And this young warrior, with the conquest crowned-- + Then must I, humbled, from my kingdom torn, + Wander like Jemshid, through the world forlorn."[46] + + The army roused, rushed o'er the dusty plain, + Urged by the Monarch to revenge the slain; + Wild consternation saddened every face, + Tus winged with horror sought the fatal place, + And there beheld the agonizing sight-- + The murderous end of that unnatural fight. + Sohrab, still breathing, hears the shrill alarms, + His gentle speech suspends the clang of arms: + "My light of life now fluttering sinks in shade, + Let vengeance sleep, and peaceful vows be made. + Beseech the King to spare this Tartar host, + For they are guiltless, all to them is lost; + I led them on, their souls with glory fired, + While mad ambition all my thoughts inspired. + In search of thee, the world before my eyes, + War was my choice, and thou the sacred prize; + With thee, my sire! in virtuous league combined, + No tyrant King should persecute mankind. + That hope is past--the storm has ceased to rave-- + My ripening honours wither in the grave; + Then let no vengeance on my comrades fall, + Mine was the guilt, and mine the sorrow, all; + How often have I sought thee--oft my mind + Figured thee to my sight--o'erjoyed to find + My mother's token; disappointment came, + When thou denied thy lineage and thy name; + Oh! still o'er thee my soul impassioned hung, + Still to my father fond affection clung! + But fate, remorseless, all my hopes withstood, + And stained thy reeking hands in kindred blood." + + His faltering breath protracted speech denied: + Still from his eye-lids flowed a gushing tide; + Through Rustem's soul redoubled horror ran, + Heart-rending thoughts subdued the mighty man, + And now, at last, with joy-illumined eye, + The Zabul bands their glorious Chief descry; + But when they saw his pale and haggard look, + Knew from what mournful cause he gazed and shook, + With downcast mien they moaned and wept aloud; + While Rustem thus addressed the weeping crowd + "Here ends the war! let gentle peace succeed, + Enough of death, I--I have done the deed!" + Then to his brother, groaning deep, he said-- + "O what a curse upon a parent's head! + But go--and to the Tartar say--no more, + Let war between us steep the earth with gore." + Zuara flew and wildly spoke his grief, + To crafty Human, the Turanian Chief, + Who, with dissembled sorrow, heard him tell + The dismal tidings which he knew too well; + "And who," he said, "has caused these tears to flow? + Who, but Hujir? He might have stayed the blow, + But when Sohrab his Father's banners sought; + He still denied that here the Champion fought; + He spread the ruin, he the secret knew, + Hence should his crime receive the vengeance due!" + Zuara, frantic, breathed in Rustem's ear, + The treachery of the captive Chief, Hujir; + Whose headless trunk had weltered on the strand, + But prayers and force withheld the lifted hand. + Then to his dying son the Champion turned, + Remorse more deep within his bosom burned; + A burst of frenzy fired his throbbing brain; + He clenched his sword, but found his fury vain; + The Persian Chiefs the desperate act represt, + And tried to calm the tumult in his breast: + Thus Gudarz spoke--"Alas! wert thou to give + Thyself a thousand wounds, and cease to live; + What would it be to him thou sorrowest o'er? + It would not save one pang--then weep no more; + For if removed by death, O say, to whom + Has ever been vouchsafed a different doom? + All are the prey of death--the crowned, the low, + And man, through life, the victim still of woe." + Then Rustem: "Fly! and to the King relate, + The pressing horrors which involve my fate; + And if the memory of my deeds e'er swayed + His mind, O supplicate his generous aid; + A sovereign balm he has whose wondrous power, + All wounds can heal, and fleeting life restore;[47] + Swift from his tent the potent medicine bring." + --But mark the malice of the brainless King! + Hard as the flinty rock, he stern denies + The healthful draught, and gloomy thus replies: + "Can I forgive his foul and slanderous tongue? + The sharp disdain on me contemptuous flung? + Scorned 'midst my army by a shameless boy, + Who sought my throne, my sceptre to destroy! + Nothing but mischief from his heart can flow, + Is it, then, wise to cherish such a foe? + The fool who warms his enemy to life, + Only prepares for scenes of future strife." + + Gudarz, returning, told the hopeless tale-- + And thinking Rustem's presence might prevail; + The Champion rose, but ere he reached the throne, + Sohrab had breathed the last expiring groan. + + Now keener anguish rack'd the father's mind, + Reft of his son, a murderer of his kind; + His guilty sword distained with filial gore, + He beat his burning breast, his hair he tore; + The breathless corse before his shuddering view, + A shower of ashes o'er his head he threw; + "In my old age," he cried, "what have I done? + Why have I slain my son, my innocent son! + Why o'er his splendid dawning did I roll + The clouds of death--and plunge my burthened soul + In agony? My son! from heroes sprung; + Better these hands were from my body wrung; + And solitude and darkness, deep and drear, + Fold me from sight than hated linger here. + But when his mother hears, with horror wild, + That I have shed the life-blood of her child, + So nobly brave, so dearly loved, in vain, + How can her heart that rending shock sustain?" + + Now on a bier the Persian warriors place + The breathless Youth, and shade his pallid face; + And turning from that fatal field away, + Move towards the Champion's home in long array. + Then Rustem, sick of martial pomp and show, + Himself the spring of all this scene of woe, + Doomed to the flames the pageantry he loved, + Shield, spear, and mace, so oft in battle proved; + Now lost to all, encompassed by despair; + His bright pavilion crackling blazed in air; + The sparkling throne the ascending column fed; + In smoking fragments fell the golden bed; + The raging fire red glimmering died away, + And all the Warrior's pride in dust and ashes lay. + + Kaus, the King, now joins the mournful Chief, + And tries to soothe his deep and settled grief; + For soon or late we yield our vital breath, + And all our worldly troubles end in death! + "When first I saw him, graceful in his might, + He looked far other than a Tartar knight; + Wondering I gazed--now Destiny has thrown + Him on thy sword--he fought, and he is gone; + And should even Heaven against the earth be hurled, + Or fire inwrap in crackling flames the world, + That which is past--we never can restore, + His soul has travelled to some happier shore. + Alas! no good from sorrow canst thou reap, + Then wherefore thus in gloom and misery weep?" + + But Rustem's mighty woes disdained his aid, + His heart was drowned in grief, and thus he said: + "Yes, he is gone! to me for ever lost! + O then protect his brave unguided host; + From war removed and this detested place, + Let them, unharmed, their mountain-wilds retrace; + Bid them secure my brother's will obey, + The careful guardian of their weary way,[48] + To where the Jihun's distant waters stray." + To this the King: "My soul is sad to see + Thy hopeless grief--but, since approved by thee, + The war shall cease--though the Turanian brand + Has spread dismay and terror through the land." + + The King, appeased, no more with vengeance burned, + The Tartar legions to their homes returned; + The Persian warriors, gathering round the dead, + Grovelled in dust, and tears of sorrow shed; + Then back to loved Iran their steps the monarch led. + + But Rustem, midst his native bands, remained, + And further rites of sacrifice maintained; + A thousand horses bled at his command, + And the torn drums were scattered o'er the sand; + And now through Zabul's deep and bowery groves, + In mournful pomp the sad procession moves. + The mighty Chief on foot precedes the bier; + His Warrior-friends, in grief assembled near: + The dismal cadence rose upon the gale, + And Zal astonished heard the piercing wail; + He and his kindred joined the solemn train; + Hung round the bier and wondering viewed the slain. + "There gaze, and weep!" the sorrowing Father said, + "For there, behold my glorious offspring dead!" + The hoary Sire shrunk backward with surprise, + And tears of blood o'erflowed his aged eyes; + And now the Champion's rural palace gate + Receives the funeral group in gloomy state; + Rudabeh loud bemoaned the Stripling's doom; + Sweet flower, all drooping in the hour of bloom, + His tender youth in distant bowers had past, + Sheltered at home he felt no withering blast; + In the soft prison of his mother's arms, + Secure from danger and the world's alarms. + O ruthless Fortune! flushed with generous pride, + He sought his sire, and thus unhappy, died. + + Rustem again the sacred bier unclosed; + Again Sohrab to public view exposed; + Husbands, and wives, and warriors, old and young, + Struck with amaze, around the body hung, + With garments rent and loosely flowing hair; + Their shrieks and clamours filled the echoing air; + Frequent they cried: "Thus Sam the Champion slept! + Thus sleeps Sohrab!" Again they groaned, and wept. + + Now o'er the corpse a yellow robe is spread, + The aloes bier is closed upon the dead; + And, to preserve the hapless hero's name, + Fragrant and fresh, that his unblemished fame + Might live and bloom through all succeeding days, + A mound sepulchral on the spot they raise, + Formed like a charger's hoof. + + In every ear + The story has been told--and many a tear, + Shed at the sad recital. Through Turan, + Afrasiyab's wide realm, and Samengan, + Deep sunk the tidings--nuptial bower, and bed, + And all that promised happiness, had fled! + + But when Tahmineh heard this tale of woe, + Think how a mother bore the mortal blow! + Distracted, wild, she sprang from place to place; + With frenzied hands deformed her beauteous face; + The musky locks her polished temples crowned. + Furious she tore, and flung upon the ground; + Starting, in agony of grief, she gazed-- + Her swimming eyes to Heaven imploring raised; + And groaning cried: "Sole comfort of my life! + Doomed the sad victim of unnatural strife, + Where art thou now with dust and blood defiled? + Thou darling boy, my lost, my murdered child! + When thou wert gone--how, night and lingering day, + Did thy fond mother watch the time away; + For hope still pictured all I wished to see, + Thy father found, and thou returned to me, + Yes--thou, exulting in thy father's fame! + And yet, nor sire nor son, nor tidings, came: + How could I dream of this? ye met--but how? + That noble aspect--that ingenuous brow, + Moved not a nerve in him--ye met--to part, + Alas! the life-blood issuing from the heart + Short was the day which gave to me delight, + Soon, soon, succeeds a long and dismal night; + On whom shall now devolve my tender care? + Who, loved like thee, my bosom-sorrows share? + Whom shall I take to fill thy vacant place, + To whom extend a mother's soft embrace? + Sad fate! for one so young, so fair, so brave, + Seeking thy father thus to find a grave. + These arms no more shall fold thee to my breast, + No more with thee my soul be doubly blest; + No, drowned in blood thy lifeless body lies, + For ever torn from these desiring eyes; + Friendless, alone, beneath a foreign sky, + Thy mail thy death-clothes--and thy father, by; + Why did not I conduct thee on the way, + And point where Rustem's bright pavilion lay? + Thou hadst the tokens--why didst thou withhold + Those dear remembrances--that pledge of gold? + Hadst thou the bracelet to his view restored, + Thy precious blood had never stained his sword." + + The strong emotion choked her panting breath, + Her veins seemed withered by the cold of death: + The trembling matrons hastening round her mourned, + With piercing cries, till fluttering life returned; + Then gazing up, distraught, she wept again, + And frantic, seeing 'midst her pitying train, + The favourite steed--now more than ever dear, + The hoofs she kissed, and bathed with many a tear; + Clasping the mail Sohrab in battle wore, + With burning lips she kissed it o'er and o'er; + His martial robes she in her arms comprest, + And like an infant strained them to her breast; + The reins, and trappings, club, and spear, were brought, + The sword, and shield, with which the Stripling fought, + These she embraced with melancholy joy, + In sad remembrance of her darling boy. + And still she beat her face, and o'er them hung, + As in a trance--or to them wildly clung-- + Day after day she thus indulged her grief, + Night after night, disdaining all relief; + At length worn out--from earthly anguish riven, + The mother's spirit joined her child in Heaven. + + + +THE STORY OF SAIAWUSH + +Early one morning as the cock crew, Tus arose, and accompanied by Giw +and Gudarz and a company of horsemen, proceeded on a hunting excursion, +not far from the banks of the Jihun, where, after ranging about the +forest for some time, they happened to fall in with a damsel of extreme +beauty, with smiling lips, blooming cheeks, and fascinating mien. They +said to her: + + "Never was seen so sweet a flower, + In garden, vale, or fairy bower; + The moon is on thy lovely face, + Thy cypress-form is full of grace; + But why, with charms so soft and meek, + Dost thou the lonely forest seek?" + +She replied that her father was a violent man, and that she had left her +home to escape his anger. She had crossed the river Jihun, and had +travelled several leagues on foot, in consequence of her horse being too +much fatigued to bear her farther. She had at that time been three days +in the forest. On being questioned respecting her parentage, she said +her father's name was Shiwer, of the race of Feridun. Many sovereigns +had been suitors for her hand, but she did not approve of one of them. +At last he wanted to marry her to Poshang, the ruler of Turan, but she +refused him on account of his ugliness and bad temper! This she said was +the cause of her father's violence, and of her flight from home. + + "But when his angry mood is o'er, + He'll love his daughter as before; + And send his horsemen far and near, + To take me to my mother dear; + Therefore, I would not further stray, + But here, without a murmur, stay." + +The hearts of both Tus and Giw were equally inflamed with love for the +damsel, and each was equally determined to support his own pretensions, +in consequence of which a quarrel arose between them. At length it was +agreed to refer the matter to the king, and to abide by his decision. +When, however, the king beheld the lovely object of contention, he was +not disposed to give her to either claimant, but without hesitation took +her to himself, after having first ascertained that she was of +distinguished family and connection. In due time a son was born to him, +who was, according to the calculations of the astrologers, of wonderful +promise, and named Saiawush. The prophecies about his surprising +virtues, and his future renown, made Kaus anxious that justice should be +done to his opening talents, and he was highly gratified when Rustem +agreed to take him to Zabulistan, and there instruct him in all the +accomplishments which were suitable to his illustrious rank. He was +accordingly taught horsemanship and archery, how to conduct himself at +banquets, how to hunt with the falcon and the leopard, and made familiar +with the manners and duty of kings, and the hardy chivalry of the age. +His progress in the attainment of every species of knowledge and science +was surprising, and in hunting he never stooped to the pursuit of +animals inferior to the lion or the tiger. It was not long before the +youth felt anxious to pay a visit to his father, and Rustem willingly +complying with his wishes, accompanied his accomplished pupil to the +royal court, where they were both received with becoming distinction, +Saiawush having fulfilled Kaus's expectations in the highest degree, and +the king's gratitude to the champion being in proportion to the eminent +merit of his services on the interesting occasion. After this, however, +preceptors were continued to enlighten his mind seven years longer, and +then he was emancipated from further application and study. + +One day Sudaveh, the daughter of the Shah of Hamaveran, happening to see +Saiawush sitting with his father, the beauty of his person made an +instantaneous impression on her heart, + + The fire of love consumed her breast, + The thoughts of him denied her rest. + For him alone she pined in grief, + From him alone she sought relief, + And called him to her secret bower, + To while away the passing hour: + But Saiawush refused the call, + He would not shame his father's hall. + +The enamoured Sudaveh, however, was not to be disappointed without +further effort, and on a subsequent day she boldly went to the king, and +praising the character and attainments of his son, proposed that he +should be united in marriage to one of the damsels of royal lineage +under her care. For the pretended purpose therefore of making his +choice, she requested he might be sent to the harem, to see all the +ladies and fix on one the most suited to his taste. The king approved of +the proposal, and intimated it to Saiawush; but Saiawush was modest, +timid, and bashful, and mentally suspected in this overture some +artifice of Sudaveh. He accordingly hesitated, but the king overcame his +scruples, and the youth at length repaired to the shubistan, as the +retired apartments of the women are called, with fear and trembling. +When he entered within the precincts of the sacred place, he was +surprised by the richness and magnificence of everything that struck his +sight. He was delighted with the company of beautiful women, and he +observed Sudaveh sitting on a splendid throne in an interior chamber, +like Heaven in beauty and loveliness, with a coronet on her head, and +her hair floating round her in musky ringlets. Seeing him she descended +gracefully, and clasping him in her arms, kissed his eyes and face with +such ardor and enthusiasm that he thought proper to retire from her +endearments and mix among the other damsels, who placed him on a golden +chair and kept him in agreeable conversation for some time. After this +pleasing interview he returned to the king, and gave him a very +favorable account of his reception, and the heavenly splendor of the +retirement, worthy of Jemshid, Feridun, or Husheng, which gladdened his +father's heart. Kaus repeated to him his wish that he would at once +choose one of the lights of the harem for his wife, as the astrologers +had prophesied on his marriage the birth of a prince. But Saiawush +endeavored to excuse himself from going again to Sudaveh's apartments. +The king smiled at his weakness, and assured him that Sudaveh was alone +anxious for his happiness, upon which the youth found himself again in +her power. She was surrounded by the damsels as before, but, whilst his +eyes were cast down, they shortly disappeared, leaving him and the +enamoured Sudaveh together. She soon approached him, and lovingly +said:-- + + "O why the secret keep from one, + Whose heart is fixed on thee alone! + Say who thou art, from whom descended, + Some Peri with a mortal blended. + For every maid who sees that face, + That cypress-form replete with grace, + Becomes a victim to the wiles + Which nestle in those dimpled smiles; + Becomes thy own adoring slave, + Whom nothing but thy love can save." + +To this Saiawush made no reply. The history of the adventure of Kaus at +Hamaveran, and what the king and his warriors endured in consequence of +the treachery of the father of Sudaveh, flashed upon his mind. He +therefore was full of apprehension, and breathed not a word in answer to +her fondness. Sudaveh observing his silence and reluctance, threw away +from herself the veil of modesty, + + And said: "O be my own, for I am thine, + And clasp me in thy arms!" And then she sprang + To the astonished boy, and eagerly + Kissed his deep crimsoned cheek, which filled his soul + With strange confusion. "When the king is dead, + O take me to thyself; see how I stand, + Body and soul devoted unto thee." + In his heart he said: "This never can be: + This is a demon's work--shall I be treacherous? + What! to my own dear father? Never, never; + I will not thus be tempted by the devil; + Yet must I not be cold to this wild woman, + For fear of further folly." + +Saiawush then expressed his readiness to be united in marriage to her +daughter, and to no other; and when this intelligence was conveyed to +Kaus by Sudaveh herself, His Majesty was extremely pleased, and +munificently opened his treasury on the happy occasion. But Sudaveh +still kept in view her own design, and still laboring for its success, +sedulously read her own incantations to prevent disappointment, at any +rate to punish the uncomplying youth if she failed. On another day she +sent for him, and exclaimed:-- + + "I cannot now dissemble; since I saw thee + I seem to be as dead--my heart all withered. + Seven years have passed in unrequited love-- + Seven long, long years. O! be not still obdurate, + But with the generous impulse of affection, + Oh, bless my anxious spirit, or, refusing, + Thy life will be in peril; thou shalt die!" + "Never," replied the youth; "O, never, never; + Oh, ask me not, for this can never be." + +Saiawush then rose to depart precipitately, but Sudaveh observing him, +endeavored to cling round him and arrest his flight. The endeavor, +however, was fruitless; and finding at length her situation desperate, +she determined to turn the adventure into her own favor, by accusing +Saiawush of an atrocious outrage on her own person and virtue. She +accordingly tore her dress, screamed aloud, and rushed out of her +apartment to inform Kaus of the indignity she had suffered. Among her +women the most clamorous lamentations arose, and echoed on every side. +The king, on hearing that Saiawush had preferred Sudaveh to her +daughter, and that he had meditated so abominable an offence, thought +that death alone could expiate his crime. He therefore summoned him to +his presence; but satisfied that it would be difficult, if not +impossible, to ascertain the truth of the case from either party +concerned, he had recourse to a test which he thought would be +infallible and conclusive. He first smelt the hands of Saiawush, and +then his garments, which had the scent of rose-water; and then he took +the garments of Sudaveh, which, on the contrary, had a strong flavor of +wine and musk. Upon this discovery, the king resolved on the death of +Sudaveh, being convinced of the falsehood of the accusation she had made +against his son. But when his indignation subsided, he was induced on +various accounts to forego that resolution. Yet he said to her, "I am +sure that Saiawush is innocent, but let that remain concealed."--Sudaveh, +however, persisted in asserting his guilt, and continually urged him to +punish the reputed offender, but without being attended to. + +At length he resolved to ascertain the innocence of Saiawush by the +ordeal of fire; and the fearless youth prepared to undergo the terrible +trial to which he was sentenced, telling his father to be under no +alarm. + + "The truth (and its reward I claim), + Will bear me safe through fiercest flame." + +A tremendous fire was accordingly lighted on the adjacent plain, which +blazed to an immense distance. The youth was attired in his golden +helmet and a white robe, and mounted on a black horse. He put up a +prayer to the Almighty for protection, and then rushed amidst the +conflagration, as collectedly as if the act had been entirely free from +peril. When Sudaveh heard the confused exclamations that were uttered at +that moment, she hurried upon the terrace of the palace and witnessed +the appalling sight, and in the fondness of her heart, wished even that +she could share his fate, the fate of him of whom she was so deeply +enamoured. The king himself fell from his throne in horror on seeing him +surrounded and enveloped in the flames, from which there seemed no +chance of extrication; but the gallant youth soon rose up, like the moon +from the bursting element, and went through the ordeal unharmed and +untouched by the fire. Kaus, on coming to his senses, rejoiced +exceedingly on the happy occasion, and his severest anger was directed +against Sudaveh, whom he now determined to put to death, not only for +her own guilt, but for exposing his son to such imminent danger. The +noble youth, however, interceded for her. Sudaveh, notwithstanding, +still continued to practise her charms and incantations in secret, to +the end that Saiawush might be put out of the way; and in this pursuit +she was indeed indefatigable. + +Suddenly intelligence was received that Afrasiyab had assembled another +army, for the purpose of making an irruption into Iran; and Kaus, seeing +that a Tartar could neither be bound by promise nor oath, resolved that +he would on this occasion take the field himself, penetrate as far as +Balkh, and seizing the country, make an example of the inhabitants. But +Saiawush perceiving in this prospect of affairs an opportunity of +becoming free from the machinations and witchery of Sudaveh, earnestly +requested to be employed, adding that, with the advice and bravery of +Rustem, he would be sure of success. The king referred the matter to +Rustem, who candidly declared that there was no necessity whatever for +His Majesty proceeding personally to the war; and upon this assurance he +threw open his treasury, and supplied all the resources of the empire to +equip the troops appointed to accompany them. After one month the army +marched toward Balkh, the point of attack. + +On the other side Gersiwaz, the ruler of Balghar, joined the Tartar +legions at Balkh, commanded by Barman, who both sallied forth to oppose +the Persian host, and after a conflict of three days were defeated, and +obliged to abandon the fort. When the accounts of this calamity reached +Afrasiyab, he was seized with the utmost terror, which was increased by +a dreadful dream. He thought he was in a forest abounding with serpents, +and that the air was darkened by the appearance of countless eagles. The +ground was parched up with heat, and a whirlwind hurled down his tent +and overthrew his banners. On every side flowed a river of blood, and +the whole of his army had been defeated and butchered in his sight. He +was afterwards taken prisoner, and ignominiously conducted to Kaus, in +whose company he beheld a gallant youth, not more than fourteen years of +age, who, the moment he saw him, plunged a dagger in his loins, and with +the scream of agony produced by the wound, he awoke. Gersiwaz had in the +meantime returned with the remnant of his force; and being informed of +these particulars, endeavored to console Afrasiyab, by assuring him that +the true interpretation of dreams was the reverse of appearances. But +Afrasiyab was not to be consoled in this manner. He referred to his +astrologers, who, however, hesitated, and were unwilling to afford an +explanation of the mysterious vision. At length one of them, upon the +solicited promise that the king would not punish him for divulging the +truth, described the nature of the warning implied in what had been +witnessed. + + "And now I throw aside the veil, + Which hides the darkly shadowed tale. + Led by a prince of prosperous star, + The Persian legions speed to war, + And in his horoscope we scan + The lordly victor of Turan. + If thou shouldst to the conflict rush, + Opposed to conquering Saiawush, + Thy Turkish cohorts will be slain, + And all thy saving efforts vain. + For if he, in the threatened strife, + Should haply chance to lose his life; + Thy country's fate will be the same, + Stripped of its throne and diadem." + +Afrasiyab was satisfied with this interpretation, and felt the prudence +of avoiding a war so pregnant with evil consequences to himself and his +kingdom. He therefore deputed Gersiwaz to the headquarters of Saiawush, +with splendid presents, consisting of horses richly caparisoned, armor, +swords, and other costly articles, and a written dispatch, proposing a +termination to hostilities. + +In the meantime Saiawush was anxious to pursue the enemy across the +Jihun, but was dissuaded by his friends. When Gersiwaz arrived on his +embassy he was received with distinction, and the object of his mission +being understood, a secret council was held upon what answer should be +given. It was then deemed proper to demand: first, one hundred +distinguished heroes as hostages; and secondly, the restoration of all +the provinces which the Turanians had taken from Iran. Gersiwaz sent +immediately to Afrasiyab to inform him of the conditions required, and +without the least delay they were approved. A hundred warriors were soon +on their way; and Bokhara, and Samerkand, and Haj, and the Punjab, were +faithfully delivered over to Saiawush. Afrasiyab himself retired towards +Gungduz, saying, "I have had a terrible dream, and I will surrender +whatever may be required from me, rather than go to war." + +The negotiations being concluded, Saiawush sent a letter to his father +by the hands of Rustem. Rumor, however, had already told Kaus of +Afrasiyab's dream, and the terror he had been thrown into in +consequence. The astrologers in his service having prognosticated from +it the certain ruin of the Turanian king, the object of Rustem's mission +was directly contrary to the wishes of Kaus; but Rustem contended that +the policy was good, and the terms were good, and he thereby incurred +His Majesty's displeasure. On this account Kaus appointed Tus the leader +of the Persian army, and commanded him to march against Afrasiyab, +ordering Saiawush at the same time to return, and bring with him his +hundred hostages. At this command Saiawush was grievously offended, and +consulted with his chieftains, Bahram, and Zinga, and Shaweran, on the +fittest course to be pursued, saying, "I have pledged my word to the +fulfilment of the terms, and what will the world say if I do not keep my +faith?" The chiefs tried to quiet his mind, and recommended him to write +again to Kaus, expressing his readiness to renew the war, and return the +hundred hostages. But Saiawush was in a different humor, and thought as +Tus had been actually appointed to the command of the Persian army, it +would be most advisable for him to abandon his country and join +Afrasiyab. The chiefs, upon hearing this singular resolution, +unanimously attempted to dissuade him from pursuing so wild a course as +throwing himself into the power of his enemy; but he was deaf to their +entreaties, and in the stubbornness of his spirit, wrote to Afrasiyab, +informing him that Kaus had refused to ratify the treaty of peace, that +he was compelled to return the hostages, and even himself to seek +protection in Turan from the resentment of his father, the warrior Tus +having been already entrusted with the charge of the army. This +unexpected intelligence excited considerable surprise in the mind of +Afrasiyab, but he had no hesitation in selecting the course to be +followed. The ambassadors, Zinga and Shaweran, were soon furnished with +a reply, which was to this effect:--"I settled the terms of peace with +thee, not with thy father. With him I have nothing to do. If thy choice +be retirement and tranquillity, thou shalt have a peaceful and +independent province allotted to thee; but if war be thy object, I will +furnish thee with a large army: thy father is old and infirm, and with +the aid of Rustem, Persia will be an easy conquest." Having thus +obtained the promised favor and support of Afrasiyab, Saiawush gave in +charge to Bahram the city of Balkh, the army and treasure, in order that +they might be delivered over to Tus on his arrival; and taking with him +three hundred chosen horsemen, passed the Jihun, in progress to the +court of Afrasiyab. On taking this decisive step, he again wrote to +Kaus, saying:-- + + "From my youth upward I have suffered wrong. + At first Sudaveh, false and treacherous, + Sought to destroy my happiness and fame; + And thou hadst nearly sacrificed my life + To glut her vengeance. The astrologers + Were all unheeded, who pronounced me innocent, + And I was doomed to brave devouring fire, + To testify that I was free from guilt; + But God was my deliverer! Victory now + Has marked my progress. Balkh, and all its spoils, + Are mine, and so reduced the enemy, + That I have gained a hundred hostages, + To guarantee the peace which I have made; + And what my recompense! a father's anger, + Which takes me from my glory. Thus deprived + Of thy affection, whither can I fly? + Be it to friend or foe, the will of fate + Must be my only guide--condemned by thee." + +The reception of Saiawush by Afrasiyab was warm and flattering. From the +gates of the city to the palace, gold and incense were scattered over +his head in the customary manner, and exclamations of welcome uttered on +every side. + + "Thy presence gives joy to the land, + Which awaits thy command; + It is thine! it is thine! + All the chiefs of the state have assembled to meet thee, + All the flowers of the land are in blossom to greet thee!" + +The youth was placed on a golden throne next to Afrasiyab, and a +magnificent banquet prepared in honor of the stranger, and music and the +songs of beautiful women enlivened the festive scene. They chanted the +praises of Saiawush, distinguished, as they said, among men for three +things: first, for being of the line of Kai-kobad; secondly, for his +faith and honor; and, thirdly, for the wonderful beauty of his person, +which had gained universal love and admiration. The favorable sentiments +which characterized the first introduction of Saiawush to Afrasiyab +continued to prevail, and indeed the king of Turan seemed to regard him +with increased attachment and friendship, as the time passed away, and +showed him all the respect and honor to which his royal birth would have +entitled him in his own country. After the lapse of a year, Piran-wisah, +one of Afrasiyab's generals, said to him: "Young prince, thou art now +high in the favor of the king, and at a great distance from Persia, and +thy father is old; would it not therefore be better for thee to marry +and take up thy residence among us for life?" The suggestion was a +rational one, and Saiawush readily expressed his acquiescence; +accordingly, the lovely Gulshaher, who was also named Jarira, having +been introduced to him, he was delighted with her person, and both +consenting to a union, the marriage ceremony was immediately performed. + + And many a warm delicious kiss, + Told how he loved the wedded bliss. + +Some time after this union, Piran suggested another alliance, for the +purpose of strengthening his political interest and power, and this was +with Ferangis, the daughter of Afrasiyab. But Saiawush was so devoted to +Gulshaher that he first consulted with her on the subject, although the +hospitality and affection of the king constituted such strong claims on +his gratitude that refusal was impossible. Gulshaher, however, was a +heroine, and willingly sacrificed her own feelings for the good of +Saiawush, saying she would rather condescend to be the very handmaid of +Ferangis than that the happiness and prosperity of her lord should be +compromised. The second marriage accordingly took place, and Afrasiyab +was so pleased with the match that he bestowed on the bride and her +husband the sovereignty of Khoten, together with countless treasure in +gold, and a great number of horses, camels, and elephants. In a short +time they proceeded to the seat of the new government. + +Meanwhile Kaus suffered the keenest distress and sorrow when he heard of +the flight of Saiawush into Turan, and Rustem felt such strong +indignation at the conduct of the king that he abruptly quitted the +court, without permission, and retired to Sistan. Kaus thus found +himself in an embarrassed condition, and deemed it prudent to recall +both Tus and the army from Balkh, and relinquish further hostile +measures against Afrasiyab. + +The first thing that Saiawush undertook after his arrival at Khoten, was +to order the selection of a beautiful site for his residence, and Piran +devoted his services to fulfil that object, exploring all the provinces, +hills, and dales, on every side. At last he discovered a beautiful spot, +at the distance of about a month's journey, which combined all the +qualities and advantages required by the anxious prince. It was situated +on a mountain, and surrounded by scenery of exquisite richness and +variety. The trees were fresh and green, birds warbled on every spray, +transparent rivulets murmured through the meadows, the air was neither +oppressively hot in summer, nor cold in winter, so that the temperature, +and the attractive objects which presented themselves at every glance, +seemed to realize the imagined charms and fascinations of Paradise. The +inhabitants enjoyed perpetual health, and every breeze was laden with +music and perfume. So lovely a place could not fail to yield pleasure to +Saiawush, who immediately set about building a palace there, and +garden-temples, in which he had pictures painted of the most remarkable +persons of his time, and also the portraits of ancient kings. The walls +were decorated with the likenesses of Kai-kobad, of Kai-kaus, Poshang, +Afrasiyab, and Sam, and Zal, and Rustem, and other champions of Persia +and Turan. When completed, it was a gorgeous retreat, and the sight of +it sufficient to give youthful vigor to the withered faculties of age. +And yet Saiawush was not happy! Tears started into his eyes and sorrow +weighed upon his heart, whenever he thought upon his own estrangement +from home! + +It happened that the lovely Gulshaher, who had been left in the house of +her father, was delivered of a son in due time, and he was named Ferud. + +Afrasiyab, on being informed of the proceedings of Saiawush, and of the +heart-expanding residence he had chosen, was highly gratified; and to +show his affectionate regard, despatched to him with the intelligence of +the birth of a son, presents of great value and variety. Gersiwaz, the +brother of Afrasiyab, and who had from the first looked upon Saiawush +with a jealous and malignant eye, being afraid of his interfering with +his own prospects in Turan, was the person sent on this occasion. But he +hid his secret thoughts under the veil of outward praise and +approbation. Saiawush was pleased with the intelligence and the +presents, but failed to pay the customary respect to Gersiwaz on his +arrival, and, in consequence, the lurking indignation and hatred +formerly felt by the latter were considerably augmented. The attention +of Saiawush respecting his army and the concerns of the state, was +unremitting, and noted by the visitor with a jealous and scrutinizing +eye, so that Gersiwaz, on his return to the court of Afrasiyab, artfully +talked much of the pomp and splendor of the prince, and added: "Saiawush +is far from being the amiable character thou hast supposed; he is artful +and ambitious, and he has collected an immense army; he is in fact +dissatisfied. As a proof of his haughtiness, he paid me but little +attention, and doubtless very heavy calamity will soon befall Turan, +should he break out, as I apprehend he will, into open rebellion:-- + + "For he is proud, and thou has yet to learn + The temper of thy daughter Ferangis, + Now bound to him in duty and affection; + Their purpose is the same, to overthrow + The kingdom of Turan, and thy dominion; + To merge the glory of this happy realm + Into the Persian empire!" + +But plausible and persuasive as were the observations and positive +declarations of Gersiwaz, Afrasiyab would not believe the imputed +ingratitude and hostility of Saiawush. "He has sought my protection," +said he; "he has thrown himself upon my generosity, and I cannot think +him treacherous. But if he has meditated anything unmerited by me, and +unworthy of himself, it will be better to send him back to Kai-kaus, his +father." The artful Gersiwaz, however, was not to be diverted from his +object: he said that Saiawush had become personally acquainted with +Turan, its position, its weakness, its strength, and resources, and +aided by Rustem, would soon be able to overrun the country if he was +suffered to return, and therefore he recommended Afrasiyab to bring him +from Khoten by some artifice, and secure him. In conformity with this +suggestion, Gersiwaz was again deputed to the young prince, and a letter +of a friendly nature written for the purpose of blinding him to the real +intentions of his father-in-law. The letter was no sooner read than +Saiawush expressed his desire to comply with the request contained in +it, saying that Afrasiyab had been a father to him, and that he would +lose no time in fulfilling in all respects the wishes he had received. + +This compliance and promptitude, however, was not in harmony with the +sinister views of Gersiwaz, for he foresaw that the very fact of +answering the call immediately would show that some misrepresentation +had been practised, and consequently it was his business now to promote +procrastination, and an appearance of evasive delay. He therefore said +to him privately that it would be advisable for him to wait a little, +and not manifest such implicit obedience to the will of Afrasiyab; but +Saiawush replied, that both his duty and affection urged him to a ready +compliance. Then Gersiwaz pressed him more warmly, and represented how +inconsistent, how unworthy of his illustrious lineage it would be to +betray so meek a spirit, especially as he had a considerable army at his +command, and could vindicate his dignity and his rights. And he +addressed to him these specious arguments so incessantly and with such +earnestness, that the deluded prince was at last induced to put off his +departure, on account of his wife Ferangis pretending that she was ill, +and saying that the moment she was better he would return to Turan. This +was quite enough for treachery to work upon; and as soon as the dispatch +was sealed, Gersiwaz conveyed it with the utmost expedition to +Afrasiyab. Appearances, at least, were thus made strong against +Saiawush, and the tyrant of Turan, now easily convinced of his +falsehood, and feeling in consequence his former enmity renewed, +forthwith assembled an army to punish his refractory son-in-law. +Gersiwaz was appointed the leader of that army, which was put in motion +without delay against the unoffending youth. The news of Afrasiyab's +warlike preparations satisfied the mind of Saiawush that Gersiwaz had +given him good advice, and that he had been a faithful monitor, for +immediate compliance, he now concluded, would have been his utter ruin. +When he communicated this unwelcome intelligence to Ferangis, she was +thrown into the greatest alarm and agitation; but ever fruitful in +expedients, suggested the course that it seemed necessary he should +instantly adopt, which was to fly by a circuitous route back to Iran. To +this he expressed no dissent, provided she would accompany him; but she +said it was impossible to do so on account of the condition she was in. +"Leave me," she added, "and save thy own life!" He therefore called +together his three hundred Iranians, and requesting Ferangis, if she +happened to be delivered of a son, to call him Kai-khosrau, set off on +his journey. + + "I go, surrounded by my enemies; + The hand of merciless Afrasiyab + Lifted against me." + +It was not the fortune of Saiawush, however, to escape so easily as had +been anticipated by Ferangis. Gersiwaz was soon at his heels, and in the +battle that ensued, all the Iranians were killed, and also the horse +upon which the unfortunate prince rode, so that on foot he could make +but little progress. In the meantime Afrasiyab came up, and surrounding +him, wanted to shoot him with an arrow, but he was restrained from the +violent act by the intercession of his people, who recommended his being +taken alive, and only kept in prison. Accordingly he was again attacked +and secured, and still Afrasiyab wished to put him to death; but Pilsam, +one of his warriors, and the brother of Piran, induced him to relinquish +that diabolical intention, and to convey him back to his own palace. +Saiawush was then ignominiously fettered and conducted to the royal +residence, which he had himself erected and ornamented with such +richness and magnificence. The sight of the city and its splendid +buildings filled every one with wonder and admiration. Upon the arrival +of Afrasiyab, Ferangis hastened to him in a state of the deepest +distress, and implored his clemency and compassion in favor of Saiawush. + + "O father, he is not to blame, + Still pure and spotless is his name; + Faithful and generous still to me, + And never--never false to thee. + This hate to Gersiwaz he owes, + The worst, the bitterest of his foes; + Did he not thy protection seek, + And wilt thou overpower the weak? + Spill royal blood thou shouldest bless, + In cruel sport and wantonness? + And earn the curses of mankind, + Living, in this precarious state, + And dead, the torments of the mind, + Which hell inflicts upon the great + Who revel in a murderous course, + And rule by cruelty and force. + + "It scarce becomes me now to tell, + What the accursed Zohak befel, + Or what the punishment which hurled + Silim and Tur from out the world. + And is not Kaus living now, + With rightful vengeance on his brow? + And Rustem, who alone can make + Thy kingdom to its centre quake? + Gudarz, Zuara, and Friburz, + And Tus, and Girgin, and Framurz; + And others too of fearless might, + To challenge thee to mortal fight? + O, from this peril turn away, + Close not in gloom so bright a day; + Some heed to thy poor daughter give, + And let thy guiltless captive live." + +The effect of this appeal, solemnly and urgently delivered, was only +transitory. Afrasiyab felt a little compunction at the moment, but soon +resumed his ferocious spirit, and to ensure, without interruption, the +accomplishment of his purpose, confined Ferangis in one of the remotest +parts of the palace:-- + + And thus to Gersiwaz unfeeling spoke: + "Off with his head, down with the enemy; + But take especial notice that his blood + Stains not the earth, lest it should cry aloud + For vengeance on us. Take good care of that!" + +Gersiwaz, who was but too ready an instrument, immediately directed +Karu-zira, a kinsman of Afrasiyab, who had been also one of the most +zealous in promoting the ruin of the Persian prince, to inflict the +deadly blow; and Saiawush, whilst under the grasp of the executioner, +had but time to put up a prayer to Heaven, in which he hoped that a son +might be born to him to vindicate his good name, and be revenged on his +murderer. The executioner then seized him by the hair, and throwing him +on the ground, severed the head from the body. A golden vessel was ready +to receive the blood, as commanded by Afrasiyab; but a few drops +happened to be spilt on the soil, and upon that spot a tree grew up, +which was afterwards called Saiawush, and believed to possess many +wonderful virtues! The blood was carefully conveyed to Afrasiyab, the +head fixed on the point of a javelin, and the body was buried with +respect and affection by his friend Pilsam, who had witnessed the +melancholy catastrophe. It is also related that a tremendous tempest +occurred at the time this amiable prince was murdered, and that a total +darkness covered the face of the earth, so that the people could not +distinguish each other's faces. Then was the name of Afrasiyab truly +execrated and abhorred for the cruel act he had committed, and all the +inhabitants of Khoten long cherished the memory of Saiawush. + +Ferangis was frantic with grief when she was told of the sad fate of her +husband, and all her household uttered the loudest lamentations. Pilsam +gave the intelligence to Piran and the proverb was then remembered: "It +is better to be in hell, than under the rule of Afrasiyab!" When the +deep sorrow of Ferangis reached the ears of her father, he determined on +a summary procedure, and ordered Gersiwaz to have her privately made +away with, so that there might be no issue of her marriage with +Saiawush. + + Piran with horror heard this stern command, + And hasten'd to the king, and thus addressed him: + "What! wouldst thou hurl thy vengeance on a woman, + That woman, too, thy daughter? Is it wise, + Or natural, thus to sport with human life? + Already hast thou taken from her arms + Her unoffending husband--that was cruel; + But thus to shed an innocent woman's blood, + And kill her unborn infant--that would be + Too dreadful to imagine! Is she not + Thy own fair daughter, given in happier time + To him who won thy favour and affection? + Think but of that, and from thy heart root out + This demon wish, which leads thee to a crime, + Mocking concealment; vain were the endeavour + To keep the murder secret, and when known, + The world's opprobrium would pursue thy name. + And after death, what would thy portion be! + No more of this--honour me with the charge, + And I will keep her with a father's care, + In my own mansion." Then Afrasiyab + Readily answered: "Take her to thy home, + But when the child is born, let it be brought + Promptly to me--my will must be obeyed." + +Piran rejoiced at his success; and assenting to the command of +Afrasiyab, took Ferangis with him to Khoten, where in due time a child +was born, and being a son, was called Kai-khosrau. As soon as he was +born, Piran took measures to prevent his being carried off to Afrasiyab, +and committed him to the care of some peasants on the mountain Kalun. On +the same night Afrasiyab had a dream, in which he received intimation of +the birth of Kai-khosrau; and upon this intimation he sent for Piran to +know why his commands had not been complied with. Piran replied, that he +had cast away the child in the wilderness. "And why was he not sent to +me?" inquired the despot. "Because," said Piran, "I considered thy own +future happiness; thou hast unjustly killed the father, and God forbid +that thou shouldst also kill the son!" Afrasiyab was abashed, and it is +said that ever after the atrocious murder of Saiawush, he had been +tormented with the most terrible and harrowing dreams. Gersiwaz now +became hateful to his sight, and he began at last deeply to repent of +his violence and inhumanity. + +Kai-khosrau grew up under the fostering protection of the peasants, and +showed early marks of surprising talent and activity. He excelled in +manly exercises; and hunting ferocious animals was his peculiar delight. +Instructors had been provided to initiate him in all the arts and +pursuits cultivated by the warriors of those days, and even in his +twelfth year accounts were forwarded to Piran of several wonderful feats +which he had performed. + + Then smiled the good old man, and joyful said: + "'Tis ever thus--the youth of royal blood + Will not disgrace his lineage, but betray + By his superior mien and gallant deeds + From whence he sprung. 'Tis by the luscious fruit + We know the tree, and glory in its ripeness!" + +Piran could not resist paying a visit to the youth in his mountainous +retreat, and, happy to find him, beyond all expectation, distinguished +for the elegance of his external appearance, and the superior qualities +of his mind, related to him the circumstances under which he had been +exposed, and the rank and misfortunes of his father. An artifice then +occurred to him which promised to be of ultimate advantage. He +afterwards told Afrasiyab that the offspring of Ferangis, thrown by him +into the wilderness to perish, had been found by a peasant and brought +up, but that he understood the boy was little better than an idiot. +Afrasiyab, upon this information, desired that he might be sent for, and +in the meantime Piran took especial care to instruct Kai-khosrau how he +should act; which was to seem in all respects insane, and he accordingly +appeared before the king in the dress of a prince with a golden crown on +his head, and the royal girdle round his loins. Kai-khosrau proceeded on +horseback to the court of Afrasiyab, and having performed the usual +salutations, was suitably received, though with strong feelings of shame +and remorse on the part of the tyrant. Afrasiyab put several questions +to him, which were answered in a wild and incoherent manner, entirely at +variance with the subject proposed. The king could not help smiling, and +supposing him to be totally deranged, allowed him to be sent with +presents to his mother, for no harm, he thought, could possibly be +apprehended from one so forlorn in mind. Piran triumphed in the success +of his scheme, and lost no time in taking Kai-khosrau to his mother. All +the people of Khoten poured blessings on the head of the youth, and +imprecations on the merciless spirit of Afrasiyab. The city built by +Saiawush had been razed to the ground by the exterminating fury of his +enemies, and wild animals and reptiles occupied the place on which it +stood. The mother and son visited the spot where Saiawush was +barbarously killed, and the tree, which grew up from the soil enriched +by his blood, was found verdant and flourishing, and continued to +possess in perfection its marvellous virtues. + + The tale of Saiawush is told; + And now the pages bright unfold, + Rustem's revenge--Sudaveh's fate-- + Afrasiyab's degraded state, + And that terrific curse and ban + Which fell at last upon Turan! + +When Kai-kaus heard of the fate of his son, and all its horrible details +were pictured to his mind, he was thrown into the deepest affliction. +His warriors, Tus, and Gudarz, and Bahram, and Friburz, and Ferhad, felt +with equal keenness the loss of the amiable prince, and Rustem, as soon +as the dreadful intelligence reached Sistan, set off with his troops to +the court of the king, still full of indignation at the conduct of Kaus, +and oppressed with sorrow respecting the calamity which had occurred. On +his arrival he thus addressed the weeping and disconsolate father of +Saiawush, himself at the same time drowned in tears:-- + + "How has thy temper turned to nought, the seed + Which might have grown, and cast a glorious shadow; + How is it scattered to the barren winds! + Thy love for false Sudaveh was the cause + Of all this misery; she, the Sorceress, + O'er whom thou hast so oft in rapture hung, + Enchanted by her charms; she was the cause + Of this destruction. Thou art woman's slave! + Woman, the bane of man's felicity! + Who ever trusted woman? Death were better + Than being under woman's influence; + She places man upon the foamy ridge + Of the tempestuous wave, which rolls to ruin, + Who ever trusted woman?--Woman! woman!" + Kaus looked down with melancholy mien, + And, half consenting, thus to Rustem said:-- + "Sudaveh's blandishments absorbed my soul, + And she has brought this wretchedness upon me." + Rustem rejoined--"The world must be revenged + Upon this false Sudaveh;--she must die." + Kaus was silent; but his tears flowed fast, + And shame withheld resistance. Rustem rushed + Without a pause towards the shubistan; + Impatient, nothing could obstruct his speed + To slay Sudaveh;--her he quickly found, + And rapidly his sanguinary sword + Performed its office. Thus the Sorceress died. + Such was the punishment her crimes received. + +Having thus accomplished the first part of his vengeance, he proceeded +with the Persian army against Afrasiyab, and all the Iranian warriors +followed his example. When he had penetrated as far as Turan, the enemy +sent forward thirty thousand men to oppose his progress; and in the +conflict which ensued, Feramurz took Sarkha, the son of Afrasiyab, +prisoner. Rustem delivered him over to Tus to be put to death precisely +in the same manner as Saiawush; but the captive represented himself as +the particular friend of Saiawush, and begged to be pardoned on that +account. Rustem, however, had sworn that he would take his revenge, +without pity or remorse, and accordingly death was inflicted upon the +unhappy prisoner, whose blood was received in a dish, and sent to Kaus, +and the severed head suspended over the gates of the king's palace. +Afrasiyab hearing of this catastrophe, which sealed the fate of his +favorite son, immediately collected together the whole of the Turanian +army, and hastened himself to resist the conquering career of the enemy. + + As on they moved; with loud and dissonant clang; + His numerous troops shut out the prospect round; + No sun was visible by day; no moon, + Nor stars by night. The tramp of men and steeds, + And rattling drums, and shouts, were only heard, + And the bright gleams of armour only seen. + +Ere long the two armies met, when Pilsam, the brother of Piran, was +ambitious of opposing his single arm against Rustem, upon which +Afrasiyab said:--"Subdue Rustem, and thy reward shall be my daughter, +and half my kingdom." Piran, however, observed that he was too young to +be a fit match for the experience and valor of the Persian champion, and +would have dissuaded him from the unequal contest, but the choice was +his own, and he was consequently permitted by Afrasiyab to put his +bravery to the test. Pilsam accordingly went forth and summoned Rustem +to the fight; but Giw, hearing the call, accepted the challenge himself, +and had nearly been thrown from his horse by the superior activity of +his opponent. Feramurz luckily saw him at the perilous moment, and +darting forward, with one stroke of his sword shattered Pilsam's javelin +to pieces, and then a new strife began. Pilsam and Feramurz fought +together with desperation, till both were almost exhausted, and Rustem +himself was surprised to see the display of so much valor. Perceiving +the wearied state of the two warriors he pushed forward Rakush, and +called aloud to Pilsam:--"Am I not the person challenged?" and +immediately the Turanian chief proceeded to encounter him, striking with +all his might at the head of the champion; but though the sword was +broken by the blow, not a hair of his head was disordered. + + Then Rustem urging on his gallant steed, + Fixed his long javelin in the girdle band + Of his ambitious foe, and quick unhorsed him; + Then dragged him on towards Afrasiyab, + And, scoffing, cast him at the despot's feet. + "Here comes the glorious conqueror," he said; + "Now give to him thy daughter and thy treasure, + Thy kingdom and thy soldiers; has he not + Done honour to thy country?--Is he not + A jewel in thy crown of sovereignty? + What arrogance inspired the fruitless hope! + Think of thy treachery to Saiawush; + Thy savage cruelty, and never look + For aught but deadly hatred from mankind; + And in the field of fight defeat and ruin." + Thus scornfully he spoke, and not a man, + Though in the presence of Afrasiyab, + Had soul to meet him; fear o'ercame them all + Monarch and warriors, for a time. At length + Shame was awakened, and the king appeared + In arms against the champion. Fiercely they + Hurled their sharp javelins--Rustem's struck the head + Of his opponent's horse, which floundering fell, + And overturned his rider. Anxious then + The champion sprang to seize the royal prize; + But Human rushed between, and saved his master, + Who vaulted on another horse and fled. + +Having thus rescued Afrasiyab, the wary chief exercised all his cunning +and adroitness to escape himself, and at last succeeded. Rustem pursued +him, and the Turanian troops, who had followed the example of the king; +but though thousands were slain in the chase which continued for many +farsangs, no further advantage was obtained on that day. Next morning, +however, Rustem resumed his pursuit; and the enemy hearing of his +approach, retreated into Chinese Tartary, to secure, among other +advantages, the person of Kai-khosrau; leaving the kingdom of Turan at +the mercy of the invader, who mounted the throne, and ruled there, it is +said, about seven years, with memorable severity, proscribing and +putting to death every person who mentioned the name of Afrasiyab. In +the meantime he made splendid presents to Tus and Gudarz, suitable to +their rank and services; and Zuara, in revenge for the monstrous outrage +committed upon Saiawush, burnt and destroyed everything that came in his +way; his wrath being exasperated by the sight of the places in which the +young prince had resided, and recreated himself with hunting and other +sports of the field. The whole realm, in fact, was delivered over to +plunder and devastation; and every individual of the army was enriched +by the appropriation of public and private wealth. The companions of +Rustem, however, grew weary of residing in Turan, and they strongly +represented to him the neglect which Kai-kaus had suffered for so many +years, recommending his return to Persia, as being more honorable than +the exile they endured in an ungenial climate. Rustem's abandonment of +the kingdom was at length carried into effect; and he and his warriors +did not fail to take away with them all the immense property that +remained in jewels and gold; part of which was conveyed by the champion +to Zabul and Sistan, and a goodly proportion to the king of kings in +Persia. + + When to Afrasiyab was known + The plunder of his realm and throne, + That the destroyer's reckless hand + With fire and sword had scathed the land, + Sorrow and anguish filled his soul, + And passion raged beyond control; + And thus he to his warriors said:-- + "At such a time, is valour dead? + The man who hears the mournful tale, + And is not by his country's bale + Urged on to vengeance, cannot be + Of woman born; accursed is he! + The time will come when I shall reap + The harvest of resentment deep; + And till arrives that fated hour, + Farewell to joy in hall or bower." + +Rustem, in taking revenge for the murder of Saiawush, had not been +unmindful of Kai-khosrau, and had actually sent to the remote parts of +Tartary in quest of him. + +It is said that Gudarz beheld in a dream the young prince, who pointed +out to him his actual residence, and intimated that of all the warriors +of Kaus, Giw was the only one destined to restore him to the world and +his birth-right. The old man immediately requested his son Giw to go to +the place where the stranger would be found. Giw readily complied, and +in his progress provided himself at every stage successively with a +guide, whom he afterwards slew to prevent discovery, and in this manner +he proceeded till he reached the boundary of Chin, enjoying no comfort +by day, or sleep by night. His only food was the flesh of the wild ass, +and his only covering the skin of the same animal. He went on traversing +mountain and forest, enduring every privation, and often did he +hesitate, often did he think of returning, but honor urged him forward +in spite of the trouble and impediments with which he was continually +assailed. Arriving in a desert one day, he happened to meet with several +persons, who upon being interrogated, said that they were sent by +Piran-wisah in search of Kai-kaus. Giw kept his own secret, saying that +he was amusing himself with hunting the wild ass, but took care to +ascertain from them the direction in which they were going. During the +night the parties separated, and in the morning Giw proceeded rapidly on +his route, and after some time discovered a youth sitting by the side of +a fountain, with a cup in his hand, whom he supposed to be Kai-khosrau. +The youth also spontaneously thought "This must be Giw"; and when the +traveller approached him, and said, "I am sure thou art the son of +Saiawush"; the youth observed, "I am equally sure that thou art Giw the +son of Gudarz." At this Giw was amazed, and falling to his feet, asked +how, and from what circumstance, he recognized him. The youth replied +that he knew all the warriors of Kaus; Rustem, and Kishwad, and Tus, and +Gudarz, and the rest, from their portraits in his father's gallery, they +being deeply impressed on his mind. He then asked in what way Giw had +discovered him to be Kai-khosrau, and Giw answered, "Because I perceived +something kingly in thy countenance. But let me again examine thee!" The +youth, at this request, removed his garments, and Giw beheld that mark +on his body which was the heritage of the race of Kai-kobad. Upon this +discovery he rejoiced, and congratulating himself and the young prince +on the success of his mission, related to him the purpose for which he +had come. Kai-khosrau was soon mounted on horseback, and Giw accompanied +him respectfully on foot. They, in the first instance, pursued their way +towards the abode of Ferangis, his mother. The persons sent by +Piran-wisah did not arrive at the place where Kai-khosrau had been kept +till long after Giw and the prince departed; and then they were told +that a Persian horseman had come and carried off the youth, upon which +they immediately returned, and communicated to Piran what had occurred. +Ferangis, in recovering her son, mentioned to Giw, with the fondness of +a mother, the absolute necessity of going on without delay, and pointed +out to him the meadow in which some of Afrasiyab's horses were to be met +with, particularly one called Behzad, which once belonged to Saiawush, +and which her father had kept in good condition for his own riding. Giw, +therefore, went to the meadow, and throwing his kamund, secured Behzad +and another horse; and all three being thus accommodated, hastily +proceeded on their journey towards Iran. + +Tidings of the escape of Kai-khosrau having reached Afrasiyab, he +despatched Kulbad with three hundred horsemen after him; and so rapid +were his movements that he overtook the fugitives in the vicinity of +Bulgharia. Khosrau and his mother were asleep, but Giw being awake, and +seeing an armed force evidently in pursuit of his party, boldly put on +his armor, mounted Behzad, and before the enemy came up, advanced to the +charge. He attacked the horsemen furiously with sword, and mace, for he +had heard the prophecy, which declared that Kai-khosrau was destined to +be the king of kings, and therefore he braved the direst peril with +confidence, and the certainty of success. It was this feeling which +enabled him to perform such a prodigy of valor, in putting Kulbad and +his three hundred horsemen to the rout. They all fled defeated, and +dispersed precipitately before him. After this surprising victory, he +returned to the halting place, and told Kai-khosrau what he had done. +The prince was disappointed at not having been awakened to participate +in the exploit, but Giw said, "I did not wish to disturb thy sweet +slumbers unnecessarily. It was thy good fortune and prosperous star, +however, which made me triumph over the enemy." The three travellers +then resuming their journey: + + Through dreary track, and pathless waste, + And wood and wild, their way they traced. + +The return of the defeated Kulbad excited the greatest indignation in +the breast of Piran. "What! three hundred soldiers to fly from the valor +of one man! Had Giw possessed even the activity and might of Rustem and +Sam, such a shameful discomfiture could scarcely have happened." Saying +this, he ordered the whole force under his command to be got ready, and +set off himself to overtake and intercept the fugitives, who, fatigued +with the toilsome march, were only able to proceed one stage in the day. +Piran, therefore, who travelled at the rate of one hundred leagues a +day, overtook them before they had passed through Bulgharia. Ferangis, +who saw the enemy's banner floating in the air, knew that it belonged to +Piran, and instantly awoke the two young men from sleep. Upon this +occasion, Khosrau insisted on acting his part, instead of being left +ignominiously idle; but Giw was still resolute and determined to +preserve him from all risk, at the peril of his own life. "Thou art +destined to be the king of the world; thou art yet young, and a novice, +and hast never known the toils of war; Heaven forbid that any misfortune +should befall thee: indeed, whilst I live, I will never suffer thee to +go into battle!" Khosrau then proposed to give him assistance; but Giw +said he wanted no assistance, not even from Rustem; "for," he added, "in +art and strength we are equal, having frequently tried our skill +together." Rustem had given his daughter in marriage to Giw, he himself +being married to Giw's sister. "Be of good cheer," resumed he, "get upon +some high place, and witness the battle between us. + + "Fortune will still from Heaven descend, + The god of victory is my friend." + +As soon as he took the field, Piran thus addressed him: "Thou hast once, +singly, defeated three hundred of my soldiers; thou shalt now see what +punishment awaits thee at my hands. + + "For should a warrior be a rock of steel, + A thousand ants, gathered on every side, + In time will make him but a heap of dust." + +In reply, Giw said to Piran, "I am the man who bound thy two women, and +sent them from China to Persia--Rustem and I are the same in battle. +Thou knowest, when he encountered a thousand horsemen, what was the +result, and what he accomplished! Thou wilt find me the same: is not a +lion enough to overthrow a thousand kids? + + "If but a man survive of thy proud host, + Brand me with coward--say I'm not a warrior. + Already have I triumphed o'er Kulbad, + And now I'll take thee prisoner, yea, alive! + And send thee to Kaus--there thou wilt be + Slain to avenge the death of Saiawush; + Turan shall perish, and Afrasiyab, + And every earthly hope extinguished quite." + Hearing this awful threat, Piran turned pale + And shook with terror--trembling like a reed; + And saying: "Go, I will not fight with thee!" + But Giw asked fiercely: "Why?" And on he rushed + Against the foe, who fled--but 'twas in vain. + The kamund round the old man's neck was thrown, + And he was taken captive. Then his troops + Showered their sharp arrows on triumphant Giw, + To free their master, who was quickly brought + Before Kai-khosrau, and the kamund placed + Within his royal hands. This service done, + Giw sped against the Tartars, and full soon + Defeated and dispersed them. + +On his return, Giw expressed his astonishment that Piran was still +alive; when Ferangis interposed, and weeping, said how much she had been +indebted to his interposition and the most active humanity on various +occasions, and particularly in saving herself and Kai-khosrau from the +wrath of Afrasiyab after the death of Saiawush. "If," said she, "after +so much generosity he has committed one fault, let it be forgiven. + + "Let not the man of many virtues die, + For being guilty of one trifling error. + Let not the friend who nobly saved my life, + And more, the dearer life of Kai-khosrau, + Suffer from us. O, he must never, never, + Feel the sharp pang of foul ingratitude, + From a true prince of the Kaianian race." + +But Giw paused, and said, "I have sworn to crimson the earth with his +blood, and I must not pass from my oath." Khosrau then suggested to him +to pierce the lobes of Piran's ears, and drop the blood on the ground to +stain it, in order that he might not depart from his word; and this +humane fraud was accordingly committed. Khosrau further interceded; and +instead of being sent a captive to Kaus, the good old man was set at +liberty. + +When the particulars of this event were described to Afrasiyab by +Piran-wisah, he was exceedingly sorrowful, and lamented deeply that +Kai-khosrau had so successfully effected his escape. But he had recourse +to a further expedient, and sent instructions to all the ferrymen of the +Jihun, with a minute description of the three travellers, to prevent +their passing that river, announcing at the same time that he himself +was in pursuit of them. Not a moment was lost in preparing his army for +the march, and he moved forward with the utmost expedition, night and +day. At the period when Giw arrived on the banks of the Jihun, the +stream was very rapid and formidable, and he requested the ferrymen to +produce their certificates to show themselves equal to their duty. They +pretended that their certificates were lost, but demanded for their fare +the black horse upon which Giw rode. Giw replied, that he could not part +with his favorite horse; and they rejoined, "Then give us the damsel who +accompanies you." Giw answered, and said, "This is not a damsel, but the +mother of that youth!"--"Then," observed they, "give us the youth's +crown." But Giw told them that he could not comply with their demand; +yet he was ready to reward them with money to any extent. The +pertinacious ferrymen, who were not anxious for money, then demanded his +armor, and this was also refused; and such was their independence or +their effrontery, that they replied, "If not one of these four things +you are disposed to grant, cross the river as best you may." Giw +whispered to Kai-khosrau, and told him that there was no time for delay. +"When Kavah, the blacksmith," said he, "rescued thy great ancestor, +Feridun, he passed the stream in his armor without impediment; and why +should we, in a cause of equal glory, hesitate for a moment?" Under the +inspiring influence of an auspicious omen, and confiding in the +protection of the Almighty, Kai-khosrau at once impelled his foaming +horse into the river; his mother, Ferangis, followed with equal +intrepidity, and then Giw; and notwithstanding the perilous passage, +they all successfully overcame the boiling surge, and landed in safety, +to the utter amazement of the ferrymen, who of course had expected they +would be drowned, + +It so happened that at the moment they touched the shore, Afrasiyab with +his army arrived, and had the mortification to see the fugitives on the +other bank, beyond his reach. His wonder was equal to his +disappointment. + + "What spirits must they have to brave + The terrors of that boiling wave-- + With steed and harness, riding o'er + The billows to the further shore." + + It was a cheering sight, they say, + To see how well they kept their way, + How Ferangis impelled her horse + Across that awful torrent's course, + Guiding him with heroic hand, + To reach unhurt the friendly strand. + +Afrasiyab continued for some time mute with astonishment and vexation, +and when he recovered, ordered the ferrymen to get ready their boats to +pass him over the river; but Human dissuaded him from that measure, +saying that they could only convey a few troops, and they would +doubtless be received by a large force of the enemy on the other side. +At these words, Afrasiyab seemed to devour his own blood with grief and +indignation, and immediately retracing his steps, returned to Turan. + +As soon as Giw entered within the boundary of the Persian empire, he +poured out thanksgivings to God for his protection, and sent +intelligence to Kaus of the safe arrival of the party in his dominions. +The king rejoiced exceedingly, and appointed an honorary deputation +under the direction of Gudarz, to meet the young prince on the road. On +first seeing him, the king moved forward to receive him; and weeping +affectionately, kissed his eyes and face, and had a throne prepared for +him exactly like his own, upon which he seated him; and calling the +nobles and warriors of the land together, commanded them to obey him. +All readily promised their allegiance, excepting Tus, who left the court +in disgust, and repairing forthwith to the house of Friburz, one of the +sons of Kaus, told him that he would only pay homage and obedience to +him, and not to the infant whom Giw had just brought out of a desert. +Next day the great men and leaders were again assembled to declare +publicly by an official act their fealty to Kai-khosrau, and Tus was +also invited to the banquet, which was held on the occasion, but he +refused to go. Giw was deputed to repeat the invitation; and he then +said, "I shall pay homage to Friburz, as the heir to the throne, and to +no other. + + "For is he not the son of Kai-kaus, + And worthy of the regal crown and throne? + I want not any of the race of Poshang-- + None of the proud Turanian dynasty-- + Fruitless has been thy peril, Giw, to bring + A silly child among us, to defraud + The rightful prince of his inheritance!" + +Giw, in reply, vindicated the character and attainments of Khosrau, but +Tus was not to be appeased. He therefore returned to his father and +communicated to him what had occurred. Gudarz was roused to great wrath +by this resistance to the will of the king, and at once took twelve +thousand men and his seventy-eight kinsmen, together with Giw, and +proceeded to support his cause by force of arms. Tus, apprised of his +intentions, prepared to meet him, but was reluctant to commit himself by +engaging in a civil war, and said, internally:-- + + "If I unsheath the sword of strife, + Numbers on either side will fall, + I would not sacrifice the life + Of one who owns my sovereign's thrall. + + "My country would abhor the deed, + And may I never see the hour + When Persia's sons are doomed to bleed, + But when opposed to foreign power. + + "The cause must be both good and true, + And if their blood in war must flow, + Will it not seem of brighter hue, + When shed to crush the Tartar foe?" + +Possessing these sentiments, Tus sent an envoy to Gudarz, suggesting the +suspension of any hostile proceedings until information on the subject +had been first communicated to the king. Kaus was extremely displeased +with Gudarz for his precipitancy and folly, and directed both him and +Tus to repair immediately to court. Tus there said frankly, "I now owe +honor and allegiance to king Kaus; but should he happen to lay aside the +throne and the diadem, my obedience and loyalty will be due to Friburz +his heir, and not to a stranger." To this, Gudarz replied, "Saiawush was +the eldest son of the king, and unjustly murdered, and therefore it +becomes his majesty to appease and rejoice the soul of the deceased, by +putting Kai-khosrau in his place. Kai-khosrau, like Feridun, is worthy +of empire; all the nobles of the land are of this opinion, excepting +thyself, which must arise from ignorance and vanity. + + "From Nauder certainly thou are descended, + Not from a stranger, not from foreign loins; + But though thy ancestor was wise and mighty + Art thou of equal merit? No, not thou! + Regarding Khosrau, thou hast neither shown + Reason nor sense--but most surprising folly!" + To this contemptuous speech, Tus thus replied: + "Ungenerous warrior! wherefore thus employ + Such scornful words to me? Who art thou, pray! + Who, but the low descendant of a blacksmith? + No Khosrau claims thee for his son, no chief + Of noble blood; whilst I can truly boast + Kindred to princes of the highest worth, + And merit not to be obscured by thee!" + To him then Gudarz: "Hear me for this once, + Then shut thy ears for ever. Need I blush + To be the kinsman of the glorious Kavah? + It is my humour to be proud of him. + Although he was a blacksmith--that same man, + Who, when the world could still boast of valour, + Tore up the name-roll of the fiend Zohak, + And gave the Persians freedom from the fangs + Of the devouring serpents. He it was, + Who raised the banner, and proclaimed aloud, + Freedom for Persia! Need I blush for him? + To him the empire owes its greatest blessing, + The prosperous rule of virtuous Feridun." + Tus wrathfully rejoined: "Old man! thy arrow + May pierce an anvil--mine can pierce the heart + Of the Kaf mountain! If thy mace can break + A rock asunder--mine can strike the sun!" + +The anger of the two heroes beginning to exceed all proper bounds, Kaus +commanded silence; when Gudarz came forward, and asked permission to say +one word more: "Call Khosrau and Friburz before thee, and decide +impartially between them which is the most worthy of sovereignty--let +the wisest and the bravest only be thy successor to the throne of +Persia." Kaus replied: + + "The father has no choice among his children, + He loves them all alike--his only care + Is to prevent disunion; to preserve + Brotherly kindness and respect among them." + +After a pause, he requested the attendance of Friburz and Khosrau, and +told them that there was a demon-fortress in the vicinity of his +dominions called Bahmen, from which fire was continually issuing. "Go, +each of you," said he, "against this fortress, supported by an army with +which you shall each be equally provided, and the conqueror shall be the +sovereign of Persia." Friburz was not sorry to hear of this probationary +scheme, and only solicited to be sent first on the expedition. He and +Tus looked upon the task as perfectly easy, and promised to be back +triumphant in a short time. + + But when the army reached that awful fort, + The ground seemed all in flames on every side; + One universal fire raged round and round, + And the hot wind was like the scorching breath + Which issues from red furnaces, where spirits + Infernal dwell. Full many a warrior brave, + And many a soldier perished in that heat, + Consumed to ashes. Nearer to the fort + Advancing, they beheld it in mid-air, + But not a living thing--nor gate, nor door; + Yet they remained one week, hoping to find + Some hidden inlet, suffering cruel loss + Hour after hour--but none could they descry. + At length, despairing, they returned, worn out, + Scorched, and half-dead with watching, care, and toil. + And thus Friburz and Tus, discomfited + And sad, appeared before the Persian king. + + Then was it Khosrau's turn, and him Kaus + Despatched with Giw, and Gudarz, and the troops + Appointed for that enterprise, and blessed them. + When the young prince approached the destined scene + Of his exploit, he saw the blazing fort + Reddening the sky and earth, and well he knew + This was the work of sorcery, the spell + Of demon-spirits. In a heavenly dream, + He had been taught how to destroy the charms + Of fell magicians, and defy their power, + Though by the devil, the devil himself, sustained, + He wrote the name of God, and piously + Bound it upon his javelin's point, and pressed + Fearlessly forward, showing it on high; + And Giw displayed it on the magic walls + Of that proud fortress--breathing forth a prayer + Craving the aid of the Almighty arm; + When suddenly the red fires died away, + And all the world was darkness, Khosrau's troops + Following the orders of their prince, then shot + Thick clouds of arrows from ten thousand bows, + In the direction of the enchanted tower. + The arrows fell like rain, and quickly slew + A host of demons--presently bright light + Dispelled the gloom, and as the mist rolled off + In sulphury circles, the surviving fiends + Were seen in rapid flight; the fortress, too, + Distinctly shone, and its prodigious gate, + Through which the conquerors passed. Great wealth they found, + And having sacked the place, Khosrau erected + A lofty temple, to commemorate + His name and victory there, then back returned + Triumphantly to gladden king Kaus, + Whose heart expanded at the joyous news. + +The result of Kai-khosrau's expedition against the enchanted castle, +compared with that of Friburz, was sufficient of itself to establish the +former in the king's estimation, and accordingly it was announced to the +princes and nobles and warriors of the land, that he should succeed to +the throne, and be crowned on a fortunate day. A short time afterwards +the coronation took place with great pomp and splendor; and Khosrau +conducted himself towards men of every rank and station with such +perfect kindness and benevolence, that he gained the affections of all +and never failed daily to pay a visit to his grandfather Kaus, and to +familiarize himself with the affairs of the kingdom which he was +destined to govern. + + Justice he spread with equal hand, + Rooting oppression from the land; + And every desert, wood, and wild, + With early cultivation smiled; + And every plain, with verdure clad, + And every Persian heart was glad. + + + +KAI-KHOSRAU + +The tidings of Khosrau's accession to the throne were received at Sistan +by Zal and Rustem with heartfelt pleasure, and they forthwith hastened +to court with rich presents, to pay him their homage, and congratulate +him on the occasion of his elevation. The heroes were met on the road +with suitable honors, and Khosrau embracing Rustem affectionately, lost +no time in asking for his assistance in taking vengeance for the death +of Saiawush. The request was no sooner made than granted, and the +champion having delivered his presents, then proceeded with his father +Zal to wait upon Kaus, who prepared a royal banquet, and entertained +Khosrau and them in the most sumptuous manner. It was there agreed to +march a large army against Afrasiyab; and all the warriors zealously +came forward with their best services, except Zal, who on account of his +age requested to remain tranquilly in his own province. Khosrau said to +Kaus: + + "The throne can yield no happiness for me, + Nor can I sleep the sleep of health and joy + Till I have been revenged on that destroyer. + The tyrant of Turan; to please the spirit + Of my poor butchered father." + +Kaus, on delivering over to him the imperial army, made him acquainted +with the character and merits of every individual of importance. He +appointed Friburz, and a hundred warriors, who were the prince's friends +and relatives, to situations of trust and command, and Tus was among +them. Gudarz and his seventy-eight sons and grandsons were placed on the +right, and Gustahem, the brother of Tus, with an immense levy on the +left. There were also close to Khosrau's person, in the centre of the +hosts, thirty-three warriors of the race of Poshang, and a separate +guard under Byzun. + +In their progress Khosrau said to Friburz and Tus, "Ferud, who is my +brother, has built a strong fort in Bokhara, called Kullab, which stands +on the way to the enemy, and there he resides with his mother, +Gulshaher. Let him not be molested, for he is also the son of Saiawush, +but pass on one side of his possessions." Friburz did pass on one side +as requested; but Tus, not liking to proceed by the way of the desert, +and preferring a cultivated and pleasant country, went directly on +through the places which led to the very fort in question. When Ferud +was informed of the approach of Tus with an armed force, he naturally +concluded that he was coming to fight him, and consequently determined +to oppose his progress. Tus, however, sent Riu, his son-in-law, to +explain to Ferud that he had no quarrel or business with him, and only +wished to pass peaceably through his province; but Ferud thought this +was merely an idle pretext, and proceeding to hostilities, Riu was +killed by him in the conflict that ensued. Tus, upon being informed of +this result, drew up his army, and besieged the fort into which Ferud +had precipitately retired. When Ferud, however, found that Tus himself +was in the field, he sallied forth from his fastness, and assailed him +with his bow and arrows. One of the darts struck and killed the horse of +Tus, and tumbled his rider to the ground. Upon this occurrence Giw +rushed forward in the hopes of capturing the prince; but it so happened +that he was unhorsed in the same way. Byzun, the son of Giw, seeing with +great indignation this signal overthrow, wished to be revenged on the +victor; and though his father endeavored to restrain him, nothing could +control his wrath. He sprung speedily forward to fulfil his menace, but +by the bravery and expertness of Ferud, his horse was killed, and he too +was thrown headlong from his saddle. Unsubdued, however, he rose upon +his feet, and invited his antagonist to single combat. In consequence of +this challenge, they fought a short time with spears till Ferud deemed +it advisable to retire into his fort, from the lofty walls of which he +cast down so many stones, that Byzun was desperately wounded, and +compelled to leave the place. When he informed Tus of the misfortune +which had befallen him, that warrior vowed that on the following day not +a man should remain alive in the fort. The mother of Ferud, who was the +daughter of Wisah, had at this period a dream which informed her that +the fortress had taken fire, and that the whole of the inhabitants had +been consumed to death. This dream she communicated to Ferud, who said +in reply:-- + + "Mother! I have no dread of death; + What is there in this vital breath? + My sire was wounded, and he died; + And fate may lay me by his side! + Was ever man immortal?--never! + We cannot, mother, live for ever. + Mine be the task in life to claim + In war a bright and spotless name. + What boots it to be pale with fear, + And dread each grief that waits us here? + Protected by the power divine, + Our lot is written--why repine?" + +Tus, according to his threat, attacked the fort, and burst open the +gates. Ferud defended himself with great valor against Byzun; and whilst +they were engaged in deadly battle, Bahram, the hero, sprang up from his +ambuscade, and striking furiously upon the head of Ferud, killed that +unfortunate youth on the spot. The mother, the beautiful Gulshaher, +seeing what had befallen her son, rushed out of the fort in a state of +frenzy, and flying to him, clasped him in her arms in an agony of grief. +Unable to survive his loss, she plunged a dagger in her own breast, and +died at his feet. The Persians then burst open the gates, and plundered +the city. Bahram, when he saw what had been done, reproached Tus with +being the cause of this melancholy tragedy, and asked him what account +he would give of his conduct to Kai-khosrau. Tus was extremely +concerned, and remaining three days at that place, erected a lofty +monument to the memory of the unfortunate youth, and scented it with +musk and camphor. He then pushed forward his army to attack another +fort. That fort gave way, the commandant being killed in the attack; and +he then hastened on toward Afrasiyab, who had ordered Nizad with thirty +thousand horsemen to meet him. Byzun distinguished himself in the +contest which followed, but would have fallen into the hands of the +enemy if he had not been rescued by his men, and conveyed from the field +of battle. Afrasiyab pushed forward another force of forty thousand +horsemen under Piran-wisah, who suffered considerable loss in an +engagement with Giw; and in consequence fell back for the purpose of +retrieving himself by a shubkhun, or night attack. The resolution proved +to be a good one; for when night came on, the Persians were found off +their guard, many of them being intoxicated, and the havoc and +destruction committed among them by the Tartars was dreadful. The +survivors were in a miserable state of despondency, but it was not till +morning dawned that Tus beheld the full extent of his defeat and the +ruin that surrounded him. When Kai-khosrau heard of this heavy reverse, +he wrote to Friburz, saying, "I warned Tus not to proceed by the way of +Kullab, because my brother and his mother dwelt in that place, and their +residence ought to have been kept sacred. He has not only despised my +orders, but he has cruelly occasioned the untimely death of both. Let +him be bound, and sent to me a prisoner, and do thou assume the command +of the army." Friburz accordingly placed Tus in confinement, and sent +him to Khosrau, who received and treated him with reproaches and wrath, +and consigned him to a dungeon. He then wrote to Piran, reproaching him +for resorting to a night attack so unworthy of a brave man, and +challenging him to resume the battle with him. Piran said that he would +meet him after the lapse of a month, and at the expiration of that +period both armies were opposed to each other. The contest commenced +with arrows, then swords, and then with javelins; and Giw and Byzun were +the foremost in bearing down the warriors of the enemy, who suffered so +severely that they turned aside to attack Friburz, against whom they +hoped to be more successful. The assault which they made was +overwhelming, and vast numbers were slain, so that Friburz, finding +himself driven to extremity, was obliged to shelter himself and his +remaining troops on the skirts of a mountain. In the meantime Gudarz and +Giw determined to keep their ground or perish, and sent Byzun to Friburz +to desire him to join them, or if that was impracticable, to save the +imperial banner by despatching it to their care. To this message, +Friburz replied: "The traitors are triumphant over me on every side, and +I cannot go, nor will I give up the imperial banner, but tell Gudarz to +come to my aid." Upon receiving this answer, Byzun struck the +standard-bearer dead, and snatching up the Derafsh Gavahni, conveyed it +to Gudarz, who, raising it on high, directed his troops against the +enemy; and so impetuous was the charge, that the carnage on both sides +was prodigious. Only eight of the sons of Gudarz remained alive, seventy +of his kindred having been slain on that day, and many of the family of +Kaus were also killed. Nor did the relations of Afrasiyab and Piran +suffer in a less degree, nine hundred of them, warriors and cavaliers, +were sent out of the world; yet victory remained with the Turanians. + +When Afrasiyab was informed of the result of this battle, he sent +presents and honorary dresses to his officers, saying, "We must not be +contented with this triumph; you have yet to obscure the martial glory +of Rustem and Khosrau." Piran replied, "No doubt that object will be +accomplished with equal facility." + +After the defeat of the Persian army, Friburz retired under the cover of +night, and at length arrived at the court of Khosrau, who was afflicted +with the deepest sorrow, both on account of his loss in battle and the +death of his brother Ferud. Rustem was now as usual applied to for the +purpose of consoling the king, and extricating the empire from its +present misfortunes. Khosrau was induced to liberate Tus from his +confinement, and requested Rustem to head the army against Piran, but +Tus offered his services, and the champion observed, "He is fully +competent to oppose the arms of Piran; but if Afrasiyab takes the field, +I will myself instantly follow to the war." Khosrau accordingly deputed +Tus and Gudarz with a large army, and the two hostile powers were soon +placed in opposition to each other. It is said that they were engaged +seven days and nights, and that on the eighth Human came forward, and +challenged several warriors to fight singly, all of whom he successively +slew. He then called upon Tus, but Gudarz not permitting him to accept +the challenge, sent Giw in his stead. The combatants met; and after +being wounded and exhausted by their struggles for mastery, each +returned to his own post. The armies again engaged with arrows, and +again the carnage was great, but the battle remained undecided. + +Piran had now recourse to supernatural agency, and sent Baru, a renowned +magician, perfect in his art, upon the neighboring mountains, to involve +them in darkness, and produce by his conjuration tempestuous showers of +snow and hail. He ordered him to direct all their intense severity +against the enemy, and to avoid giving any annoyance to the Turanian +army. Accordingly when Human and Piran-wisah made their attack, they had +the co-operation of the elements, and the consequence was a desperate +overthrow of the Persian army. + + So dreadful was the carnage, that the plain + Was crimsoned with the blood of warriors slain. + +In this extremity, Tus and Gudarz piously put up a prayer to God, +earnestly soliciting protection from the horrors with which they were +surrounded. + + O Thou! the clement, the compassionate, + We are thy servants, succor our distress, + And save us from the sorcery that now + Yields triumph to the foe. In thee alone + We place our trust; graciously hear our prayer! + +Scarcely had this petition been uttered, when a mysterious person +appeared to Reham from the invisible world, and pointed to the mountain +from whence the tempest descended. Reham immediately attended to the +sign, and galloped forward to the mountain, where he discovered the +magician upon its summit, deeply engaged in incantations and witchcraft. +Forthwith he drew his sword and cut off this wizard's arms. Suddenly a +whirlwind arose, which dissipated the utter darkness that prevailed; and +then nothing remained of the preternatural gloom, not a particle of the +hail or snow was to be seen: Reham, however, brought him down from the +mountain and after presenting him before Tus, put an end to his wicked +existence. The armies were now on a more equal footing: they beheld more +clearly the ravages that had been committed by each, and each had great +need of rest. They accordingly retired till the following day, and then +again opposed each other with renewed vigor and animosity. But fortune +would not smile on the exertions of the Persian hosts, they being +obliged to fall back upon the mountain Hamawun, and in the fortress +situated there Tus deposited all his sick and wounded, continuing +himself in advance to ensure their protection. Piran seeing this, +ordered his troops to besiege the place where Tus had posted himself. +This was objected to by Human, but Piran was resolved upon the measure, +and had several conflicts with the enemy without obtaining any advantage +over them. In the mountain-fortress there happened to be wells of water +and abundance of grain and provisions, so that the Persians were in no +danger of being reduced by starvation. Khosrau, however, being informed +of their situation, sent Rustem, accompanied by Friburz, to their +assistance, and they were both welcomed, and received with rejoicing, +and cordial satisfaction. The fortress gates were thrown open, and +Rustem was presently seen seated upon a throne in the public hall, +deliberating on the state of affairs, surrounded by the most +distinguished leaders of the army. + +In the meanwhile Piran-wisah had written to Afrasiyab, informing him +that he had reduced the Persian army to great distress, had forced them +to take refuge in a mountain fort, and requested a further reinforcement +to complete the victory, and make them all prisoners. Afrasiyab in +consequence despatched three illustrious confederates from different +regions. There was Shinkul of Sugsar, the Khakan of Chin, whose crown +was the starry heavens, and Kamus of Kushan, a hero of high renown and +wondrous in every deed. + + For when he frowned, the air grew freezing cold; + And when he smiled, the genial spring showered down + Roses and hyacinths, and all was brightness! + +Piran went first to pay a visit to Kamus, to whom he, almost trembling, +described the amazing strength and courage of Rustem: but Kamus was too +powerful to express alarm; on the contrary, he said: + + "Is praise like this to Rustem due? + And what, if all thou say'st be true? + Are his large limbs of iron made? + Will they resist my trenchant blade? + His head may now his shoulders grace, + But will it long retain its place? + Let me but meet him in the fight, + And thou shalt see Kamus's might!" + +Piran's spirits rose at this bold speech, and encouraged by its effects, +he repaired to the Khakan of Chin, with whom he settled the necessary +arrangements for commencing battle on the following day. Early in the +morning the different armies under Kamus, the Khakan, and Piran-wisah, +were drawn out, and Rustem was also prepared with the troops under his +command for the impending conflict. He saw that the force arrayed +against him was prodigious, and most tremendous in aspect; and offering +a prayer to the Creator, he plunged into the battle. + + 'Twas at mid-day the strife began, + With steed to steed and man to man; + The clouds of dust which rolled on high, + Threw darkness o'er the earth and sky. + Each soldier on the other rushed, + And every blade with crimson blushed; + And valiant hearts were trod upon, + Like sand beneath the horse's feet, + And when the warrior's life was gone, + His mail became his winding sheet. + +The first leader who advanced conspicuously from among the Tartar army +was Ushkabus, against whom Reham boldly opposed himself; but after a +short conflict, in which he had some difficulty in defending his life +from the assaults of his antagonist, he thought it prudent to retire. +When Ushkabus saw this he turned round with the intention of rejoining +his own troops; but Rustem having witnessed the triumph over his friend, +sallied forth on foot, taking up his bow, and placing a few arrows in +his girdle, and asked him whither he was going. + + Astonished, Ushkabus cried, "Who art thou? + What kindred hast thou to lament thy fall?" + Rustem replied:--"Why madly seek to know + That which can never yield thee benefit? + My name is death to thee, thy hour is come!" + "Indeed! and thou on foot, mid mounted warriors, + To talk so bravely!"--"Yes," the champion said; + "And hast thou never heard of men on foot, + Who conquered horsemen? I am sent by Tus, + To take for him the horse of Ushkabus." + "What! and unarmed?" inquired the Tartar chief; + "No!" cried the champion, "Mark, my bow and arrow! + Mark, too, with what effect they may be used!" + So saying, Rustem drew the string, and straight + The arrow flew, and faithful to its aim, + Struck dead the foeman's horse. This done, he laughed, + But Ushkabus was wroth, and showered upon + His bold antagonist his quivered store-- + Then Rustem raised his bow, with eager eye + Choosing a dart, and placed it on the string, + A thong of elk-skin; to his ear he drew + The feathered notch, and when the point had touched + The other hand, the bended horn recoiled, + And twang the arrow sped, piercing the breast + Of Ushkabus, who fell a lifeless corse, + As if he never had been born! Erect, + And firm, the champion stood upon the plain, + Towering like mount Alberz, immovable, + The gaze and wonder of the adverse host! + +When Rustem, still unknown to the Turanian forces, returned to his own +army, the Tartars carried away the body of Ushkabus, and took it to the +Khakan of Chin, who ordered the arrow to be drawn out before him; and +when he and Kamus saw how deeply it had penetrated, and that the +feathered end was wet with blood, they were amazed at the immense power +which had driven it from the bow; they had never witnessed or heard of +anything so astonishing. The fight was, in consequence, suspended till +the following day. The Khakan of Chin then inquired who was disposed or +ready to be revenged on the enemy for the death of Ushkabus, when Kamus +advanced, and, soliciting permission, urged forward his horse to the +middle of the plain. He then called aloud for Rustem, but a Kabul hero, +named Alwund, a pupil of Rustem's, asked his master's permission to +oppose the challenger, which being granted, he rushed headlong to the +combat. Luckless however were his efforts, for he was soon overthrown +and slain, and then Rustem appeared in arms before the conqueror, who +hearing his voice, cried: "Why this arrogance and clamor! I am not like +Ushkabus, a trembler in thy presence." Rustem replied: + + "When the lion sees his prey, + Sees the elk-deer cross his way, + Roars he not? The very ground + Trembles at the dreadful sound. + And art thou from terror free, + When opposed in fight to me?" + +Kamus now examined him with a stern eye, and was satisfied that he had +to contend against a powerful warrior: he therefore with the utmost +alacrity threw his kamund, which Rustem avoided, but it fell over the +head of his horse Rakush. Anxious to extricate himself from this +dilemma, Rustem dexterously caught hold of one end of the kamund, whilst +Kamus dragged and strained at the other; and so much strength was +applied that the line broke in the middle, and Kamus in consequence +tumbled backwards to the ground. The boaster had almost succeeded in +remounting his horse, when he was secured round the neck by Rustem's own +kamund, and conveyed a prisoner to the Persian army, where he was put to +death! + +The fate of Kamus produced a deep sensation among the Turanians, and +Piran-wisah, partaking of the general alarm, and thinking it impossible +to resist the power of Rustem, proposed to retire from the contest, but +the Khakan of Chin was of a different opinion, and offered himself to +remedy the evil which threatened them all. Moreover the warrior, +Chingush, volunteered to fight with Rustem; and having obtained the +Khakan's permission, he took the field, and boldly challenged the +champion. Rustem received the foe with a smiling countenance, and the +struggle began with arrows. After a smart attack on both sides, Chingush +thought it prudent to fly from the overwhelming force of Rustem, who, +however, steadily pursued him, and adroitly seizing the horse by the +tail, hurled him from his saddle. + + He grasped the charger's flowing tail, + And all were struck with terror pale, + To see a sight so strange; the foe, + Dismounted by one desperate blow; + The captive asked for life in vain, + His recreant blood bedewed the plain. + His head was from his shoulders wrung, + His body to the vultures flung. + +Rustem, after this exploit, invited some other hero to single combat; +but at the moment not one replied to his challenge. At last Human came +forward, not however to fight, but to remonstrate, and make an effort to +put an end to the war which threatened total destruction to his country. +"Why such bitter enmity? why such a whirlwind of resentment?" said he; +"to this I ascribe the calamities under which we suffer; but is there no +way by which this sanguinary career of vengeance can be checked or +moderated?" Rustem, in answer, enumerated the aggressions and the crimes +of Afrasiyab, and especially dwelt on the atrocious murder of Saiawush, +which he declared could never be pardoned. Human wished to know his +name; but Rustem refused to tell him, and requested Piran-wisah might be +sent to him, to whom he would communicate his thoughts, and the secrets +of his heart freely. Human accordingly returned, and informed Piran of +the champion's wishes. + + "This must be Rustem, stronger than the pard, + The lion, or the Egyptian crocodile, + Or fell Iblis; dreams never painted hero + Half so tremendous on the battle plain." + +The old man said to him: + + "If this be Rustem, then the time has come, + Dreaded so long--for what but fire and sword, + Can now await us? Every town laid waste, + Soldier and peasant, husband, wife, and child, + Sharing the miseries of a ravaged land!" + +With tears in his eyes and a heavy heart, Piran repaired to the Khakan, +who, after some discussion, permitted him in these terms to go and +confer with Rustem. + + "Depart then speedful on thy embassy, + And if he seeks for peace, adjust the terms, + And presents to be sent us. If he talks + Of war and vengeance, and is clothed in mail, + No sign of peace, why we must trust in Heaven + For strength to crush his hopes of victory. + He is not formed of iron, nor of brass, + But flesh and blood, with human nerves and hair, + He does not in the battle tread the clouds, + Nor can he vanish, like the demon race-- + Then why this sorrow, why these marks of grief? + He is not stronger than an elephant; + Not he, but I will show him what it is + To fight or gambol with an elephant! + Besides, for every man his army boasts, + We have three hundred--wherefore then be sad?" + +Notwithstanding these expressions of confidence, Piran's heart was full +of alarm and terror; but he hastened to the Persian camp, and made +himself known to the champion of the host, who frankly said, after he +had heard Piran's name, "I am Rustem of Zabul, armed as thou seest for +battle!" Upon which Piran respectfully dismounted, and paid the usual +homage to his illustrious rank and distinction. Rustem said to him, "I +bring thee the blessings of Kai-khosrau and Ferangis, his mother, who +nightly see thy face in their dreams." + + "Blessings from me, upon that royal youth!" + Exclaimed the good old man. "Blessings on her, + The daughter of Afrasiyab, his mother, + Who saved my life--and blessings upon thee, + Thou matchless hero! Thou hast come for vengeance, + In the dear name of gallant Saiawush, + Of Saiawush, the husband of my child, + (The beautiful Gulshaher), of him who loved me + As I had been his father. His brave son, + Ferud, was slaughtered, and his mother too, + And Khosrau was his brother, now the king, + By whom he fell, or if not by his sword, + Whose was the guilty hand? Has punishment + Been meted to the offender? I protected, + In mine own house, the princess Ferangis; + And when her son was born, Kai-khosrau, still + I, at the risk of my existence, kept them + Safe from the fury of Afrasiyab, + Who would have sacrificed the child, or both! + And night and day I watched them, till the hour + When they escaped and crossed the boundary-stream. + Enough of this! Now let us speak of peace, + Since the confederates in this mighty war + Are guiltless of the blood of Saiawush!" + +Rustem, in answer to Piran, observed, that in negotiating the terms of +pacification, several important points were to be considered, and +several indispensable matters to be attended to. No peace could be made +unless the principal actors in the bloody tragedy of Saiawush's death +were first given up, particularly Gersiwaz; vast sums of money were also +required to be presented to the king of kings; and, moreover, Rustem +said he would disdain making peace at all, but that it enabled Piran to +do service to Kai-khosrau. Piran saw the difficulty of acceding to these +demands, but he speedily laid them before the Khakan, who consulted his +confederates on the subject, and after due consideration, their pride +and shame resisted the overtures, which they thought ignominious. +Shinkul, a king of Ind, was a violent opposer of the terms, and declared +against peace on any such conditions. Several other warriors expressed +their readiness to contend against Rustem, and they flattered themselves +that by a rapid succession of attacks, one after the other, they would +easily overpower him. The Khakan was pleased with this conceit and +permitted Shinkul to begin the struggle. Accordingly he entered the +plain, and summoned Rustem to renew the fight. The champion came and +struck him with a spear, which, penetrating his breast, threw him off +his horse to the ground. The dagger was already raised to finish his +career, but he sprang on his feet, and quickly ran away to tell his +misfortune to the Khakan of Chin. + + And thus he cried, in look forlorn, + "This foe is not of mortal born; + A furious elephant in fight, + A very mountain to the sight; + No warrior of the human race, + That ever wielded spear or mace, + Alone this dragon could withstand, + Or live beneath his conquering brand!" + +The Khakan reminded him how different were his feelings and sentiments +in the morning, and having asked him what he now proposed to do, he said +that without a considerable force it would be useless to return to the +field; five thousand men were therefore assigned to him, and with them +he proceeded to engage the champion. Rustem had also been joined by his +valiant companions, and a general battle ensued. The heavens were +obscured by the dust which ascended from the tramp of the horses, and +the plain was crimsoned with the blood of the slain. In the midst of the +contest, Sawa, a relation of Kamus, burst forward and sought to be +revenged on Rustem for the fate of his friend. The champion raised his +battle-axe, and giving Rakush the rein, with one blow of his mace +removed him to the other world. No sooner had he killed this assailant +than he was attacked by another of the kindred of Kamus, named Kahar, +whom he also slew, and thus humbled the pride of the Kushanians. Elated +with his success, and having further displayed his valor among the +enemy's troops, he vowed that he would now encounter the Khakan himself, +and despoil him of all his pomp and treasure. For this purpose he +selected a thousand horsemen, and thus supported, approached the +kulub-gah, or headquarters of the monarch of Chin. The clamor of the +cavalry, and the clash of spears and swords, resounded afar. The air +became as dark as the visage of an Ethiopian, and the field was covered +with several heads, broken armor, and the bodies of the slain. Amidst +the conflict Rustem called aloud to the Khakan:-- + + "Surrender to my arms those elephants, + That ivory throne, that crown, and chain of gold; + Fit trophies for Kai-khosrau, Persia's king; + For what hast thou to do with diadem + And sovereign power! My noose shall soon secure thee, + And I will send thee living to his presence; + Since, looking on my valour and my strength, + Life is enough to grant thee. If thou wilt not + Resign thy crown and throne--thy doom is sealed." + +The Khakan, filled with indignation at these haughty words, cautioned +Rustem to parry off his own danger, and then commanded his troops to +assail the enemy with a shower of arrows. The attack was so tremendous +and terrifying, even beyond the picturings of a dream, that Gudarz was +alarmed for the safety of Rustem, and sent Reham and Giw to his aid. +Rustem said to Reham:--"I fear that my horse Rakush is becoming weary of +exertion, in which case what shall I do in this conflict with the enemy? +I must attack on foot the Khakan of Chin, though he has an army here as +countless as legions of ants or locusts; but if Heaven continues my +friend, I shall stretch many of them in the dust, and take many +prisoners. The captives I will send to Khosrau, and all the spoils of +Chin." Saying this he pushed forward, roaring like a tiger, towards the +Khakan, and exclaiming with a stern voice:--"The Turks are allied to the +devil, and the wicked are always unprosperous. Thou hast not yet fallen +in with Rustem, or thy brain would have been bewildered. He is a +never-dying dragon, always seeking the strongest in battle. But thou +hast not yet had enough of even me!" He then drew his kamund from the +saddle-strap, and praying to God to grant him victory over his foes, +urged on Rakush, and wherever he threw the noose, his aim was +successful. Great was the slaughter, and the Khakan, seeing from the +back of his white elephant the extent of his loss, and beginning to be +apprehensive about his own safety, ordered one of his warriors, well +acquainted with the language of Iran, to solicit from the enemy a +cessation of hostilities. + + "Say whence this wrath on us, this keen revenge? + We never injured Saiawush; the kings + Of Ind and Chin are guiltless of his blood; + Then why this wrath on strangers? Spells and charms, + Used by Afrasiyab--the cause of all-- + Have brought us hither to contend against + The champion Rustem; and since peace is better + Than war and bloodshed, let us part in peace." + +The messenger having delivered his message, Rustem replied:-- + + "My words are few. Let him give up his crown, + His golden collar, throne, and elephants; + These are the terms I grant. He came for plunder, + And now he asks for peace. Tell him again, + Till all his treasure and his crown are mine, + His throne and elephants, he seeks in vain + For peace with Rustem, or the Persian king!" + +When the Khakan was informed of these reiterated conditions, he burst +out into bitter reproaches and abuse; and with so loud a voice, that the +wind conveyed them distinctly to Rustem's ear. The champion immediately +prepared for the attack; and approaching the enemy, flung his kamund, by +which he at once dragged the Khakan from his white elephant. The hands +of the captured monarch were straightway bound behind his back. Degraded +and helpless he stood, and a single stroke deprived him of his crown, +and throne, and life. + + Such are, since time began, the ways of Heaven; + Such the decrees of fate! Sometimes raised up, + And sometimes hunted down by enemies, + Men, struggling, pass through this precarious life, + Exalted now to sovereign power; and now + Steeped in the gulf of poverty and sorrow. + To one is given the affluence of Karun; + Another dies in want. How little know we + What form our future fortune may assume! + The world is all deceit, deception all! + +Piran-wisah beheld the disasters of the day, he saw the Khakan of Chin +delivered over to Tus, his death, and the banners of the confederates +overthrown; and sorrowing said:--"This day is the day of flight, not of +victory to us! This is no time for son to protect father, nor father +son--we must fly!" In the meanwhile Rustem, animated by feelings of a +very different kind, gave a banquet to his warrior friends, in +celebration of the triumph. + +When the intelligence of the overthrow and death of Kamus and the Khakan +of Chin, and the dispersion of their armies, reached Afrasiyab, he was +overwhelmed with distress and consternation, and expressed his +determination to be revenged on the conquerors. Not an Iranian, he said, +should remain alive; and the doors of his treasury were thrown open to +equip and reward the new army, which was to consist of a hundred +thousand men. + +Rustem having communicated to Kai-khosrau, through Friburz, the account +of his success, received the most satisfactory marks of his sovereign's +applause; but still anxious to promote the glory of his country, he +engaged in new exploits. He went against Kafur, the king of the city of +Bidad, a cannibal, who feasted on human flesh, especially on the young +women of his country, and those of the greatest beauty, being the +richest morsels, were first destroyed. He soon overpowered and slew the +monster, and having given his body to be devoured by dogs, plundered and +razed his castle to the ground. After this he invaded and ravaged the +province of Khoten, one of the dependencies of Turan, and recently the +possession of Saiawush, which was a new affliction to Afrasiyab, who, +alarmed about his own empire, dispatched a trusty person secretly to +Rustem's camp, to obtain private intelligence of his hostile movements. +The answer of the spy added considerably to his distress, and in the +dilemma he consulted with Piran-wisah, that he might have the benefit of +the old man's experience and wisdom. Piran told him that he had failed +to make an impression upon the Persians, even assisted by Kamus the +Kashanian, and the Khakan of Chin; both had been slain in battle, and +therefore it would be in vain to attempt further offensive measures +without the most powerful aid. There was, he added, a neighboring king, +named Puladwund, who alone seemed equal to contend with Rustem. He was +of immense stature, and of prodigious strength, and might by the favor +of heaven, be able to subdue him. Afrasiyab was pleased with this +information, and immediately invited Puladwund, by letter, to assist him +in exterminating the champion of Persia. Puladwund was proud of the +honor conferred upon him, and readily complied; hastening the +preparation of his own army to cooperate with that of Afrasiyab. He +presently joined him, and the whole of the combined forces rapidly +marched against the enemy. The first warrior he encountered was Giw, +whom he caught with his kamund. Reham and Byzun seeing this, instantly +rushed forward to extricate their brother and champion in arms; but they +too were also secured in the same manner! In the struggle, however, the +kamunds gave way, and then Puladwund drew his sword, and by several +strokes wounded them all. The father, Gudarz, apprised of this disaster, +which had unfortunately happened to three of his sons, applied to Rustem +for succor. The champion, the refuge, the protector of all, was, as +usual, ready to repel the enemy. He forthwith advanced, liberated his +friends, and dreadful was the conflict which followed. The club was used +with great dexterity on both sides; but at length Puladwund struck his +antagonist such a blow that the sound of it was heard by the troops at a +distance, and Rustem, stunned by its severity, thought himself opposed +with so much vigor, that he prayed to the Almighty for a prosperous +issue to the engagement. + + "Should I be in this struggle slain, + What stay for Persia will be left? + None to defend Kai-khosrau's reign, + Of me, his warrior-chief, bereft. + Then village, town, and city gay, + Will feel the cruel Tartar's sway!" + +Puladwund wishing to follow up the blow by a final stroke of his sword, +found to his amazement that it recoiled from the armor of Rustem, and +thence he proposed another mode of fighting, which he hoped would be +more successful. He wished to try his power in wrestling. The challenge +was accepted. By agreement both armies retired, and left the space of a +farsang between them, and no one was allowed to afford assistance to +either combatant. Afrasiyab was present, and sent word to Puladwund, the +moment he got Rustem under him, to plunge a sword in his heart. The +contest began, but Puladwund had no opportunity of fulfilling the wishes +of Afrasiyab. Rustem grasped him with such vigor, lifted him up in his +arms, and dashed him so furiously on the plain, that the boaster seemed +to be killed on the spot. Rustem indeed thought he had put a period to +his life; and with that impression left him, and remounted Rakush: but +the crafty Puladwund only pretended to be dead: and as soon as he found +himself released, sprang up and escaped, flying like an arrow to his own +side. He then told Afrasiyab how he had saved his life by counterfeiting +death, and assured him that it was useless to contend against Rustem. +The champion having witnessed this subterfuge, turned round in pursuit, +and the Tartars received him with a shower of arrows; but the attack was +well answered, Puladwund being so alarmed that, without saying a word to +Afrasiyab, he fled from the field. Piran now counselled Afrasiyab to +escape also to the remotest part of Tartary. As the flight of Puladwund +had disheartened the Turanian troops, and there was no chance of +profiting by further resistance, Afrasiyab took his advice, and so +precipitate was his retreat, that he entirely abandoned his standards, +tents, horses, arms, and treasure to an immense amount. The most +valuable booty was sent by Rustem to the king of Iran, and a +considerable portion of it was divided among the chiefs and the soldiers +of the army. He then mounted Rakush, and proceeded to the court of +Kai-khosrau, where he was received with the highest honors and with +unbounded rejoicings. The king opened his jewel chamber, and gave him +the richest rubies, and vessels of gold filled with musk and aloes, and +also splendid garments; a hundred beautiful damsels wearing crowns and +ear-rings, a hundred horses, and a hundred camels. Having thus +terminated triumphantly the campaign, Rustem carried with him to Zabul +the blessings and admiration of his country. + + + +AKWAN DIW + + And now we come to Akwan Diw, + Whom Rustem next in combat slew. + +One day as Kai-khosrau was sitting in his beautiful garden, abounding in +roses and the balmy luxuriance of spring, surrounded by his warriors, +and enjoying the pleasures of the banquet with music and singing, a +peasant approached, and informed him of a most mysterious apparition. A +wild ass, he said, had come in from the neighboring forest; it had at +least the external appearance of a wild ass, but possessed such +supernatural strength, that it had rushed among the horses in the royal +stables with the ferocity of a lion or a demon, doing extensive injury, +and in fact appeared to be an evil spirit! Kai-khosrau felt assured that +it was something more than it seemed to be, and looked round among his +warriors to know what should be done. It was soon found that Rustem was +the only person capable of giving effectual assistance in this +emergency, and accordingly a message was forwarded to request his +services. The champion instantly complied, and it was not long before he +occupied himself upon the important enterprise. Guided by the peasant, +he proceeded in the first place towards the spot where the mysterious +animal had been seen; but it was not till the fourth day of his search +that he fell in with him, and then, being anxious to secure him alive, +and send him as a trophy to Kai-khosrau, he threw his kamund; but it was +in vain: the wild ass in a moment vanished out of sight! From this +circumstance Rustem observed, "This can be no other than Akwan Diw, and +my weapon must now be either dagger or sword." The next time the wild +ass appeared he pursued him with his drawn sword: but on lifting it up +to strike, nothing was to be seen. He tried again, when he came near +him, both spear and arrow: still the animal vanished, disappointing his +blow; and thus three days and nights he continued fighting, as it were +against a shadow. Wearied at length with his exertions, he dismounted, +and leading Rakush to a green spot near a limpid fountain or rivulet of +spring water, allowed him to graze, and then went to sleep. Akwan Diw +seeing from a distance that Rustem had fallen asleep, rushed towards him +like a whirlwind, and rapidly digging up the ground on every side of +him, took up the plot of ground and the champion together, placed them +upon his head, and walked away with them. Rustem being awakened with the +motion, he was thus addressed by the giant-demon:-- + + "Warrior! now no longer free! + Tell me what thy wish may be; + Shall I plunge thee in the sea, + Or leave thee on the mountain drear, + None to give thee succour, near? + Tell thy wish to me!" + +Rustem, thus deplorably in the power of the demon, began to consider +what was best to be done, and recollecting that it was customary with +that supernatural race to act by the rule of contraries, in opposition +to an expressed desire, said in reply, for he knew that if he was thrown +into the sea there would be a good chance of escape:-- + + "O, plunge me not in the roaring sea, + The maw of a fish is no home for me; + But cast me forth on the mountain; there + Is the lion's haunt and the tiger's lair; + And for them I shall be a morsel of food, + They will eat my flesh and drink my blood; + But my bones will be left, to show the place + Where this form was devoured by the feline race; + Yes, something will then remain of me, + Whilst nothing escapes from the roaring sea!" + +Akwan Diw having heard this particular desire of Rustem, determined at +once to thwart him, and for this purpose he raised him up with his +hands, and flung him from his lofty position headlong into the deep and +roaring ocean. Down he fell, and a crocodile speedily darted upon him +with the eager intention of devouring him alive; but Rustem drew his +sword with alacrity, and severed the monster's head from his body. +Another came, and was put to death in the same manner, and the water was +crimsoned with blood. At last he succeeded in swimming safely on shore, +and instantly returned thanks to Heaven for the signal protection he had +experienced. + + Breasting the wave, with fearless skill + He used his glittering brand; + And glorious and triumphant still, + He quickly reached the strand. + +He then moved towards the fountain where he had left Rakush; but, to his +great alarm and vexation his matchless horse was not there. He wandered +about for some time, and in the end found him among a herd of horses +belonging to Afrasiyab. Having first caught him, and resumed his seat in +the saddle, he resolved upon capturing and driving away the whole herd, +and conveying them to Kai-khosrau. He was carrying into effect this +resolution when the noise awoke the keepers specially employed by +Afrasiyab, and they, indignant at this outrageous proceeding, called +together a strong party to pursue the aggressor. When they had nearly +reached him, he turned boldly round, and said aloud:--"I am Rustem, the +descendant of Sam. I have conquered Afrasiyab in battle, and after that +dost thou presume to oppose me?" Hearing this, the keepers of the Tartar +stud instantly turned their backs, and ran away. + +It so happened that at this period Afrasiyab paid his annual visit to +his nursery of horses, and on his coming to the meadows in which they +were kept, neither horses nor keepers were to be seen. In a short time, +however, he was informed by those who had returned from the pursuit, +that Rustem was the person who had carried off the herd, and upon +hearing of this outrage, he proceeded with his troops at once to attack +him. Impatient at the indignity, he approached Rustem with great fury, +but was presently compelled to fly to save his life, and thus allow his +herd of favorite steeds, together with four elephants, to be placed in +the possession of Kai-khosrau. Rustem then returned to the meadows and +the fountain near the habitation of Akwan Diw; and there he again met +the demon, who thus accosted him:-- + + "What! art thou then aroused from death's dark sleep? + Hast thou escaped the monsters of the deep? + And dost thou seek upon the dusty plain + To struggle with a demon's power again? + Of flint, or brass, or iron is thy form? + Or canst thou, like the demons, raise the dreadful battle storm?" + +Rustem, hearing this taunt from the tongue of Akwan Diw, prepared for +fight, and threw his kamund with such precision and force, that the +demon was entangled in it, and then he struck him such a mighty blow +with his sword, that it severed the head from the body. The severed head +of the unclean monster he transmitted as a trophy to Kai-khosrau, by +whom it was regarded with amazement, on account of its hideous +expression and its vast size. After this extraordinary feat, Rustem paid +his respects to the king, and was received as usual with distinguished +honor and affection; and having enjoyed the magnificent hospitality of +the court for some time, he returned to Zabulistan, accompanied part of +the way by Kai-khosrau himself and a crowd of valiant warriors, ever +anxious to acknowledge his superior worth and prodigious strength. + + + +THE STORY OF BYZUN AND MANIJEH[49] + +One day the people of Arman petitioned Kai-khosrau to remove from them a +grievous calamity. The country they inhabited was overrun with herds of +wild boars, which not only destroyed the produce of their fields, but +the fruit and flowers in their orchards and gardens, and so extreme was +the ferocity of the animals that it was dangerous to go abroad; they +therefore solicited protection from this disastrous visitation, and +hoped for relief. The king was at the time enjoying himself amidst his +warriors at a banquet, drinking wine, and listening to music and the +songs of bewitching damsels. + + The glance of beauty, and the charm + Of heavenly sounds, so soft and thrilling, + And ruby wine, must ever warm + The heart, with love and rapture filling. + Can aught more sweet, more genial prove, + Than melting music, wine, and love? + +The moment he was made acquainted with the grievances endured by the +Armanians, he referred the matter to the consideration of his +counsellors and nobles, in order that a remedy might be immediately +applied. Byzun, when he heard what was required, and had learned the +disposition of the king, rose up at once with all the enthusiasm of +youth, and offered to undertake the extermination of the wild boars +himself. But Giw objected to so great a hazard, for he was too young, he +said; a hero of greater experience being necessary for such an arduous +enterprise. Byzun, however, was not to be rejected on this account, and +observed, that though young, he was mature in judgment and discretion, +and he relied on the liberal decision of the king, who at length +permitted him to go, but he was to be accompanied by the veteran warrior +Girgin. Accordingly Byzun and Girgin set off on the perilous expedition; +and after a journey of several days arrived at the place situated +between Iran and Turan, where the wild boars were the most destructive. +In a short time a great number were hunted down and killed, and Byzun, +utterly to destroy the sustenance of the depredators, set fire to the +forest, and reduced the whole of the cultivation to ashes. His exertions +were, in short, entirely successful, and the country was thus freed from +the visitation which had occasioned so much distress and ruin. To give +incontestable proof of this exploit, he cut off the heads of all the +wild boars, and took out the tusks, to send to Kai-khosrau. When Girgin +had witnessed the intrepidity and boldness of Byzun, and found him +determined to send the evidence of his bravery to Kai-khosrau, he became +envious of the youth's success, and anticipated by comparison the ruin +of his own name and the gratification of his foes. He therefore +attempted to dissuade him from sending the trophies to the king, and +having failed, he resolved upon getting him out of the way. To effect +this purpose he worked upon the feelings and the passions of Byzun with +consummate art, and whilst his victim was warm with wine, praised him +beyond all the warriors of the age. He then told him he had heard that +at no great distance from them there was a beautiful place, a garden of +perpetual spring, which was visited every vernal season by Manijeh, the +lovely daughter of Afrasiyab. + + "It is a spot beyond imagination + Delightful to the heart, where roses bloom, + And sparkling fountains murmur--where the earth + Is rich with many-colored flowers; and musk + Floats on the gentle breezes, hyacinths + And lilies add their perfume--golden fruits + Weigh down the branches of the lofty trees, + The glittering pheasant moves in stately pomp, + The bulbul warbles from the cypress bough, + And love-inspiring damsels may be seen + O'er hill and dale, their lips all winning smiles, + Their cheeks like roses--in their sleepy eyes + Delicious languor dwelling. Over them + Presides the daughter of Afrasiyab, + The beautiful Manijeh; should we go, + ('Tis but a little distance), and encamp + Among the lovely groups--in that retreat + Which blooms like Paradise--we may secure + A bevy of fair virgins for the king!" + +Byzun was excited by this description; and impatient to realize what it +promised, repaired without delay, accompanied by Girgin, to the romantic +retirement of the princess. They approached so close to the summer-tent +in which she dwelt that she had a full view of Byzun, and immediately +becoming deeply enamoured of his person despatched a confidential +domestic, her nurse, to inquire who he was, and from whence he came. + + "Go, and beneath that cypress tree, + Where now he sits so gracefully, + Ask him his name, that radiant moon, + And he may grant another boon! + Perchance he may to me impart + The secret wishes of his heart! + Tell him he must, and further say, + That I have lived here many a day; + That every year, whilst spring discloses + The fragrant breath of budding roses, + I pass my time in rural pleasure; + But never--never such a treasure, + A mortal of such perfect mould, + Did these admiring eyes behold! + Never, since it has been my lot + To dwell in this sequestered spot, + A youth by nature so designed + To soothe a love-lorn damsel's mind! + His wondrous looks my bosom thrill + Can Saiawush be living still?" + +The nurse communicated faithfully the message of Manijeh, and Byzun's +countenance glowed with delight when he heard it. "Tell thy fair +mistress," he said in reply, "that I am not Saiawush, but the son of +Giw. I came from Iran, with the express permission of the king, to +exterminate a terrible and destructive herd of wild boars in this +neighborhood; and I have cut off their heads, and torn out their tusks +to be sent to Kai-khosrau, that the king and his warriors may fully +appreciate the exploit I have performed. But having heard afterwards of +thy mistress's beauty and attractions, home and my father were +forgotten, and I have preferred following my own desires by coming +hither. If thou wilt therefore forward my views; if thou wilt become my +friend by introducing me to thy mistress, who is possessed of such +matchless charms, these precious gems are thine and this coronet of +gold. Perhaps the daughter of Afrasiyab may be induced to listen to my +suit." The nurse was not long in making known the sentiments of the +stranger, and Manijeh was equally prompt in expressing her consent. The +message was full of ardor and affection. + + "O gallant youth, no farther roam, + This summer-tent shall be thy home; + Then will the clouds of grief depart + From this enamoured, anxious heart. + For thee I live--thou art the light + Which makes my future fortune bright. + Should arrows pour like showers of rain + Upon my head--'twould be in vain; + Nothing can ever injure me, + Blessed with thy love--possessed of thee!" + +Byzun therefore proceeded unobserved to the tent of the princess, who on +meeting and receiving him, pressed him to her bosom; and taking off his +Kaiani girdle, that he might be more at his ease, asked him to sit down +and relate the particulars of his enterprise among the wild boars of the +forest. Having done so, he added that he had left Girgin behind him. + + "Enraptured, and impatient to survey + Thy charms, I brook'd no pause upon the way." + +He was immediately perfumed with musk and rose-water, and refreshments +of every kind were set before him; musicians played their sweetest airs, +and dark-eyed damsels waited upon him. The walls of the tent were +gorgeously adorned with amber, and gold, and rubies; and the sparkling +old wine was drunk out of crystal goblets. The feast of joy lasted three +nights and three days, Byzun and Manijeh enjoying the precious moments +with unspeakable rapture. Overcome with wine and the felicity of the +scene, he at length sunk into repose, and on the fourth day came the +time of departure; but the princess, unable to relinquish the society of +her lover, ordered a narcotic draught to be administered to him, and +whilst he continued in a state of slumber and insensibility, he was +conveyed secretly and in disguise into Turan. He was taken even to the +palace of Afrasiyab, unknown to all but to the emissaries and domestics +of the princess, and there he awoke from the trance into which he had +been thrown, and found himself clasped in the arms of his idol. +Considering, on coming to his senses, that he had been betrayed by some +witchery, he made an attempt to get out of the seclusion: above all, he +was apprehensive of a fatal termination to the adventure; but Manijeh's +blandishments induced him to remain, and for some time he was contented +to be immersed in continual enjoyment--such pleasure as arises from the +social banquet and the attractions of a fascinating woman. + + "Grieve not my love--be not so sad, + 'Tis now the season to be glad; + There is a time for war and strife, + A time to soothe the ills of life. + Drink of the cup which yields delight, + The ruby glitters in thy sight; + Steep not thy heart in fruitless care, + But in the wine-flask sparkling there." + +At length, however, the love of the princess for a Persian youth was +discovered, and the keepers and guards of the palace were in the +greatest terror, expecting the most signal punishment for their neglect +or treachery. Dreadful indeed was the rage of the king when he was first +told the tidings; he trembled like a reed in the wind, and the color +fled from his cheeks. Groaning, he exclaimed:-- + + "A daughter, even from a royal stock, + Is ever a misfortune--hast thou one? + The grave will be thy fittest son-in-law! + Rejoice not in the wisdom of a daughter; + Who ever finds a daughter good and virtuous? + Who ever looks on woman-kind for aught + Save wickedness and folly? Hence how few + Ever enjoy the bliss of Paradise: + Such the sad destiny of erring woman!" + +Afrasiyab consulted the nobles of his household upon the measures to be +pursued on this occasion, and Gersiwaz was in consequence deputed to +secure Byzun, and put him to death. The guilty retreat was first +surrounded by troops, and then Gersiwaz entered the private apartments, +and with surprise and indignation saw Byzun in all his glory, Manijeh at +his side, his lips stained with wine, his face full of mirth and +gladness, and encircled by the damsels of the shubistan. He accosted him +in severe terms, and was promptly answered by Byzun, who, drawing his +sword, gave his name and family, and declared that if any violence or +insult was offered, he would slay every man that came before him with +hostile intentions. Gersiwaz, on hearing this, thought it prudent to +change his plan, and conduct him to Afrasiyab, and he was permitted to +do so on the promise of pardon for the alleged offence. When brought +before Afrasiyab, he was assailed with further opprobrium, and called a +dog and a wicked remorseless demon. + + "Thou caitiff wretch, of monstrous birth, + Allied to hell, and not of earth!" + +But he thus answered the king:-- + + "Listen awhile, if justice be thy aim, + And thou wilt find me guiltless. I was sent + From Persia to destroy herds of wild boars, + Which laid the country waste. That labour done, + I lost my way, and weary with the toil, + Weary with wandering in a wildering maze, + Haply reposed beneath a shady cypress; + Thither a Peri came, and whilst I slept, + Lifted me from the ground, and quick as thought + Conveyed me to a summer-tent, where dwelt + A princess of incomparable beauty. + From thence, by hands unknown, I was removed, + Still slumbering in a litter--still unconscious; + And when I woke, I found myself reclining + In a retired pavilion of thy palace, + Attended by that soul-entrancing beauty! + My heart was filled with sorrow, and I shed + Showers of vain tears, and desolate I sate, + Thinking of Persia, with no power to fly + From my imprisonment, though soft and kind, + Being the victim of a sorcerer's art. + Yes, I am guiltless, and Manijeh too, + Both by some magic influence pursued, + And led away against our will or choice!" + +Afrasiyab listened to this speech with distrust, and hesitated not to +charge him with falsehood and cowardice. Byzun's indignation was roused +by this insulting accusation; and he said to him aloud, "Cowardice, +what! cowardice! I have encountered the tusks of the formidable wild +boar and the claws of the raging lion. I have met the bravest in battle +with sword and arrow; and if it be thy desire to witness the strength of +my arm, give me but a horse and a battle-axe, and marshal twice five +hundred Turanians against me, and not a man of them shall survive the +contest. If this be not thy pleasure, do thy worst, but remember my +blood will be avenged. Thou knowest the power of Rustem!" The mention of +Rustem's name renewed all the deep feelings of resentment and animosity +in the mind of Afrasiyab, who, resolved upon the immediate execution of +his purpose, commanded Gersiwaz to bind the youth, and put an end to his +life on the gallows tree. The good old man Piran-wisah happened to be +passing by the place to which Byzun had just been conveyed to suffer +death; and seeing a great concourse of people, and a lofty dar erected, +from which hung a noose, he inquired for whom it was intended. Gersiwaz +heard the question, and replied that it was for a Persian, an enemy of +Turan, a son of Giw, and related to Rustem. Piran straightway rode up to +the youth, who was standing in deep affliction, almost naked, and with +his hands bound behind his back, and he said to him:-- + + "Why didst thou quit thy country, why come hither, + Why choose the road to an untimely grave?" + +Upon this Byzun told him his whole story, and the treachery of Girgin. +Piran wept at the recital, and remembering the circumstances under which +he had encountered Giw, and how he had been himself delivered from death +by the interposition of Ferangis, he requested the execution to be +stayed until he had seen the king, which was accordingly done. The king +received him with honor, praised his wisdom and prudence, and +conjecturing from his manner that something was heavy at his heart, +expressed his readiness to grant any favor which he might have come to +solicit. Piran said: "Then, my only desire is this: do not put Byzun to +death; do not repeat the tragedy of Saiawush, and again consign Turan +and Iran to all the horrors of war and desolation. Remember how I warned +thee against taking the life of that young prince; but malignant and +evil advisers exerted their influence, were triumphant, and brought upon +thee and thy kingdom the vengeance of Kaus, of Rustem, and all the +warriors of the Persian empire. The swords now sleeping in their +scabbards are ready to flash forth again, for assuredly if the blood of +Byzun be spilt the land will be depopulated by fire and sword. The honor +of a king is sacred; when that is lost, all is lost." But Afrasiyab +replied: "I fear not the thousands that can be brought against me. Byzun +has committed an offence which can never be pardoned; it covers me with +shame, and I shall be universally despised if I suffer him to live. +Death were better for me than life in disgrace. He must die."--"That is +not necessary," rejoined Piran, "let him be imprisoned in a deep cavern; +he will never be heard of more, and then thou canst not be accused of +having shed his blood." After some deliberation, Afrasiyab altered his +determination, and commanded Gersiwaz to bind the youth with chains from +head to foot, and hang him within a deep pit with his head downwards, +that he might never see sun or moon again; and he sentenced Manijeh to +share the same fate: and to make their death more sure, he ordered the +enormous fragment of rock which Akwan Diw had dragged out of the ocean +and flung upon the plain of Tartary, to be placed over the mouth of the +pit. In respect to Byzun, Gersiwaz did as he was commanded; but the +lamentations in the shubistan were so loud and distressing upon Manijeh +being sentenced to the same punishment, that the tyrant was induced to +change her doom, allowing her to dwell near the pit, but forbidding, by +proclamation, anyone going to her or supplying her with food. Gersiwaz +conducted her to the place; and stripping her of her rich garments and +jewels, left her bareheaded and barefooted, weeping torrents of tears. + + He left her--the unhappy maid; + Her head upon the earth was laid, + In bitterness of grief, and lone, + Beside that dreadful demon-stone. + +There happened, however, to be a fissure in the huge rock that covered +the mouth of the pit, which allowed of Byzun's voice being heard, and +bread and water was let down to him, so that they had the melancholy +satisfaction of hearing each other's woes. + +The story now relates to Girgin, who finding after several days that +Byzun had not returned, began to repent of his treachery; but what is +the advantage of such repentance? it is like the smoke that rises from a +conflagration. + + When flames have done their worst, thick clouds arise + Of lurid smoke, which useless mount the skies. + +He sought everywhere for him; went to the romantic retreat where the +daughter of Afrasiyab resided; but the place was deserted, nothing was +to be seen, and nothing to be heard. At length he saw Byzun's horse +astray, and securing him with his kamund, thought it useless to remain +in Turan, and therefore proceeded in sorrow back to Iran. Giw, finding +that his son had not returned with him from Arman, was frantic with +grief; he tore his garments and his hair, and threw ashes over his head; +and seeing the horse his son had ridden, caressed it in the fondest +manner, demanding from Girgin a full account of what he knew of his +fate. "O Heaven forbid," said he, "that my son should have fallen into +the power of the merciless demons!" Girgin could not safely confess the +truth, and therefore told a falsehood, in the hope of escaping from the +consequences of his own guilt. "When we arrived at Arman," said he, "we +entered a large forest, and cutting down the trees, set them on fire. We +then attacked the wild boars, which were found in vast numbers; and as +soon as they were all destroyed, left the place on our return. Sporting +all the way, we fell in with an elk, of a most beautiful and wonderful +form. It was like the Simurgh; it had hoofs of steel, and the head and +ears and tail of a horse. It was strong as a lion and fleet as the wind, +and came fiercely before us, yet seemed to be a thing of air. Byzun +threw his kamund over him; and when entangled in the noose, the animal +became furious and sprung away, dragging Byzun after him. Presently the +prospect was enveloped in smoke, the earth looked like the ocean, and +Byzun and the phantom-elk disappeared. I wandered about in search of my +companion, but found him not: his horse only remained. My heart was rent +with anguish, for it seemed to me that the furious elk must have been +the White Demon." But Giw was not to be deceived by this fabricated +tale; on the contrary, he felt convinced that treachery had been at +work, and in his rage seized Girgin by the beard, dragged him to and +fro, and inflicted on him two hundred strokes with a scourge. The +unhappy wretch, from the wounds he had received, fell senseless on the +ground. Giw then hastened to Kai-khosrau to inform him of his +misfortune; and though the first resolve was to put the traitor to +death, the king was contented to load him with chains and cast him into +prison. The astrologers being now consulted, pronounced that Byzun was +still living, and Giw was consoled and cheered by the promptitude with +which the king despatched troops in every quarter in search of his son. + + "Weep no longer, warrior bold, + Thou shalt soon thy son behold. + In this Cup, this mirror bright, + All that's dark is brought to light; + All above and under ground, + All that's lost is quickly found." + Thus spake the monarch, and held up + Before his view that wondrous Cup + Which first to Jemshid's eye revealed + All that was in the world concealed. + And first before him lay exposed + All that the seven climes enclosed, + Whether in ocean or amid + The stars the secret things were hid, + Whether in rock or cavern placed, + In that bright Cup were clearly traced. + And now his eye Karugsar surveys, + The Cup the province wide displays. + He sees within that dismal cave + Byzun the good, the bold, the brave; + And sitting on that demon-stone + Lovely Manijeh sad and lone. + And now he smiles and looks on Giw, + And cries: "My prophecy was true. + Thy Byzun lives; no longer grieve, + I see him there, my words believe; + And though bound fast in fetters, he + Shall soon regain his liberty." + +Kai-khosrau, thinking the services of Rustem requisite on this occasion, +dispatched Giw with an invitation to him, explaining the circumstance of +Byzun's capture. Rustem had made up his mind to continue in peace and +tranquillity at his Zabul principality, and not to be withdrawn again +from its comforts by any emergency; but the reported situation of his +near relative altered his purpose, and he hesitated not to give his best +aid to restore him to freedom. Giw rejoiced at this, and both repaired +without delay to the royal residence, where Khosrau gratified the +champion with the most cordial welcome, placing him on a throne before +him. The king asked him what force he would require, and he replied that +he did not require any army; he preferred going in disguise as a +merchant. Accordingly the necessary materials were prepared; a thousand +camels were laden with jewels and brocades, and other merchandise, and a +thousand warriors were habited like camel-drivers. Girgin had prayed to +be released from his bonds, and by the intercession of Rustem was +allowed to be of the party; but his children were kept in prison as +hostages and security for his honorable conduct. When the champion, with +his kafila, arrived within the territory of the enemy, and approached +the spot where Byzun was imprisoned, a loud clamor arose that a caravan +of merchandise had come from Iran, such as was never seen before. The +tidings having reached the ear of Manijeh, she went immediately to +Rustem, and inquired whether the imprisonment of Byzun was yet known at +the Persian court? Rustem replied in anger: "I am a merchant employed in +traffic, what can I know of such things? Go away, I have no acquaintance +with either the king or his warriors." This answer overwhelmed Manijeh +with disappointment and grief, and she wept bitterly. Her tears began to +soften the heart of Rustem, and he said to her in a soothing voice:--"I +am not an inhabitant of the city in which the court is held, and on that +account I know nothing of these matters; but tell me the cause of thy +grief." Manijeh sighed deeply, and endeavored to avoid giving him any +reply, which increased the curiosity of the champion; but she at length +complied. She told him who she was, the daughter of Afrasiyab, the story +of her love, and the misfortunes of Byzun, and pointed out to him the +pit in which he was imprisoned and bound down with heavy chains. + + "For the sake of him has been my fall + From royal state, and bower, and hall, + And hence this pale and haggard face, + This saffron hue thy eye may trace, + Where bud of rose was wont to bloom, + But withered now and gone; + And I must sit in sorrow's gloom + Unsuccoured and alone." + +Rustem asked with deep interest if any food could be conveyed to him, +and she said that she had been accustomed to supply him with bread and +water through a fissure in the huge stone which covered the mouth of the +pit. Upon receiving this welcome information, Rustem brought a roasted +fowl, and inclosing in it his own seal-ring, gave it to Manijeh to take +to Byzun. The poor captive, on receiving it, inquired by whom such a +blessing could have been sent, and when she informed him that it had +been given to her by the chief of a caravan from Iran, who had +manifested great anxiety about him, his smiles spoke the joyous feelings +of his heart, for the name of Rustem was engraved on the ring. Manijeh +was surprised to see him smile, considering his melancholy situation, +and could not imagine the cause. "If thou wilt keep my secret," said he, +"I will tell thee the cause." "What!" she replied, "have I not devoted +my heart and soul to thee?--have I not sacrificed everything for thy +love, and is my fidelity now to be suspected? + + "Can I be faithless, then, to thee, + The choice of this fond heart of mine; + Why sought I bonds, when I was free, + But to be thine--forever thine?" + +"True, true! then hear me:--the chief of the caravan is Rustem, who has +undoubtedly come to release me from this dreadful pit. Go to him, and +concert with him the manner in which my deliverance may be soonest +effected." Manijeh accordingly went and communicated with the champion; +and it was agreed between them that she should light a large fire to +guide him on his way. He was prompt as well as valiant, and repaired in +the middle of the following night, accompanied by seven of his warriors, +directed by the blaze, to the place where Byzun was confined. The +neighborhood was infested by demons with long nails, and long hair on +their bodies like the hair of a goat, and horny feet, and with heads +like dogs, and the chief of them was the son of Akwan Diw. The father +having been slain by Rustem, the son nourished the hope of revenge, and +perpetually longed for an opportunity of meeting him in battle. Well +knowing that the champion was engaged in the enterprise to liberate +Byzun, he commanded his demons to give him intelligence of his approach. +His height was tremendous, his face was black, his mouth yawned like a +cavern, his eyes were fountains of blood, his teeth like those of a wild +boar, and the hair on his body like needles. The monster advanced, and +reproaching Rustem disdainfully for having slain Akwan Diw, and many +other warriors in the Turanian interest, pulled up a tree by the roots +and challenged him to combat. The struggle began, but the Demon +frequently escaped the fury of the champion by vanishing into air. At +length Rustem struck a fortunate blow, which cut the body of his +towering adversary in two. His path being now free from interruption, he +sped onward, and presently beheld the prodigious demon-stone which +covered the mouth of the pit, in which Byzun was imprisoned. + + And praying to the Almighty to infuse + Strength through his limbs, he raised it up, and flung + The ponderous mass of rock upon the plain, + Which shuddered to receive that magic load! + +The mouth of the cavern being thus exposed, Rustem applied himself to +the extrication of Byzun from his miserable condition, and letting down +his kamund, he had soon the pleasure of drawing up the unfortunate +captive, whom he embraced with great affection; and instantly stripped +off the chains with which he was bound. After mutual congratulations had +been exchanged, Rustem proposed that Byzun and Manijeh should go +immediately to Iran, whilst he and his companions in arms attacked the +palace of Afrasiyab; but though wasted as he was by long suffering, +Byzun could not on any consideration consent to avoid the perils of the +intended assault, and determined, at all hazards, to accompany his +deliverer. + + "Full well I know thy superhuman power + Needs no assistance from an arm like mine; + But grateful as I am for this great service, + I cannot leave thee now, and shrink from peril, + That would be baseness which I could not bear." + +It was on the same night that Rustem and Byzun, and seven of his +warriors, proceeded against that part of the palace in which the tyrant +slept. He first put to death the watchman, and also killed a great +number of the guard, and a loud voice presently resounded in the chamber +of the king:--"Awake from thy slumbers, Afrasiyab, Byzun has been freed +from his chains." Rustem now entered the royal palace, and openly +declaring his name, exclaimed:--"I am come, Afrasiyab, to destroy thee, +and Byzun is also here to do thee service for thy cruelty to him." The +death-note awoke the trembling Afrasiyab, and he rose up, and fled in +dismay. Rustem and his companions rushed into the inner apartments, and +captured all the blooming damsels of the shubistan, and all the jewels +and golden ornaments which fell in their way. The moon-faced beauties +were sent to Zabul; but the jewels and other valuable property were +reserved for the king. + +In the morning Afrasiyab hastily collected together his troops and +marched against Rustem, who, with Byzun and his thousand warriors, met +him on the plain prepared for battle. The champion challenged any one +who would come forward to single combat; but though frequently repeated, +no attention was paid to the call. At length Rustem said to +Afrasiyab:--"Art thou not ashamed to avoid a contest with so inferior +a force, a hundred thousand against one thousand? We two, and our +armies, have often met, and dost thou now shrink from the fight?" The +reproach had its effect, + + For the tyrant at once, and his heroes, began + Their attack like the demons of Mazinderan. + +But the valor and the bravery of Rustem were so eminently shown, that he +overthrew thousands of the enemy. + + In the tempest of battle, disdaining all fear, + With his kamund, and khanjer, his garz, and shamshir, + How he bound, stabbed, and crushed, and dissevered the foe, + So mighty his arm, and so fatal his blow. + +And so dreadful was the carnage, that Afrasiyab, unable to resist his +victorious career, was compelled to seek safety in flight. + + The field was red with blood, the Tartar banners + Cast on the ground, and when, with grief, he saw + The face of Fortune turned, his cohorts slain, + He hurried back, and sought Turan again. + +Rustem having obtained another triumph, returned to Iran with the spoils +of his conquest, and was again honored with the smiles and rewards of +his sovereign. Manijeh was not forgotten; she, too, received a present +worthy of the virtue and fidelity she had displayed, and of the +magnanimity of her spirit; and the happy conclusion of the enterprise +was celebrated with festivity and rejoicing. + + + +BARZU, AND HIS CONFLICT WITH RUSTEM + +Afrasiyab after his defeat pursued his way in despair towards Chin and +Ma-chin, and on the road happened to fall in with a man of huge and +terrific stature. Amazed at the sight of so extraordinary a being, he +asked him who and what he was. "I am a villager," replied the stranger. +"And thy father?"--"I do not know my father. My mother has never +mentioned his name, and my birth is wrapped in mystery." Afrasiyab then +addressed him as follows:--"It is my misfortune to have a bitter and +invincible enemy, who has plunged me into the greatest distress. If he +could be subdued, there would be no impediment to my conquest of Iran; +and I feel assured that thou, apparently endued with such prodigious +strength, hast the power to master him. His name is Rustem." "What!" +rejoined Barzu, "is all this concern and affliction about one man--about +one man only?" "Yes," answered Afrasiyab; "but that one man is equal to +a hundred strong men. Upon him neither sword, nor mace, nor javelin has +any effect. In battle he is like a mountain of steel." At this Barzu +exclaimed in gamesome mood:--"A mountain of steel!--I can reduce to dust +a hundred mountains of steel!--What is a mountain of steel to me!" +Afrasiyab rejoiced to find such confidence in the stranger, and +instantly promised him his own daughter in marriage, and the monarchy of +Chin and Ma-chin, if he succeeded in destroying Rustem. Barzu replied:-- + + "Thou art but a coward slave, + Thus a stranger's aid to crave. + And thy soldiers, what are they? + Heartless on the battle-day. + Thou, the prince of such a host! + What, alas! hast thou to boast? + Art thou not ashamed to wear + The regal crown that glitters there? + And dost thou not disgrace the throne + Thus to be awed, and crushed by one; + By one, whate'er his name or might, + Thus to be put to shameful flight!" + +Afrasiyab felt keenly the reproaches which he heard; but, nevertheless, +solicited the assistance of Barzu, who declared that he would soon +overpower Rustem, and place the empire of Iran under the dominion of the +Tartar king. He would, he said, overflow the land of Persia with blood, +and take possession of the throne! The despot was intoxicated with +delight, and expecting his most sanguine wishes would be realized, made +him the costliest presents, consisting of gold and jewels, and horses, +and elephants, so that the besotted stranger thought himself the +greatest personage in all the world. But his mother, when she heard +these things, implored him to be cautious:-- + + "My son, these presents, though so rich and rare, + Will be thy winding-sheet; beware, beware! + They'll drive to madness thy poor giddy brain, + And thou wilt never be restored again. + Never; for wert thou bravest of the brave, + They only lead to an untimely grave. + Then give them back, nor such a doom provoke, + Beware of Rustem's host-destroying stroke. + Has he not conquered demons!--and, alone, + Afrasiyab's best warriors overthrown! + And canst thou equal them?--Alas! the day + That thy sweet life should thus be thrown away." + +Barzu, however, was too much dazzled by the presents he had received, +and too vain of his own personal strength to attend to his mother's +advice. "Certainly," said he, "the disposal of our lives is in the hands +of the Almighty, and as certain it is that my strength is superior to +that of Rustem. Would it not then be cowardly to decline the contest +with him?" The mother still continued to dissuade him from the +enterprise, and assured him that Rustem was above all mankind +distinguished for the art, and skill, and dexterity, with which he +attacked his enemy, and defended himself; and that there was no chance +of his being overcome by a man entirely ignorant of the science of +fighting; but Barzu remained unmoved: yet he told the king what his +mother had said; and Afrasiyab, in consequence, deemed it proper to +appoint two celebrated masters to instruct him in the use of the bow, +the sword, and the javelin, and also in wrestling and throwing the +noose. Every day, clothed in armor, he tried his skill and strength with +the warriors, and after ten days he was sufficiently accomplished to +overthrow eighteen of them at one time. Proud of the progress he had +made, he told the king that he would seize and bind eighteen of his +stoutest and most experienced teachers, and bring them before him, if he +wished, when all the assembly exclaimed:--"No doubt he is fully equal +to the task; + + "He does not seem of human birth, but wears + The aspect of the Evil One; and looks + Like Alberz mountain, clad in folds of mail; + Unwearied in the fight he conquers all." + +Afrasiyab's satisfaction was increased by this testimony to the merit of +Barzu, and he heaped upon him further tokens of his good-will and +munificence. The vain, newly-made warrior was all exultation and +delight, and said impatiently:-- + + "Delays are ever dangerous--let us meet + The foe betimes, this Rustem and the king, + Kai-khosrau. If we linger in a cause + Demanding instant action, prompt appliance, + And rapid execution, we are lost. + Advance, and I will soon lop off the heads + Of this belauded champion and his king, + And cast them, with the Persian crown and throne + Trophies of glory, at thy royal feet; + So that Turan alone shall rule the world." + +Speedily ten thousand experienced horsemen were selected and placed +under the command of Barzu; and Human and Barman were appointed to +accompany him; Afrasiyab himself intending to follow with the reserve. + +When the intelligence of this new expedition reached the court of +Kai-khosrau, he was astonished, and could not conceive how, after so +signal a defeat and overthrow, Afrasiyab had the means of collecting +another army, and boldly invading his kingdom. To oppose this invasion, +however, he ordered Tus and Friburz, with twelve thousand horsemen, and +marched after them himself with a large army. As soon as Tus fell in +with the enemy the battle commenced, and lasted, with great carnage, a +whole day and night, and in the end Barzu was victorious. The warriors +of the Persian force fled, and left Tus and Friburz alone on the field, +where they were encountered by the conqueror, taken prisoners, and +bound, and placed in the charge of Human. The tidings of the result of +this conflict were received with as much rejoicing by Afrasiyab, as with +sorrow and consternation by Kai-khosrau. And now the emergency, on the +Persian side, demanded the assistance of Rustem, whose indignation was +roused, and who determined on revenge for the insult that had been +given. He took with him Gustahem, the brother of Tus, and at midnight +thought he had come to the tent of Barzu, but it proved to be the +pavilion of Afrasiyab, who was seen seated on his throne, with Barzu on +his right hand, and Piran-wisah on his left, and Tus and Friburz +standing in chains before them. The king said to the captive warriors: +"To-morrow you shall both be put to death in the manner I slew +Saiawush." He then retired. Meanwhile Rustem returned thanks to Heaven +that his friends were still alive, and requesting Gustahem to follow +cautiously, he waited awhile for a fit opportunity, till the watchman +was off his guard, and then killing him, he and Gustahem took up and +conveyed the two prisoners to a short distance, where they knocked off +their chains, and then conducted them back to Kai-khosrau. + +When Afrasiyab arose from sleep, he found his warriors in close and +earnest conversation, and was told that a champion from Persia had come +and killed the watchman, and carried off the prisoners. Piran exclaimed: +"Then assuredly that champion is Rustem, and no other." Afrasiyab +writhed with anger and mortification at this intelligence, and sending +for Barzu, despatched his army to attack the enemy, and challenge Rustem +to single combat. Rustem was with the Persian troops, and, answering the +summons, said: "Young man, if thou art calling for Rustem, behold I come +in his place to lay thee prostrate on the earth." "Ah!" rejoined Barzu, +"and why this threat? It is true I am but of tender years, whilst thou +art aged and experienced. But if thou art fire, I am water, and able to +quench thy flames." Saying this he wielded his bow, and fixed the arrow +in its notch, and commenced the strife. Rustem also engaged with bow and +arrows; and then they each had recourse to their maces, which from +repeated strokes were soon bent as crooked as their bows, and they were +themselves nearly exhausted. Their next encounter was by wrestling, and +dreadful were the wrenches and grasps they received from each other. +Barzu finding no advantage from this struggle, raised his mace, and +struck Rustem such a prodigious blow on the head, that the champion +thought a whole mountain had fallen upon him. One arm was disabled, but +though the wound was desperate, Rustem had the address to conceal its +effects, and Barzu wondered that he had made apparently so little +impression on his antagonist. "Thou art," said he, "a surprising +warrior, and seemingly invulnerable. Had I struck such a blow on a +mountain, it would have been broken into a thousand fragments, and yet +it makes no impression upon thee. Heaven forbid!" he continued to +himself, "that I should ever receive so bewildering a stroke upon my own +head!" Rustem having successfully concealed the anguish of his wound, +artfully observed that it would be better to finish the combat on the +following day, to which Barzu readily agreed, and then they both parted. + +Barzu declared to Afrasiyab that his extraordinary vigor and strength +had been of no account, for both his antagonist and his horse appeared +to be composed of materials as hard as flint. Every blow was without +effect; and "Heaven only knows," added he, "what may be the result of +to-morrow's conflict." On the other hand Rustem showed his lacerated arm +to Khosrau, and said: "I have escaped from him; but who else is there +now to meet him, and finish the struggle? Feramurz, my son, cannot +fulfil my promise with Barzu, as he, alas! is fighting in Hindustan. Let +me, however, call him hither, and in the meanwhile, on some pretext or +other, delay the engagement." The king, in great sorrow and affliction, +sanctioned his departure, and then said to his warriors: "I will fight +this Barzu myself to-morrow;" but Gudarz would not consent to it, +saying: "As long as we live, the king must not be exposed to such +hazard. Giw and Byzun, and the other chiefs, must first successively +encounter the enemy." + +When Rustem reached his tent, he told his brother Zuara to get ready a +litter, that he might proceed to Sistan for the purpose of obtaining a +remedy for his wound from the Simurgh. Pain and grief kept him awake all +night, and he prayed incessantly to the Supreme Being. In the morning +early, Zuara brought him intelligence of the welcome arrival of +Feramurz, which gladdened his heart; and as the youth had undergone +great fatigue on his long journey, Rustem requested him to repose +awhile, and he himself, freed from anxiety, also sought relief in a +sound sleep. + +A few hours afterwards both armies were again drawn up, and Barzu, like +a mad elephant, full of confidence and pride, rode forward to resume the +combat; whilst Rustem gave instructions to Feramurz how he was to act. +He attired him in his own armor, supplied him with his own weapons, and +mounted him on Rakush, and told him to represent himself to Barzu as the +warrior who had engaged him the day before. Accordingly Feramurz entered +the middle space, clothed in his father's mail, raised his bow, ready +bent, and shot an arrow at Barzu, crying: "Behold thy adversary! I am +the man come to try thy strength again. Advance!" To this Barzu replied: +"Why this hilarity, and great flow of spirits? Art thou reckless of thy +life?" "In the eyes of warriors," said Feramurz, "the field of fight is +the mansion of pleasure. After I yesterday parted from thee I drank wine +with my companions, and the impression of delight still remains on my +heart. + + "Wine exhilarates the soul, + Makes the eye with pleasure roll; + Lightens up the darkest mien, + Fills with joy the dullest scene; + Hence it is I meet thee now + With a smile upon my brow," + +Barzu, however, thought that the voice and action of his adversary were +not the same as he had heard and seen the preceding day, although there +was no difference in the armor or the horse, and therefore he said: +"Perhaps the cavalier whom I encountered yesterday is wounded or dead, +that thou hast mounted his charger, and attired thyself in his mail." +"Indeed," rejoined Feramurz, "perhaps thou hast lost thy wits; I am +certainly the person who engaged thee yesterday, and almost extinguished +thee; and with God's favor thou shalt be a dead man to-day." "What is +thy name?" "My name is Rustem, descended from a race of warriors, and my +pleasure consists in contending with the lions of battle, and shedding +the blood of heroes." Thus saying, Feramurz rushed on his adversary, +struck him several blows with his battle-axe, and drawing his noose from +the saddle-strap with the quickness of lightning, secured his prize. He +might have put an end to his existence in a moment, but preferred taking +him alive, and showing him as a captive. Afrasiyab seeing the perilous +condition of Barzu, came up with his whole army to his rescue; but +Kai-khosrau was equally on the alert, accompanied by Rustem, who, +advancing to the support of Feramurz, threw another noose round the neck +of the already-captured Barzu, to prevent the possibility of his escape. +Both armies now engaged, and the Turanians made many desperate efforts +to recover their gigantic leader, but all their manoeuvres were +fruitless. The struggle continued fiercely, and with great slaughter, +till it was dark, and then ceased; the two kings returned back to the +respective positions they had taken up before the conflict took place. +The Turanians were in the deepest grief for the loss of Barzu; and +Piran-wisah having recommended an immediate retreat across the Jihun, +Afrasiyab followed his counsel, and precipitately quitted Persia with +all his troops. + +Kai-khosrau ordered a grand banquet on the occasion of the victory; and +when Barzu was brought before him, he commanded his immediate execution; +but Rustem, seeing that he was very young, and thinking that he had not +yet been corrupted and debased by the savage example of the Turanians, +requested that he might be spared, and given to him to send into Sistan; +and his request was promptly complied with. + +When the mother of Barzu, whose name was Shah-ru, heard that her son was +a prisoner, she wept bitterly, and hastened to Iran, and from thence to +Sistan. There happened to be in Rustem's employ a singing-girl,[50] an +old acquaintance of hers, to whom she was much attached, and to whom she +made large presents, calling her by the most endearing epithets, in +order that she might be brought to serve her in the important matter she +had in contemplation. Her object was soon explained, and the +preliminaries at once adjusted, and by the hands of this singing-girl +she secretly sent some food to Barzu, in which she concealed a ring, to +apprise him of her being near him. On finding the ring, he asked who had +supplied him with the food, and her answer was: "A woman recently +arrived from Ma-chin." This was to him delightful intelligence, and he +could not help exclaiming, "That woman is my mother, I am grateful for +thy services, but another time bring me, if thou canst, a large file, +that I may be able to free myself from these chains." The singing-girl +promised her assistance; and having told Shah-ru what her son required, +conveyed to him a file, and resolved to accompany him in his flight. +Barzu then requested that three fleet horses might be provided and kept +ready under the walls, at a short distance; and this being also done, in +the night, he and his mother, and the singing-girl, effected their +escape, and pursued their course towards Turan. + +It so happened that Rustem was at this time in progress between Iran and +Sistan, hunting for his own pleasure the elk or wild ass, and he +accidentally fell in with the refugees, who made an attempt to avoid +him, but, unable to effect their purpose, thought proper to oppose him +with all their might, and a sharp contest ensued. Both parties becoming +fatigued, they rested awhile, when Rustem asked Barzu how he had +obtained his liberty. "The Almighty freed me from the bondage I +endured." "And who are these two women?" "One of them," replied Barzu, +"is my mother, and that is a singing-girl of thy own house." Rustem went +aside, and called for breakfast, and thinking in his own mind that it +would be expedient to poison Barzu, mixed up a deleterious substance in +some food, and sent it to him to eat. He was just going to take it, when +his mother cried, "My son, beware!" and he drew his hand from the dish. +But the singing-girl did eat part of it, and died on the spot. Upon +witnessing this appalling scene, Barzu sprang forward with indignation, +and reproached Rustem for his treachery in the severest terms. + + "Old man! hast thou mid warrior-chiefs a place, + And dost thou practice that which brings disgrace? + Hast thou no fear of a degraded name, + No fear of lasting obloquy and shame? + O, thou canst have no hope in God, when thou + Stand'st thus defiled--dishonoured, false, as now; + Unfair, perfidious, art thou too, in strife, + By any pretext thou wouldst take my life!" + +He then in a menacing attitude exclaimed: "If thou art a man, rise and +fight!" Rustem felt ashamed on being thus detected, and rose up frowning +in scorn. They met, brandishing their battle-axes, and looking as black +as the clouds of night. They then dismounted to wrestle, and fastening +the bridles, each to his own girdle, furiously grasped each other's +loins and limbs, straining and struggling for the mastery. Whilst they +were thus engaged, their horses betrayed equal animosity, and attacked +each other with great violence. Rakush bit and kicked Barzu's steed so +severely that he strove to gallop away, dragging his master, who was at +the same time under the excruciating grip of Rustem. "O, release me for +a moment till I am disentangled from my horse," exclaimed Barzu; but +Rustem heeding him not, now pressed him down beneath him, and was +preparing to give him the finishing blow by cutting off his head, when +the mother seeing the fatal moment approach, shrieked, and cried out, +"Forbear, Rustem! this youth is the son of Sohrab, and thy own +grandchild! Forbear, and bring not on thyself the devouring anguish +which followed the death of his unhappy father. + + "Think of Sohrab! take not the precious life + Of sire and son--unnatural is the strife; + Restrain, for mercy's sake, that furious mood, + And pause before thou shedd'st a kinsman's blood." + +"Ah!" rejoined Rustem, "can that be true?" upon which Shah-ru showed him +Sohrab's brilliant finger-ring and he was satisfied. He then pressed +Barzu warmly and affectionately to his breast, and kissed his head and +eyes, and took him along with him to Sistan, where he placed him in a +station of honor, and introduced him to his great-grandfather Zal, who +received and caressed him with becoming tenderness and regard. + + + +SUSEN AND AFRASIYAB + +Soon after Afrasiyab had returned defeated into Turan, grievously +lamenting the misfortune which had deprived him of the assistance of +Barzu, a woman named Susen, deeply versed in magic and sorcery, came to +him, and promised by her potent art to put him in the way of destroying +Rustem and his whole family. + + "Fighting disappointment brings, + Sword and mace are useless things; + If thou wouldst a conqueror be, + Monarch! put thy trust in me; + Soon the mighty chief shall bleed-- + Spells and charms will do the deed!" + +Afrasiyab at first refused to avail himself of her power, but was +presently induced, by a manifestation of her skill, to consent to what +she proposed. She required that a distinguished warrior should be sent +along with her, furnished with abundance of treasure, honorary tokens +and presents, so that none might be aware that she was employed on the +occasion. Afrasiyab appointed Pilsam, duly supplied with the requisites, +and the warrior and the sorceress set off on their journey, people being +stationed conveniently on the road to hasten the first tidings of their +success to the king. Their course was towards Sistan, and arriving at a +fort, they took possession of a commodious residence, in which they +placed the wealth and property they had brought, and, establishing a +house of entertainment, all travellers who passed that way were +hospitably and sumptuously regaled by them. + + For sparkling wine, and viands rare, + And mellow fruit, abounded there. + +It is recorded that Rustem had invited to a magnificent feast at his +palace in Sistan a large company of the most celebrated heroes of the +kingdom, and amongst them happened to be Tus, whom the king had deputed +to the champion on some important state affairs. Gudarz was also +present; and between him and Tus ever hostile to each other, a dispute +as usual took place. The latter, always boasting of his ancestry, +reviled the old warrior and said, "I am the son of Nauder, and the +grandson of Feridun, whilst thou art but the son of Kavah, the +blacksmith;--why then dost thou put thyself on a footing with me?" +Gudarz, in reply, poured upon him reproaches equally irritating, accused +him of ignorance and folly, and roused the anger of the prince to such a +degree that he drew his dagger to punish the offender, when Reham +started up and prevented the intended bloodshed. This interposition +increased his rage, and in serious dudgeon he retired from the banquet, +and set off on his return to Iran. + +Rustem was not present at the time, but when he heard of the altercation +and the result of it, he was very angry, saying that Gudarz was a +relation of the family, and Tus his guest, and therefore wrong had been +done, since a guest ought always to be protected. "A guest," he said, +"ought to be held as sacred as the king, and it is the custom of heroes +to treat a guest with the most scrupulous respect and consideration-- + + "For a guest is the king of the feast." + +He then requested Gudarz to go after Tus, and by fair words and proper +excuses bring him back to his festive board. Accordingly Gudarz +departed. No sooner had he gone than Giw rose up, and said, "Tus is +little better than a madman, and my father of a hasty temper; I should +therefore wish to follow, to prevent the possibility of further +disagreement." To this Rustem consented. Byzun was now also anxious to +go, and he too got permission. When all the three had departed, Rustem +began to be apprehensive that something unpleasant would occur, and +thought it prudent to send Feramurz to preserve the peace. Zal then came +forward, and thinking that Tus, the descendant of the Kais and his +revered guest, might not be easily prevailed upon to return either by +Gudarz, Giw, Byzun, or Feramurz, resolved to go himself and soothe the +temper which had been so injudiciously and rudely ruffled at the +banquet. + +When Tus, on his journey from Rustem's palace, approached the residence +of Susen the sorceress, he beheld numerous cooks and confectioners on +every side, preparing all kinds of rich and rare dishes of food, and +every species of sweetmeat; and enquiring to whom they belonged, he was +told that the place was occupied by the wife of a merchant from Turan, +who was extremely wealthy, and who entertained in the most sumptuous +manner every traveller who passed that way. Hungry, and curious to see +what was going on, Tus dismounted, and leaving his horse with the +attendants, entered the principal apartment, where he saw a fascinating +female, and was transported with joy.--She was + + Tall as the graceful cypress, and as bright, + As ever struck a lover's ravished sight; + Why of her musky locks or ringlets tell? + Each silky hair itself contained a spell. + Why of her face so beautifully fair? + Wondering he saw the moon's refulgence there. + +As soon as his transports had subsided he sat down before her, and asked +her who she was, and upon what adventure she was engaged; and she +answered that she was a singing-girl, that a wealthy merchant some time +ago had fallen in love with and married her, and soon afterwards died; +that Afrasiyab, the king, had since wished to take her into his harem, +which alarmed her, and she had in consequence fled from his country; she +was willing, however, she said, to become the handmaid of Kai-khosrau, +he being a true king, and of a sweet and gentle temper. + + "A persecuted damsel I, + Thus the detested tyrant fly, + And hastening from impending woes, + In happy Persia seek repose; + For long as cherished life remains, + Pleasure must smile where Khosrau reigns. + Thence did I from my home depart, + To please and bless a Persian heart." + +The deception worked effectually on the mind of Tus, and he at once +entered into the notion of escorting her to Kai-khosrau. But he was +immediately supplied with charmed viands and goblets of rich wine, which +he had not the power to resist, till his senses forsook him, and then +Pilsam appeared, and, binding him with cords, conveyed him safely and +secretly into the interior of the fort. In a short time Gudarz arrived, +and he too was received and treated in the same manner. Then Giw and +Byzun were seized and secured; and after them came Zal: but +notwithstanding the enticements that were used, and the attractions that +presented themselves, he would neither enter the enchanted apartment, +nor taste the enchanted food or wine. + + The bewitching cup was filled to the brim, + But the magic draught had no charms for him. + +A person whispered in his ear that the woman had already wickedly got +into her power several warriors, and he felt assured that they were his +own friends. To be revenged for this treachery he rushed forward, and +would have seized hold of the sorceress, but she fled into the fort and +fastened the gate. He instantly sent a messenger to Rustem, explaining +the perplexity in which he was involved, and exerting all his strength, +broke down the gate that had just been closed against him as soon as the +passage was opened, out rushed Pilsam, who with his mace commenced a +furious battle with Zal, in which he nearly overpowered him, when +Feramurz reached the spot, and telling the venerable old warrior to +stand aside, took his place, and fought with Pilsam without intermission +all day, and till they were parted by the darkness of night. + +Early in the morning Rustem, accompanied by Barzu, arrived from Sistan, +and entering the fort, called aloud for Pilsam. He also sent Feramurz to +Kai-khosrau to inform him of what had occurred. Pilsam at length issued +forth, and attacked the champion. They first fought with bows and +arrows, with javelins next, and then successively with maces, and +swords, and daggers. The contest lasted the whole day; and when at night +they parted, neither had gained the victory. The next morning immense +clouds of dust were seen, and they were found to be occasioned by +Afrasiyab and his army marching to the spot. Rustem appointed Barzu to +proceed with his Zabul troops against him, whilst he himself encountered +Pilsam. The strife between the two was dreadful. Rustem struck him +several times furiously upon the head, and at length stretched him +lifeless on the sand. He then impelled Rakush towards the Turanian army, +and aided by Zal and Barzu, committed tremendous havoc among them. + + So thick the arrows fell, helmet, and mail, + And shield, pierced through, looked like a field of reeds. + +In the meantime Susen, the sorceress, escaped from the fort, and fled to +Afrasiyab. + +Another cloud of dust spreading from earth to heaven, was observed in +the direction of Persia, and the waving banners becoming more distinct, +presently showed the approach of the king, Kai-khosrau. + + The steely javelins sparkled in the sun, + Helmet and shield, and joyous seemed the sight. + Banners, all gorgeous, floating on the breeze, + And horns shrill echoing, and the tramp of steeds, + Proclaimed to dazzled eye and half-stunned ear, + The mighty preparation. + +The hostile armies soon met, and there was a sanguinary conflict, but +the Turanians were obliged to give way. Upon this common result, +Piran-wisah declared to Afrasiyab that perseverance was as ridiculous as +unprofitable. "Our army has no heart, nor confidence, when opposed to +Rustem; how often have we been defeated by him--how often have we been +scattered like sheep before that lion in battle! We have just lost the +aid of Barzu, and now is it not deplorable to put any trust in the +dreams of a singing-girl, to accelerate on her account the ruin of the +country, and to hazard thy own personal safety. + + "What! risk an empire on a woman's word!" + +Afrasiyab replied, "So it is;" and instantly urged his horse into the +middle of the plain, where he loudly challenged Kai-khosrau to single +combat, saying, "Why should we uselessly shed the blood of our warriors +and people. Let us ourselves decide the day. God will give the triumph +to him who merits it." Kai-khosrau was ashamed to refuse this challenge, +and descending from his elephant, mounted his horse and prepared for the +onset. But his warriors seized the bridle, and would not allow him to +fight. He declared, however, that he would himself take revenge for the +blood of Saiawush, and struggled to overcome the friends who were +opposing his progress. "Forbear awhile," said Rustem, "Afrasiyab is +expert in all the arts of the warrior, fighting with the sword, the +dagger, in archery, and wrestling. When I wrestled with him, and held +him down, he could not have escaped, excepting by the exercise of the +most consummate dexterity. Allow thy warriors to fight for thee." But +the king was angry, and said, "The monarch who does not fight for +himself, is unworthy of the crown." Upon hearing this, Rustem wept tears +of blood. Barzu now took hold of the king's stirrup, and knocked his +forehead against it, and drawing his dagger, threatened to put an end to +himself, saying, "My blood will be upon thy neck, if thou goest;" and he +continued in a strain so eloquent and persuasive that Khosrau relaxed in +his determination, and observed to Rustem: "There can be no doubt that +Barzu is descended from thee." Barzu now respectfully kissed the ground +before the king, and vaulting on his saddle with admirable agility, +rushed onwards to the middle space where Afrasiyab was waiting, and +roared aloud. Afrasiyab burned with indignation at the sight, and said +in his heart: "It seems that I have nurtured and instructed this +ingrate, to shed my own blood. Thou wretch of demon-birth, thou knowest +not thy father's name! and yet thou comest to wage war against me! Art +thou not ashamed to look upon the king of Turan after what he has done +for thee?" Barzu replied: "Although thou didst protect me, thou spilt +the blood of Saiawush and Aghriras unjustly. When I ate thy salt, I +served thee faithfully, and fought for thee. I now eat the salt of +Kai-khosrau, and my allegiance is due to him." + + He spoke, and raised his battle-axe, and rushed, + Swift as a demon of Mazinderan, + Against Afrasiyab, who, frowning, cried:-- + "Approach not like a furious elephant, + Heedless what may befall thee--nor provoke + The wrath of him whose certain aim is death." + Then placed he on the string a pointed dart, + And shot it from the bow; whizzing it flew, + And pierced the armor of the wondering youth, + Inflicting on his side a painful wound, + Which made his heart with trepidation throb; + High exultation marked the despot's brow, + Seeing the gush of blood his loins distain. + +Barzu was now anxious to assail Afrasiyab with his mace, instead of +arrows; but whenever he tried to get near enough, he was disappointed by +the adroitness of his adversary, whom he could not reach. He was at last +compelled to lay aside the battle-axe, and have recourse to his bow, but +every arrow was dexterously received by Afrasiyab on his shield; and +Barzu, on his part, became equally active and successful. Afrasiyab soon +emptied his quiver, and then he grasped his mace with the intention of +extinguishing his antagonist at once, but at the moment Human came up, +and said: "O, king! do not bring thyself into jeopardy by contending +against a person of no account; thy proper adversary is Kai-khosrau, and +not him, for if thou gainest the victory, it can only be a victory over +a fatherless soldier, and if thou art killed, the whole of Turan will be +at the feet of Persia." Both Piran and Human dissuaded the king from +continuing the engagement singly, and directed the Turanians to commence +a general attack. Afrasiyab told them that if Barzu was not slain, it +would be a great misfortune to their country; in consequence, they +surrounded him, and inflicted on him many severe wounds. But Rustem and +Feramurz, beholding the dilemma into which Barzu was thrown, hastened to +his support, and many of the enemy were killed by them, and great +carnage followed the advance of the Persian army. + + The noise of clashing swords, and ponderous maces + Ringing upon the iron mail, seemed like + The busy work-shop of an armorer; + Tumultuous as the sea the field appeared, + All crimsoned with the blood of heroes slain. + +Kai-khosrau himself hurried to the assistance of Barzu, and the powerful +force which he brought along with him soon put the Turanians to flight. +Afrasiyab too made his escape in the confusion that prevailed. The king +wished to pursue the enemy, but Rustem observed that their defeat and +dispersion was enough. The battle having ceased, and the army being in +the neighborhood of Sistan, the champion solicited permission to return +to his home; "for I am now," said he, "four hundred years old, and +require a little rest. In the meantime Feramurz and Barzu may take my +place." The king consented, and distributing his favors to each of his +distinguished warriors for their prodigious exertions, left Zal and +Rustem to proceed to Sistan, and returned to the capital of his kingdom. + + + +THE EXPEDITION OF GUDARZ + +The overthrow of the sovereign of Turan had only a temporary effect, as +it was not long before he was enabled to collect further supplies, and +another army for the defence of his kingdom; and Kai-khosrau's ambition +to reduce the power of his rival being animated by new hopes of success, +another expedition was entrusted to the command of Gudarz. Rustem, he +said, had done his duty in repeated campaigns against Afrasiyab, and the +extraordinary gallantry and wisdom with which they were conducted, +entitled him to the highest applause. "It is now, Gudarz, thy turn to +vanquish the enemy." Accordingly Gudarz, accompanied by Giw, and Tus, +and Byzun, and an immense army, proceeded towards Turan. Feramurz was +directed previously to invade and conquer Hindustan, and from thence to +march to the borders of Chin and Ma-chin, for the purpose of uniting and +co-operating with the army under Gudarz, and, finally, to capture +Afrasiyab. + +As soon as it was known in Turan that Gudarz was in motion to resume +hostilities against the king, Human was appointed with a large force to +resist his progress, and a second army of reserve was gathered together +under the command of Piran. The first conflict which occurred was +between the troops of Gudarz and Human. Gudarz directed Byzun to attack +Human. The two chiefs joined in battle, when Human fell under the sword +of his adversary, and his army, being defeated, retired, and united in +the rear with the legions of Piran. The enemy thus became of formidable +strength, and in consequence it was thought proper to communicate the +inequality to Kai-khosrau, that reinforcements might be sent without +loss of time. The king immediately complied, and also wrote to Sistan to +request the aid of Rustem. The war lasted two years, the army on each +side being continually recruited as necessity required, so that the +numbers were regularly kept up, till a great battle took place, in which +the venerable Piran was killed, and nearly the whole of his army +destroyed. This victory was obtained without the assistance of Rustem, +who, notwithstanding the message of the king, had still remained in +Sistan. The loss of Piran, the counsellor and warrior, proved to be a +great affliction to Afrasiyab: he felt as if his whole support was taken +away, and deemed it the signal of approaching ruin to his cause. + + "Thou wert my refuge, thou my friend and brother; + Wise in thy counsel, gallant in the field, + My monitor and guide--and thou art gone! + The glory of my kingdom is eclipsed, + Since thou hast vanished from this world, and left me + All wretched to myself. But food, nor sleep + Nor rest will I indulge in, till just vengeance + Has been inflicted on the cruel foe." + +When the news of Piran's death reached Kai-khosrau, he rapidly marched +forward, crossed the Jihun without delay, and passed through Samerkand +and Bokhara, to encounter the Turanians. Afrasiyab, in the meantime, had +not been neglectful. He had all his hidden treasure dug up, with which +he assembled a prodigious army, and appointed his son Shydah-Poshang to +the command of a hundred thousand horsemen. To oppose this force, +Khosrau appointed his young relative, Lohurasp, with eight thousand +horsemen, and passing through Sistan, desired Rustem, on account of +Lohurasp's tender age and inexperience, to afford him such good counsel +as he required. When Afrasiyab heard this, he added to the force of +Shydah another hundred thousand men, but first sent his son to +Kai-khosrau in the character of an ambassador to offer terms of peace. +"Tell him," said he, "that to secure this object, I will deliver to him +one of my sons as a hostage, and a number of troops for his service, +with the sacred promise never to depart from my engagements again.--But, +a word in thy ear, Shydah; if Khosrau is not disposed to accept these +terms, say, to prevent unnecessary bloodshed, he and I must personally +decide the day by single combat. If he refuses to fight with me, say +that thou wilt meet him; and shouldst thou be slain in the strife, I +will surrender to him the kingdom of Turan, and retire myself from the +world." He further commanded him to propound these terms with a gallant +and fearless bearing, and not to betray the least apprehension. Shydah +entered fully into the spirit of his father's instructions, and declared +that he would devote his life to the cause, that he would boldly before +the whole assembly dare Kai-khosrau to battle; so that Afrasiyab was +delighted with the valorous disposition he displayed. + +Kai-khosrau smiled when he heard of what Afrasiyab intended, and viewed +the proposal as a proof of his weakness. "But never," said he, "will I +consent to a peace till I have inflicted on him the death which Saiawush +was made to suffer." When Shydah arrived, and with proper ceremony and +respect had delivered his message, Kai-khosrau invited him to retire to +his chamber and go to rest, and he would send an answer by one of his +people. Shydah accordingly retired, and the king proceeded to consult +his warrior-friends on the offers that had been made. "Afrasiyab tells +me," said he, "that if I do not wish for peace, I must fight either him +or his son. I have seen Shydah--his eyes are red and blood-shot, and he +has a fierce expression of feature; if I do not accept his terms, I +shall probably soon have a dagger lodged in my breast." Saying this, he +ordered his mail to be got ready; but Rustem and all the great men about +him exclaimed, unanimously: "This must not be allowed; Afrasiyab is full +of fraud, artifice, and sorcery, and notoriously faithless to his +engagements. The sending of Shydah is all a trick, and his letter of +proposal all deceit: his object is simply to induce thee to fight him +alone. + + "If them shouldst kill this Shydah--what of that! + There would be one Turanian warrior less, + To vex the world withal; would that be triumph? + And to a Persian king? But if it chanced, + That thou shouldst meet with an untimely death, + By dart or javelin, at the stripling's hands, + What scathe and ruin would this realm befall!" + +By the advice of Rustem, Kai-khosrau gave Shydah permission +to depart, and said that he would send his answer to Afrasiyab by Karun. +"But," observed the youth, "I have come to fight thee!" which touched +the honor of the king, and he replied: "Be it so, let us then meet +to-morrow." + +In the meantime Khosrau prepared his letter to Afrasiyab, in which he +said:-- + + "Our quarrel now is dark to view, + It bears the fiercest, gloomiest hue; + And vain have speech and promise been + To change for peace the battle scene; + For thou art still to treachery prone, + Though gentle now in word and tone; + But that imperial crown thou wearest, + That mace which thou in battle bearest, + Thy kingdom, all, thou must resign; + Thy army too--for all are mine! + Thou talk'st of strength, and might, and power, + When revelling in a prosperous hour; + But know, that strength of nerve and limb + We owe to God--it comes from Him! + And victory's palm, and regal sway, + Alike the will of Heaven obey. + Hence thy lost throne, no longer thine, + Will soon, perfidious king! be mine!" + +In giving this letter to Karun, Kai-khosrau directed him, in the first +place, to deliver a message from him to Shydah, to the following +effect:-- + + "Driven art thou out from home and life, + Doomed to engage in mortal strife, + For deeply lours misfortune's cloud; + That gay attire will be thy shroud; + Blood from thy father's eyes will gush, + As Kaus wept for Saiawush." + +In the morning Khosrau went to the appointed place, and when he +approached Shydah, the latter said, "Thou hast come on foot, let our +trial be in wrestling;" and the proposal being agreed to, both applied +themselves fiercely to the encounter, at a distance from the troops. + + The youth appeared with joyous mien, + And bounding heart, for life was new; + By either host the strife was seen, + And strong and fierce the combat grew. + +Shydah exerted his utmost might, but was unable to move his antagonist +from the ground; whilst Khosrau lifted him up without difficulty, and, +dashing him on the plain, + + He sprang upon him as the lion fierce + Springs on the nimble gor, then quickly drew + His deadly dagger, and with cruel aim, + Thrust the keen weapon through the stripling's heart. + +Khosrau, immediately after slaying him, ordered the body to be washed +with musk and rose-water, and, after burial, a tomb to be raised to his +memory. + +When Karun reached the court of Afrasiyab with the answer to the offer +of peace, intelligence had previously arrived that Shydah had fallen in +the combat, which produced in the mind of the father the greatest +anguish. He gave no reply to Karun, but ordered the drums and trumpets +to be sounded, and instantly marched with a large army against the +enemy. The two hosts were soon engaged, the anger of the Turanians being +so much roused and sharpened by the death of the prince, that they were +utterly regardless of their lives. The battle, therefore, was fought +with unusual fury. + + Two sovereigns in the field, in desperate strife, + Each by a grievous cause of wrath, urged on + To glut revenge; this, for a father's life + Wantonly sacrificed; that for a son + Slain in his prime.--The carnage has begun, + And blood is seen to flow on every side; + Thousands are slaughtered ere the day is done, + And weltering swell the sanguinary tide; + And why? To soothe man's hate, his cruelty, and pride. + +The battle terminated in the discomfiture and defeat of the Turanians, +who fled from the conquerors in the utmost confusion. The people seized +hold of the bridle of Afrasiyab's horse, and obliged him to follow his +scattered army. + +Kai-khosrau having despatched an account of his victory to Kaus, went in +pursuit of Afrasiyab, traversing various countries and provinces, till +he arrived on the borders of Chin. The Khakan, or sovereign of that +state, became in consequence greatly alarmed, and presented to him large +presents to gain his favor, but the only object of Khosrau was to secure +Afrasiyab, and he told the ambassador that if his master dared to afford +him protection, he would lay waste the whole kingdom. The Khakan +therefore withdrew his hospitable services, and the abandoned king was +compelled to seek another place of refuge. + + + +THE DEATH OF AFRASIYAB + +Melancholy and afflicted, Afrasiyab penetrated through wood and desert, +and entered the province of Mikran, whither he was followed by +Kai-khosrau and his army. He then quitted Mikran, but his followers had +fallen off to a small number and to whatever country or region he +repaired for rest and protection, none was given, lest the vengeance of +Kai-khosrau should be hurled upon the offender. Still pursued and hunted +like a wild beast, and still flying from his enemies, the small retinue +which remained with him at last left him, and he was left alone, +dejected, destitute, and truly forlorn. In this state of desertion he +retired into a cave, where he hoped to continue undiscovered and unseen. + +It chanced, however, that a man named Hum, of the race of Feridun, dwelt +hard by. He was remarkable for his strength and bravery, but had +peacefully taken up his abode upon the neighboring mountain, and was +passing a religious life without any communication with the busy world. +His dwelling was a little way above the cave of Afrasiyab. One night he +heard a voice of lamentation below, and anxious to ascertain from whom +and whence it proceeded, he stole down to the spot and listened. The +mourner spoke in the Turkish language, and said:--"O king of Turan and +Chin, where is now thy pomp and power! How has Fortune cast away thy +throne and thy treasure to the winds?" Hearing these words Hum +conjectured that this must be Afrasiyab; and as he had suffered severely +from the tyranny of that monarch, his feelings of vengeance were +awakened, and he approached nearer to be certain that it was he. The +same lamentations were repeated, and he felt assured that it was +Afrasiyab himself. He waited patiently, however, till morning dawned, +and then he called out at the mouth of the cave:--"O, king of the world! +come out of thy cave, and obtain thy desires! I have left the invisible +sphere to accomplish thy wishes. Appear!" Afrasiyab thinking this a +spiritual call, went out of the cave and was instantly recognized by +Hum, who at the same moment struck him a severe blow on the forehead, +which felled him to the earth, and then secured his hands behind his +back. When the monarch found himself in fetters and powerless, he +complained of the cruelty inflicted upon him, and asked Hum why he had +treated a stranger in that manner. Hum replied: "How many a prince of +the race of Feridun hast thou sacrificed to thy ambition? How many a +heart hast thou broken? I, too, am one who was compelled to fly from thy +persecutions, and take refuge here on this desert mountain, and +constantly have I prayed for thy ruin that I might be released from this +miserable mode of existence, and be permitted to return to my paternal +home. My prayer has been heard at last, and God has delivered thee into +my hands. But how earnest thou hither, and by what strange vicissitudes +art thou thus placed before me?" Afrasiyab communicated to him the story +of his misfortunes, and begged of him rather to put him to death on the +spot than convey him to Kai-khosrau. But Hum was too much delighted with +having the tyrant under his feet to consider either his safety or his +feelings, and was not long in bringing him to the Persian king. +Kai-khosrau received the prisoner with exultation, and made Hum a +magnificent present. He well recollected the basin and the dagger used +in the murder of Saiawush, and commanded the presence of the treacherous +Gersiwaz, that he and Afrasiyab might suffer, in every respect, the same +fate together. The basin was brought, and the two victims were put to +death, like two goats, their heads being chopped off from their bodies. + +After this sanguinary catastrophe, Kai-khosrau returned to Iran, leaving +Rustem to proceed to his own principality. Kai-kaus quitted his palace, +according to his established custom, to welcome back the conqueror. He +kissed his head and face, and showered upon him praises and blessings +for the valor he had displayed, and the deeds he had done, and +especially for having so signally revenged the cruel murder of his +father Saiawush. + + + +THE DEATH OF KAI-KHOSRAU + +Kai-khosrau at last became inspired by an insurmountable attachment to a +religious life, and thought only of devotion to God. Thus influenced by +a disposition peculiar to ascetics, he abandoned the duties of +sovereignty, and committed all state affairs to the care of his +ministers. The chiefs and warriors remonstrated respectfully against +this mode of government, and trusted that he would devote only a few +hours in the day to the transactions of the kingdom, and the remainder +to prayer and religious exercises; but this he refused, saying:--"One +heart is not equal to both duties; my affections indeed are not for this +transitory world, and I trust to be an inhabitant of the world to come." +The nobles were in great sorrow at this declaration, and anxiously +applied to Zal and Rustem, in the hopes of working some change in the +king's disposition. On their arrival the people cried to them:-- + + "Some evil eye has smote the king;--Iblis + By wicked wiles has led his soul astray, + And withered all life's pleasures. O release + Our country from the sorrow, the dismay + Which darkens every heart:--his ruin stay. + Is it not mournful thus to see him cold + And gloomy, casting pomp and joy away? + Restore him to himself; let us behold + Again the victor-king, the generous, just and bold." + +Zal and Rustem went to the palace of the king in a melancholy mood, and +Khosrau having heard of their approach, enquired of them why they had +left Sistan. They replied that the news of his having relinquished all +concern in the affairs of the kingdom had induced them to wait upon him. +"I am weary of the troubles of this life," said he composedly, "and +anxious to prepare for a future state." "But death," observed Zal, "is a +great evil. It is dreadful to die!" Upon this the king said:--"I cannot +endure any longer the deceptions and the perfidy of mankind. My love of +heaven is so great that I cannot exist one moment without devotion and +prayer. Last night a mysterious voice whispered in my ear:--The time of +thy departure is nigh, prepare the load for thy journey, and neglect not +thy warning angel, or the opportunity will be lost." When Zal and Rustem +saw that Khosrau was resolved, and solemnly occupied in his devotions, +they were for some time silent. But Zal was at length moved, and +said:--"I will go into retirement and solitude with the king, and by +continual prayer, and through his blessing, I too may be forgiven." +"This, indeed," said the king, "is not the place for me. I must seek out +a solitary cell, and there resign my soul to heaven." Zal and Rustem +wept, and quitted the palace, and all the warriors were in the deepest +affliction. + +The next day Kai-khosrau left his apartment, and called together his +great men and warriors, and said to them:-- + + "That which I sought for, I have now obtained. + Nothing remains of worldly wish, or hope, + To disappoint or vex me. I resign + The pageantry of kings, and turn away + From all the pomp of the Kaianian throne, + Sated with human grandeur.--Now, farewell! + Such is my destiny. To those brave friends, + Who, ever faithful, have my power upheld, + I will discharge the duty of a king, + Paying the pleasing debt of gratitude." + +He then ordered his tents to be pitched in the desert, and opened his +treasury, and for seven days made a sumptuous feast, and distributed +food and money among the indigent, the widows, and orphans, and every +destitute person was abundantly supplied with the necessaries of life, +so that there was no one left in a state of want throughout the empire. +He also attended to the claims of his warriors. To Rustem he gave Zabul, +and Kabul, and Nim-ruz. He appointed Lohurasp, the son-in-law of +Kai-kaus, successor to his throne, and directed all his people to pay +the same allegiance to him as they had done to himself; and they +unanimously consented, declaring their firm attachment to his person and +government. He appointed Gudarz the chief minister, and Giw to the chief +command of the armies. To Tus he gave Khorassan; and he said to Friburz, +the son of Kaus:--"Be thou obedient, I beseech thee, to the commands of +Lohurasp, whom I have instructed, and brought up with paternal care; for +I know of no one so well qualified in the art of governing a kingdom." +The warriors of Iran were surprised, and murmured together, that the son +of Kai-kaus should be thus placed under the authority of Lohurasp. But +Zal observed to them:--"If it be the king's will, it is enough!" The +murmurs of the warriors having reached Kai-khosrau, he sent for them, +and addressed them thus:--"Friburz is well known to be unequal to the +functions of sovereignty; but Lohurasp is enlightened, and fully +comprehends all the duties of regal sway. He is a descendant of Husheng, +wise and merciful, and God is my witness, I think him perfectly +calculated to make a nation happy." Hearing this eulogium on the +character of the new king from Kai-khosrau, all the warriors expressed +their satisfaction, and anticipated a glorious reign. Khosrau further +said:--"I must now address you on another subject. In my dreams a +fountain has been pointed out to me; and when I visit that fountain, my +life will be resigned to its Creator." He then bid farewell to all the +people around him, and commenced his journey; and when he had +accomplished one stage he pitched his tent. Next day he resumed his +task, and took leave of Zal and Rustem; who wept bitterly as they parted +from him. + + "Alas!" they said, "that one on whom + Heaven has bestowed a mind so great, + A heart so brave, should seek the tomb, + And not his hour in patience wait. + The wise in wonder gaze, and say, + No mortal being ever trod + Before, the dim supernal way, + And living, saw the face of God!" + +After Zal and Rustem, then Khosrau took leave of Gudarz and Giw and Tus, +and Gustahem, but unwilling to go back, they continued with him. He soon +arrived at the promised fountain, in which he bathed. He then said to +his followers:--"Now is the time for our separation;--you must go;" +but they still remained. Again he said:--"You must go quickly; for +presently heavy showers of snow will fall, and a tempestuous wind will +arise, and you will perish in the storm." Saying this, he went into the +fountain, and vanished! + + And not a trace was left behind, + And not a dimple on the wave; + All sought, but sought in vain, to find + The spot which proved Kai-khosrau's grave! + +The king having disappeared in this extraordinary manner, a loud +lamentation ascended from his followers; and when the paroxysm of +amazement and sorrow had ceased, Friburz said:--"Let us now refresh +ourselves with food, and rest awhile." Accordingly those that remained +ate a little, and were soon afterwards overcome with sleep. Suddenly a +great wind arose, and the snow fell and clothed the earth in white, and +all the warriors and soldiers who accompanied Kai-khosrau to the +mysterious fountain, and amongst them Tus and Friburz, and Giw, were +while asleep overwhelmed in the drifts of snow. Not a man survived. +Gudarz had returned when about half-way on the road; and not hearing for +a long time any tidings of his companions, sent a person to ascertain +the cause of their delay. Upon proceeding to the fatal place, the +messenger, to his amazement and horror, found them all stiff and +lifeless under the snow! + + + +LOHURASP + +The reputation of Lohurasp was of the highest order, and it is said that +his administration of the affairs of his kingdom was more just and +paternal than even that of Kai-khosrau. "The counsel which Khosrau gave +me," said he, "was wise and admirable; but I find that I must go beyond +him in moderation and clemency to the poor." Lohurasp had four sons, two +by the daughter of Kai-kaus, one named Ardshir, and the other Shydasp; +and two by another woman, and they were named Gushtasp and Zarir. But +Gushtasp was intrepid, acute, and apparently marked out for sovereignty, +and on account of his independent conduct, no favorite with his father; +in defiance of whom, with a rebellious spirit, he collected together a +hundred thousand horsemen, and proceeded with them towards Hindustan of +his own accord. Lohurasp sent after him his brother Zarir, with a +thousand horsemen, in the hopes of influencing him to return; but when +Zarir overtook him and endeavored to persuade him not to proceed any +further, he said to him, with an animated look:-- + + "Proceed no farther!--Well thou know'st + We've no Kaianian blood to boast, + And, therefore, but a minor part + In Lohurasp's paternal heart. + Nor thou, nor I, can ever own + From him the diadem or throne. + The brothers of Kaus's race + By birth command the brightest place, + Then what remains for us? We must + To other means our fortunes trust. + We cannot linger here, and bear + A life of discontent--despair." + +Zarir, however, reasoned with him so winningly and effectually, that at +last he consented to return; but only upon the condition that he should +be nominated heir to the throne, and treated with becoming respect and +ceremony. Zarir agreed to interpose his efforts to this end, and brought +him back to his father; but it was soon apparent that Lohurasp had no +inclination to promote the elevation of Gushtasp in preference to the +claims of his other sons; and indeed shortly afterwards manifested to +what quarter his determination on this subject was directed. It was +indeed enough that his determination was unfavorable to the views of +Gushtasp, who now, in disgust, fled from his father's house, but without +any attendants, and shaped his course towards Rum. Lohurasp again sent +Zarir in quest of him; but the youth, after a tedious search, returned +without success. Upon his arrival in Rum, Gushtasp chose a solitary +retirement, where he remained some time, and was at length compelled by +poverty and want, to ask for employment in the establishment of the +sovereign of that country, stating that he was an accomplished scribe, +and wrote a beautiful hand. He was told to wait a few days, as at that +time there was no vacancy. But hunger was pressing, and he could not +suffer delay; he therefore went to the master of the camel-drivers and +asked for service, but he too had no vacancy. However, commiserating the +distressed condition of the applicant, he generously supplied him with a +hearty meal. After that, Gushtasp went into a blacksmith's shop, and +asked for work, and his services were accepted. The blacksmith put the +hammer into his hands, and the first blow he struck was given with such +force, that he broke the anvil to pieces. The blacksmith was amazed and +angry, and indignantly turned him out of his shop, uttering upon him a +thousand violent reproaches. + + Wounded in spirit, broken-hearted, + Misfortune darkening o'er his head, + To other lands he then departed, + To seek another home for bread. + +Disconsolate and wretched, he proceeded on his journey, and observing a +husbandman standing in a field of corn, he approached the spot and sat +down. The husbandman seeing a strong muscular youth, apparently a +Turanian, sitting in sorrow and tears, went up to him and asked him the +cause of his grief, and he soon became acquainted with all the +circumstances of the stranger's life. Pitying his distress, he took him +home and gave him some food. + +After having partaken sufficiently of the refreshments placed before +him, Gushtasp inquired of his host to what tribe he belonged, and from +whom he was descended. "I am descended from Feridun," rejoined he, "and +I belong to the Kaianian tribe. My occupation in this retired spot is, +as thou seest, the cultivation of the ground, and the customs and duties +of husbandry." Gushtasp said, "I am myself descended from Husheng, who +was the ancestor of Feridun; we are, therefore, of the same origin." In +consequence of this connection, Gushtasp and the husbandman lived +together on the most friendly footing for a considerable time. At length +the star of his fortune began to illumine his path, and the favor of +Heaven became manifest. + +It was the custom of the king of Rum, when his daughters came of age, to +give a splendid banquet, and to invite to it all the youths of +illustrious birth in the kingdom, in order that each might select one of +them most suited to her taste, for her future husband. His daughter +Kitabun was now of age, and in conformity with the established practice, +the feast was prepared, and the youths of royal descent invited; but it +so happened that not one of them was sufficiently attractive for her +choice, and the day passed over unprofitably. She had been told in a +dream that a youth of a certain figure and aspect had arrived in the +kingdom from Iran, and that to him she was destined to be married. But +there was not one at her father's banquet who answered to the +description of the man she had seen in her dream, and in consequence she +was disappointed. On the following day the feast was resumed. She had +again dreamt of the youth to whom she was to be united. She had +presented to him a bunch of roses, and he had given her a rose-branch, +and each regarded the other with smiles of mutual satisfaction. In the +morning Kitabun issued a proclamation, inviting all the young men of +royal extraction, whether natives of the kingdom or strangers, to her +father's feast. On that day Gushtasp and the husbandman had come into +the city from the country, and hearing the proclamation the latter said: +"Let us go, for in this lottery the prize may be drawn in thy name." +They accordingly went. Kitabun's handmaid was in waiting at the door, +and kept every young man standing awhile, that her mistress might mark +him well before she allowed him to pass into the banquet. The keen eyes +of Kitabun soon saw Gushtasp, and her heart instantly acknowledged him +as her promised lord, for he was the same person she had seen in her +dream. + + As near the graceful stripling drew, + She cried:--"My dream, my dream is true! + Fortune from visions of the night + Has brought him to my longing sight. + Truth has portrayed his form divine; + He lives--he lives--and he is mine!" + +She presently descended from her balcony, and gave him a bunch of roses, +the token by which her choice was made known, and then retired. The +king, when he heard of what she had done, was exceedingly irritated, +thinking that her affections were placed on a beggar, or some nameless +stranger of no birth or fortune, and his first impulse was to have her +put to death. But his people assembled around him, and said:--"What can +be the use of killing her?--It is in vain to resist the flood of +destiny, for what will be, will be. + + "The world itself is governed still by Fate, + Fate rules the warrior's and the monarch's state; + And woman's heart, the passions of her soul, + Own the same power, obey the same control; + For what can love's impetuous force restrain? + Blood may be shed, but what will be thy gain?" + +After this remonstrance he desired enquiries to be made into the +character and parentage of his proposed son-in-law, and was told his +name, the name of his father, and of his ancestors, and the causes which +led to his present condition. But he would not believe a word of the +narration. He was then informed of his daughter's dream, and other +particulars: and he so far relented as to sanction the marriage; but +indignantly drove her from his house, with her husband, without a dowry, +or any money to supply themselves with food. + +Gushtasp and his wife took refuge in a miserable cell, which they +inhabited, and when necessity pressed, he used to cross the river, and +bring in an elk or wild ass from the forest, give half of it to the +ferryman for his trouble, and keep the remainder for his own board, so +that he and the ferryman became great friends by these mutual +obligations. It is related that a person of distinction, named Mabrin, +solicited the king's second daughter in marriage; and Ahrun, another man +of rank, was anxious to be espoused to the third, or youngest; but the +king was unwilling to part with either of them, and openly declared his +sentiments to that effect. Mabrin, however, was most assiduous and +persevering in his attentions, and at last made some impression on the +father, who consented to permit the marriage of the second daughter, but +only on the following conditions: "There is," said he, "a monstrous wolf +in the neighboring forest, extremely ferocious, and destructive to my +property. I have frequently endeavored to hunt him down, but without +success. If Mabrin can destroy the animal, I will give him my daughter." +When these conditions were communicated to Mabrin, he considered it +impossible that they could be fulfilled, and looked upon the proposal as +an evasion of the question. One day, however, the ferryman having heard +of Mabrin's disappointment, told him that there was no reason to +despair, for he knew a young man, married to one of the king's +daughters, who crossed the river every day, and though only a +pedestrian, brought home regularly an elk-deer on his back. "He is +truly," added he, "a wonderful youth, and if you can by any means secure +his assistance, I have no doubt but that his activity and strength will +soon put an end to the wolfs depredations, by depriving him of life." + +This intelligence was received with great pleasure by Mabrin, who +hastened to Gushtasp, and described to him his situation, and the +conditions required. Gushtasp in reply said, that he would be glad to +accomplish for him the object of his desires, and at an appointed time +proceeded towards the forest, accompanied by Mabrin and the ferryman. +When the party arrived at the borders of the wilderness which the wolf +frequented, Gushtasp left his companions behind, and advanced alone into +the interior, where he soon found the dreadful monster, in size larger +than an elephant, and howling terribly, ready to spring upon him. But +the hand and eye of Gushtasp were too active to allow of his being +surprised, and in an instant he shot two arrows at once into the foaming +beast, which, irritated by the deep wound, now rushed furiously upon +him, without, however, doing him any serious injury; then with the +rapidity of lightning, Gushtasp drew his sharp sword, and with one +tremendous stroke cut the wolf in two, deluging the ground with bubbling +blood. Having performed this prodigious exploit, he called Mabrin and +the ferryman to see what he had done, and they were amazed at his +extraordinary intrepidity and muscular power, but requested, in order +that the special object of the lover might be obtained, that he would +conceal his name, for a time at least. Mabrin, satisfied on this point, +then repaired to the emperor, and claimed his promised bride, as the +reward for his labor. The king of Rum little expected this result, and +to assure himself of the truth of what he had heard, bent his way to the +forest, where he was convinced, seeing with astonishment and delight +that the wolf was really killed. He had now no further pretext, and +therefore fulfilled his engagement, by giving his daughter to Mabrin. + +It was now Ahrun's turn to repeat his solicitations for the youngest +daughter. The king of Rum had another evil to root out, so that he was +prepared to propose another condition. This was to destroy a hideous +dragon that had taken possession of a neighboring mountain. Ahrun, on +hearing the condition was in as deep distress as Mabrin had been, until +he accidentally became acquainted with the ferryman, who described to +him the generosity and fearless bravery of Gushtasp. He immediately +applied to him, and the youth readily undertook the enterprise, +saying:--"No doubt the monster's teeth are long and sharp, bring me +therefore a dagger, and fasten round it a number of knives." Ahrun did +so accordingly, and Gushtasp proceeded to the mountain. As soon as the +dragon smelt the approach of a human being, flames issued from his +nostrils, and he darted forward to devour the intruder, but was driven +back by a number of arrows, rapidly discharged into his head and mouth. +Again he advanced, but Gushtasp dodged round him, and continued driving +arrows into him to the extent of forty, which subdued his strength, and +made him writhe in agony. He then fixed the dagger, which was armed at +right angles with knives, upon his spear, and going nearer, thrust it +down his gasping throat. + + Dreadful the weapon each two-edged blade + Cut deep into the jaws on either side, + And the fierce monster, thinking to dislodge it, + Crushed it between his teeth with all his strength, + Which pressed it deeper in the flesh, when blood + And poison issued from the gaping wounds; + Then, as he floundered on the earth exhausted, + Seizing the fragment of a flinty rock, + Gushtasp beat out the brains, and soon the beast + In terrible struggles died. Two deadly fangs + Then wrenched he from the jaws, to testify + The wonderful exploit he had performed. + +When he descended from the mountain, these two teeth were delivered to +Ahrun, and they were afterwards conveyed to the king, who could not +believe his own eyes, but ascended the mountain himself to ascertain the +fact, and there he beheld with amazement the dragon lifeless, and +covered with blood. "And didst thou thyself kill this terrific dragon?" +said he. "Yes," replied Ahrun. "And wilt thou swear to God that this is +thy own achievement? It must be either the exploit of a demon, or of a +certain Kaianian, who resides in this neighborhood." But there was no +one to disprove his assertion, and therefore the king could no longer +refuse to surrender to him his youngest daughter. + +And now between Gushtasp, and Mabrin, and Ahrun, the warmest friendship +subsisted. Indeed they were seldom parted; and the three sisters +remained together with equal affection. One day Kitabun, the wife of +Gushtasp, in conversation with some of her female acquaintance, let out +the secret that her husband was the person who killed the wolf and the +dragon. + +No sooner was this story told, than it spread, and in the end reached +the ears of the queen, who immediately communicated it to the king, +saying:--"This is the work of Gushtasp, thy son-in-law, of him thou hast +banished from thy presence--of him who nobly would not disclose his +name, before Mabrin and Ahrun had attained the object of their wishes." +The king said in reply that it was just as he had suspected; and sending +for Gushtasp, conferred upon him great honor, and appointed him to the +chief command of his army. + +Having thus possessed himself of a leader of such skill and intrepidity, +he thought it necessary to turn his attention to external conquest, and +accordingly addressed a letter to Alias, the ruler of Khuz, in which he +said:--"Thou hast hitherto enjoyed thy kingdom in peace and +tranquillity; but thou must now resign it to me, or prepare for war." +Alias on receiving this imperious and haughty menace collected his +forces together, and advanced to the contest, and the king of Rum +assembled his own troops with equal expedition, under the direction of +Gushtasp. The battle was fought with great valor on both sides, and +blood flowed in torrents. Gushtasp challenged Alias to single combat, +and the warriors met; but in a short time the enemy was thrown from his +horse, and dragged by the young conqueror, in fetters, before the king. +The troops witnessing the prowess of Gushtasp, quickly fled; and the +king commencing a hot pursuit, soon entered their city victoriously, +subdued the whole kingdom, and plundered it of all its property and +wealth. He also gained over the army, and with this powerful addition to +his own forces, and with the booty he had secured, returned triumphantly +to Rum. + +In consequence of this brilliant success, the king conferred additional +honors on Gushtasp, who now began to display the ambition which he had +long cherished. Aspiring to the sovereignty of Iran, he spoke to the +Rumi warriors on the subject of an invasion of that country, but they +refused to enter into his schemes, conceiving that there was no chance +of success. At this Gushtasp took fire, and declared that he knew the +power and resources of his father perfectly, and that the conquest would +be attended with no difficulty. He then went to the king, and said: "Thy +chiefs are afraid to fight against Lohurasp; I will myself undertake the +task with even an inconsiderable army." The king was overjoyed, and +kissed his head and face, and loaded him with presents, and ordered his +secretary to write to Lohurasp in the following terms: "I am anxious to +meet thee in battle, but if thou art not disposed to fight, I will +permit thee to remain at peace, on condition of surrendering to me half +thy kingdom. Should this be refused, I will myself deprive thee of thy +whole sovereignty." When this letter was conveyed by the hands of Kabus +to Iran, Lohurasp, upon reading it, was moved to laughter, and +exclaimed, "What is all this? The king of Rum has happened to obtain +possession of the little kingdom of Khuz, and he has become insane with +pride!" He then asked Kabus by what means he accomplished the capture of +Khuz, and how he managed to kill Alias. The messenger replied, that his +success was owing to a youth of noble aspect and invincible courage, who +had first destroyed a ferocious wolf, then a dragon, and had afterwards +dragged Alias from his horse, with as much ease as if he had been a +chicken, and laid him prostrate at the feet of the king of Rum. Lohurasp +enquired his name, and he answered, Gushtasp. "Does he resemble in +feature any person in this assembly?" Kabus looked round about him, and +pointed to Zarir, from which Lohurasp concluded that it must be his own +son, and sat silent. But he soon determined on what answer to send, and +it was contained in the following words: "Do not take me for an Alias, +nor think that one hero of thine is competent to oppose me. I have a +hundred equal to him. Continue, therefore, to pay me tribute, or I will +lay waste thy whole country." With this letter he dismissed Kabus; and +as soon as the messenger had departed, addressed himself to Zarir, +saying: "Thou must go in the character of an ambassador from me to the +king of Rum, and represent to him the justice and propriety of +preserving peace. After thy conference with him repair to the house of +Gushtasp, and in my name ask his forgiveness for what I have done. I was +not before aware of his merit, and day and night I think of him with +repentance and sorrow. Tell him to pardon his old father's infirmities, +and come back to Iran, to his own country and home, that I may resign to +him my crown and throne, and like Kai-khosrau, take leave of the world. +It is my desire to deliver myself up to prayer and devotion, and to +appoint Gushtasp my successor, for he appears to be eminently worthy of +that honor." Zarir acted scrupulously, in conformity with his +instructions; and having first had an interview with the king, hastened +to the house of his brother, by whom he was received with affection and +gladness. After the usual interchange of congratulations and enquiry, he +stated to him the views and the resolutions of his father, who on the +faith of his royal word promised to appoint him his successor, and +thought of him with the most cordial attachment. Gushtasp was as much +astonished as delighted with this information, and his anxiety being +great to return to his own country, he that very night, accompanied by +his wife Kitabun, and Zarir, set out for Iran. Approaching the city, he +was met by an istakbal, or honorary deputation of warriors, sent by the +king; and when he arrived at court, Lohurasp descended from his throne +and embraced him with paternal affection, shedding tears of contrition +for having previously treated him not only with neglect but severity. +However he now made him ample atonement, and ordering a golden chair of +royalty to be constructed and placed close to his own, they both sat +together, and the people by command tendered to him unanimously their +respect and allegiance. Lohurasp repeatedly said to him:-- + + "What has been done was Fate's decree, + Man cannot strive with destiny. + To be unfeeling once was mine, + At length to be a sovereign thine." + + Thus spoke the king, and kissed the crown, + And gave it to his valiant son. + +Soon afterwards he relinquished all authority in the empire, assumed the +coarse habit of a recluse, retired to a celebrated place of pilgrimage, +near Balkh. There, in a solitary cell, he devoted the remainder of his +life to prayer and the worship of God. The period of Lohurasp's +government lasted one hundred and twenty years. + + + +GUSHTASP, AND THE FAITH OF ZERDUSHT + + I've said preceding sovereigns worshipped God, + By whom their crowns were given to protect + The people from oppressors; Him they served, + Acknowledging His goodness--for to Him, + The pure, unchangeable, the Holy One! + They owed their greatness and their earthly power. + But after times produced idolatry, + And Pagan faith, and then His name was lost + In adoration of created things. + +Gushtasp had by his wife Kitabun, the daughter of the king of Rum, two +sons named Isfendiyar and Bashutan, who were remarkable for their piety +and devotion to the Almighty. Being the great king, all the minor +sovereigns paid him tribute, excepting Arjasp, the ruler of Chin and +Ma-chin, whose army consisted of Diws, and Peris, and men; for +considering him of superior importance, he sent him yearly the usual +tributary present. In those days lived Zerdusht, the Guber, who was +highly accomplished in the knowledge of divine things; and having waited +upon Gushtasp, the king became greatly pleased with his learning and +piety, and took him into his confidence. The philosopher explained to +him the doctrines of the fire-worshippers, and by his art he reared a +tree before the house of Gushtasp, beautiful in its foliage and +branches, and whoever ate of the leaves of that tree became learned and +accomplished in the mysteries of the future world, and those who ate of +the fruit thereof became perfect in wisdom and holiness. + +In consequence of the illness of Lohurasp, who was nearly at the point +of death, Zerdusht went to Balkh for the purpose of administering relief +to him, and he happily succeeded in restoring him to health. On his +return he was received with additional favor by Gushtasp, who +immediately afterwards became his disciple. Zerdusht then told him that +he was the prophet of God, and promised to show him miracles. He said he +had been to heaven and to hell. He could send anyone, by prayer, to +heaven; and whomsoever he was angry with he could send to hell. He had +seen the seven mansions of the celestial regions, and the thrones of +sapphires, and all the secrets of heaven were made known to him by his +attendant angel. He said that the sacred book, called Zendavesta, +descended from above expressly for him, and that if Gushtasp followed +the precepts in that blessed volume, he would attain celestial felicity. +Gushtasp readily became a convert to his principles, forsaking the pure +adoration of God for the religion of the fire-worshippers. + +The philosopher further said that he had prepared a ladder, by which he +had ascended into heaven and had seen the Almighty. This made the +disciple still more obedient to Zerdusht. One day he asked Gushtasp why +he condescended to pay tribute to Arjasp; "God is on thy side," said he, +"and if thou desirest an extension of territory, the whole country of +Chin may be easily conquered." Gushtasp felt ashamed at this reproof, +and to restore his character, sent a dispatch to Arjasp, in which he +said, "Former kings who paid thee tribute did so from terror only, but +now the empire is mine; and it is my will, and I have the power, to +resist the payment of it in future." This letter gave great offence to +Arjasp; who at once suspected that the fire-worshipper, Zerdusht, had +poisoned his mind, and seduced him from his pure and ancient religion, +and was attempting to circumvent and lead him to his ruin. He answered +him thus: "It is well known that thou hast now forsaken the right path, +and involved thyself in darkness. Thou hast chosen a guide possessed of +the attributes of Iblis, who with the art of a magician has seduced thee +from the worship of the true God, from that God who gave thee thy +kingdom and thy grandeur. Thy father feared God, and became a holy +Dirvesh, whilst thou hast lost thy way in wickedness and impiety. It +will therefore be a meritorious action in me to vindicate the true +worship and oppose thy blasphemous career with all my demons. In a month +or two I will enter thy kingdom with fire and sword, and destroy thy +authority and thee. I would give thee good advice; do not be influenced +by a wicked counsellor, but return to thy former religious practices. +Weigh well, therefore, what I say." Arjasp sent this letter by two of +his demons, familiar with sorcery; and when it was delivered into the +hands of Gushtasp, a council was held to consider its contents, to which +Zerdusht was immediately summoned. Jamasp, the minister, said that the +subject required deep thought, and great prudence was necessary in +framing a reply; but Zerdusht observed, that the only reply was +obvious--nothing but war could be thought of. At this moment Isfendiyar +gallantly offered to lead the army, but Zarir, his uncle, objected to +him on account of his extreme youth, and proposed to take the command +himself, which Gushtasp agreed to, and the two demon-envoys were +dismissed. The answer was briefly as follows:-- + + "Thy boast is that thou wilt in two short months + Ravage my country, scathe with fire and sword + The empire of Iran; but on thyself + Heap not destruction; pause before thy pride + Hurries thee to thy ruin. I will open + The countless treasures of the realm; my warriors, + A thousand thousand, armed with shining steel, + Shall overrun thy kingdom; I myself + Will crush that head of thine beneath my feet." + +The result of these menaces was the immediate prosecution of the war, +and no time was lost by Arjasp in hastening into Iran. + + Plunder and devastation marked his course, + The villages were all involved in flames, + Palace of pride, low cot, and lofty tower; + The trees dug up, and root and branch destroyed. + Gushtasp then hastened to repel his foes; + But to his legions they seemed wild and strange, + And terrible in aspect, and no light + Could struggle through the gloom they had diffused, + To hide their progress. + +Zerdusht said to Gushtasp, "Ask thy vizir, Jamasp, what is written in +thy horoscope, that he may relate to thee the dispensations of heaven." +Jamasp, in reply to the inquiry, took the king aside and whispered +softly to him: "A great number of thy brethren, thy relations, and +warriors will be slain in the conflict, but in the end thou wilt be +victorious." Gushtasp deeply lamented the coming event, which involved +the destruction of his kinsmen, but did not shrink from the battle, for +he exulted in the anticipation of obtaining the victory. The contest was +begun with indescribable eagerness and impetuosity. + + Approaching, each a prayer addrest + To Heaven, and thundering forward prest; + Thick showers of arrows gloomed the sky, + The battle-storm raged long and high; + Above, black clouds their darkness spread, + Below, the earth with blood was red. + +Ardshir, the son of Lohurasp, and descended from Kai-kaus, was one of +the first to engage; he killed many, and was at last killed himself. +After him, his brother Shydasp was killed. Then Bishu, the son of +Jamasp, urged on his steed, and with consummate bravery destroyed a +great number of warriors. Zarir, equally bold and intrepid, also rushed +amidst the host, and whether demons or men opposed him, they were all +laid lifeless on the field. He then rode up towards Arjasp, scattered +the ranks, and penetrated the headquarters, which put the king into +great alarm: for he exclaimed:--"What, have ye no courage, no shame! +whoever kills Zarir shall have a magnificent reward." Bai-derafsh, one +of the demons, animated by this offer, came forward, and with +remorseless fury attacked Zarir. The onset was irresistible, and the +young prince was soon overthrown and bathed in his own blood. The news +of the unfortunate catastrophe deeply affected Gushtasp, who cried, in +great grief: "Is there no one to take vengeance for this?" when +Isfendiyar presented himself, kissed the ground before his father, and +anxiously asked permission to engage the demon. Gushtasp assented, and +told him that if he killed the demon and defeated the enemy, he would +surrender to him his crown and throne. + + "When we from this destructive field return, + Isfendiyar, my son, shall wear the crown, + And be the glorious leader of my armies." + +Saying this, he dismounted from his famous black horse, called Behzad, +the gift of Kai-khosrau, and presented it to Isfendiyar. The greatest +clamor and lamentation had arisen among the Persian army, for they +thought that Bai-derafsh had committed such dreadful slaughter, the +moment of utter defeat was at hand, when Isfendiyar galloped forward, +mounted on Behzad, and turned the fortunes of the day. He saw the demon +with the mail of Zarir on his breast, foaming at the mouth with rage, +and called aloud to him, "Stand, thou murderer!" The stern voice, the +valor, and majesty of Isfendiyar, made the demon tremble, but he +immediately discharged a blow with his dagger at his new opponent, who +however seized the weapon with his left hand, and with his right plunged +a spear into the monster's breast, and drove it through his body. +Isfendiyar then cut off his head, remounted his horse, and that instant +was by the side of Bishu, the son of the vizir, into whose charge he +gave the severed head of Bai-derafsh, and the armor of Zarir. Bishu now +attired himself in his father's mail, and fastening the head on his +horse, declared that he would take his post close by Isfendiyar, +whatever might betide. Firshaid, another Iranian warrior, came to the +spot at the same moment, and expressed the same resolution, so that all +three, thus accidentally met, determined to encounter Arjasp and capture +him. Isfendiyar led the way, and the other two followed. Arjasp, seeing +that he was singled out by three warriors, and that the enemy's force +was also advancing to the attack in great numbers, gave up the struggle, +and was the first to retreat. His troops soon threw away their arms and +begged for quarter, and many of them were taken prisoners by the +Iranians. Gushtasp now approached the dead body of Zarir, and lamenting +deeply over his unhappy fate, placed him in a coffin, and built over him +a lofty monument, around which lights were ever afterwards kept burning, +night and day; and he also taught the people the worship of fire, and +was anxious to establish everywhere the religion of Zerdusht. + +Jamasp appointed officers to ascertain the number of killed in the +battle. Of Iranians there were thirty thousand, among whom were eight +hundred chiefs; and the enemy's loss amounted to nine hundred thousand, +and also eleven hundred and sixty-three chiefs. Gushtasp rejoiced at the +glorious result, and ordered the drums to be sounded to celebrate the +victory, and he increased his favor upon Zerdusht, who originated the +war, and told him to call his triumphant son, Isfendiyar, near him. + + The gallant youth the summons hears, + And midst the royal court appears, + Close by his father's side, + The mace, cow-headed, in his hand; + His air and glance express command, + And military pride. + + Gushtasp beholds with heart elate. + The conqueror so young, so great, + And places round his brows the crown, + The promised crown, the high reward, + Proud token of a mighty king's regard, + Conferred upon his own. + +After Gushtasp had crowned his son as his successor, he told him that he +must not now waste his time in peace and private gratification, but +proceed to the conquest of other countries. Zerdusht was also deeply +interested in his further operations, and recommended him to subdue +kingdoms for the purpose of diffusing everywhere the new religion, that +the whole world might be enlightened and edified. Isfendiyar instantly +complied, and the first kingdom he invaded was Rum. The sovereign of +that country having no power nor means to resist the incursions of the +enemy, readily adopted the faith of Zerdusht, and accepted the sacred +book named Zendavesta, as his spiritual instructor. Isfendiyar +afterwards invaded Hindustan and Arabia, and several other countries, +and successfully established the religion of the fire-worshippers in +them all. + + Where'er he went he was received + With welcome, all the world believed, + And all with grateful feelings took + The Holy Zendavesta-book, + Proud their new worship to declare, + The worship of Isfendiyar. + +The young conqueror communicated by letters to his father the success +with which he had disseminated the religion of Zerdusht, and requested +to know what other enterprises required his aid. Gushtasp rejoiced +exceedingly, and commanded a grand banquet to be prepared. It happened +that Gurzam a warrior, was particularly befriended by the king, but +retaining secretly in his heart a bitter enmity to Isfendiyar, now took +an opportunity to gratify his malice, and privately told Gushtasp that +he had heard something highly atrocious in the disposition of the +prince. Gushtasp was anxious to know what it was; and he said, +"Isfendiyar has subdued almost every country in the world: he is a +dangerous person at the head of an immense army, and at this very moment +meditates taking Balkh, and making even thee his prisoner! + + "Thou know'st not that thy son Isfendiyar + Is hated by the army. It is said + Ambition fires his brain, and to secure + The empire to himself, his wicked aim + Is to rebel against his generous father. + This is the sum of my intelligence; + But thou'rt the king, I speak but what I hear." + +These malicious accusations by Gurzam insidiously made, produced great +vexation in the mind of Gushtasp. The banquet went on, and for three +days he drank wine incessantly, without sleep or rest because his sorrow +was extreme. On the fourth day he said to his minister: "Go with this +letter to Isfendiyar, and accompany him hither to me." Jamasp, the +minister, went accordingly on the mission, and when he arrived, the +prince said to him, "I have dreamt that my father is angry with +me."--"Then thy dream is true," replied Jamasp, "thy father is indeed +angry with thee."--"What crime, what fault have I committed? + + "Is it because I have with ceaseless toil + Spread wide the Zendavesta, and converted + Whole kingdoms to that faith? Is it because + For him I conquered those far-distant kingdoms, + With this good sword of mine? Why clouds his brow + Upon his son--some demon must have changed + His temper, once affectionate and kind, + Calling me to him thus in anger! Thou + Hast ever been my friend, my valued friend + Say, must I go? Thy counsel I require." + + "The son does wrong who disobeys his father, + Despising his command," Jamasp replied. + + "Yet," said Isfendiyar, "why should I go? + He is in wrath, it cannot be for good." + + "Know'st thou not that a father's wrath is kindness? + The anger of a father to his child + Is far more precious than the love and fondness + Felt by that child for him. 'Tis good to go, + Whatever the result, he is the king, + And more--he is thy father!" + +Isfendiyar immediately consented, and appointed Bahman, his eldest son, +to fill his place in the army during his absence. He had four sons: the +name of the second was Mihrbus; of the third, Avir; and of the fourth, +Nushahder; and these three he took along with him on his journey. + +Before he had arrived at Balkh, Gushtasp had concerted measures to +secure him as a prisoner, with an appearance of justice and +impartiality. On his arrival, he waited on the king respectfully, and +was thus received: "Thou hast become the great king! Thou hast conquered +many countries, but why am I unworthy in thy sight? Thy ambition is +indeed excessive." Isfendiyar replied: "However great I may be, I am +still thy servant, and wholly at thy command." Upon hearing this, +Gushtasp turned towards his courtiers, and said, "What ought to be done +with that son, who in the lifetime of his father usurps his authority, +and even attempts to eclipse him in grandeur? What! I ask, should be +done with such a son!" + + "Such a son should either be + Broken on the felon tree, + Or in prison bound with chains, + Whilst his wicked life remains, + Else thyself, this kingdom, all + Will be ruined by his thrall!" + +To this heavy denunciation Isfendiyar replied: "I have received all my +honors from the king, by whom I am appointed to succeed to the throne; +but at his pleasure I willingly resign them." However, concession and +remonstrance were equally fruitless, and he was straightway ordered to +be confined in the tower-prison of the fort situated on the adjacent +mountain, and secured with chains. + + Dreadful the sentence: all who saw him wept; + And sternly they conveyed him to the tower, + Where to four columns, deeply fixed in earth, + And reaching to the skies, of iron formed, + They bound him; merciless they were to him + Who had given splendour to a mighty throne. + Mournful vicissitude! Thus pain and pleasure + Successive charm and tear the heart of man; + And many a day in that drear solitude, + He lingered, shedding tears of blood, till times + Of happier omen dawned upon his fortunes. + +Having thus made Isfendiyar secure in the mountain-prison, and being +entirely at ease about the internal safety of the empire, Gushtasp was +anxious to pay a visit to Zal and Rustem at Sistan, and to convert them +to the religion of Zerdusht. On his approach to Sistan he was met and +respectfully welcomed by Rustem. who afterwards in open assembly +received the Zendavesta and adopted the new faith, which he propagated +throughout his own territory; but, according to common report it was +fear of Gushtasp alone which induced him to pursue this course. Gushtasp +remained two years his guest, enjoying all kinds of recreation, and +particularly the sports of the field and the forests. + +When Bahman, the son of Isfendiyar, heard of the imprisonment of his +father, he, in grief and alarm, abandoned his trust, dismissed the army, +and proceeded to Balkh, where he joined his two brothers, and wept over +the fate of their unhappy father. + +In the meantime the news of the confinement of Isfendiyar, and the +absence of Gushtasp at Sistan, and the unprotected state of Balkh, +stimulated Arjasp to a further effort, and he despatched his son Kahram +with a large army towards the capital of the enemy, to carry into effect +his purpose of revenge. Lohurasp was still in religious retirement at +Balkh. The people were under great apprehension, and being without a +leader, anxiously solicited the old king to command them, but he said +that he had abandoned all earthly concerns, and had devoted himself to +God, and therefore could not comply with their entreaties. But they +would hear no denial, and, as it were, tore him from his place of refuge +and prayer. There were assembled only about one thousand horsemen, and +with these he advanced to battle; but what were they compared to the +hundred thousand whom they met, and by whom they were soon surrounded. +Their bravery was useless. They were at once overpowered and defeated, +and Lohurasp himself was unfortunately among the slain. + +Upon the achievement of his victory, Kahram entered Balkh in triumph, +made the people prisoners, and destroyed all the places of worship +belonging to the Gubers. He also killed the keeper of the altar, and +burnt the Zendavesta, which contained the formulary of their doctrines +and belief. + +One of the women of Gushtasp's household happened to elude the grasp of +the invader, and hastened to Sistan to inform the king of the disaster +that had occurred. "Thy father is killed, the city is taken, and thy +women and daughters in the power of the conqueror." Gushtasp received +the news with consternation, and prepared with the utmost expedition for +his departure. He invited Rustem to accompany him, but the champion +excused himself at the time, and afterwards declined altogether on the +plea of sickness. Before he had yet arrived at Balkh, Kahram hearing of +his approach, went out to meet him with his whole army, and was joined +on the same day by Arjasp and his demon-legions. + + Great was the uproar, loud the brazen drums + And trumpets rung, the earth shook, and seemed rent + By that tremendous conflict, javelins flew + Like hail on every side, and the warm blood + Streamed from the wounded and the dying men. + The claim of kindred did not check the arm + Lifted in battle--mercy there was none, + For all resigned themselves to chance or fate, + Or what the ruling Heavens might decree. + +At last the battle terminated in the defeat of Gushtasp, who was pursued +till he was obliged to take refuge in a mountain-fort. He again +consulted Jamasp to know what the stars foretold, and Jamasp replied +that he would recover from the defeat through the exertions of +Isfendiyar alone. Pleased with this interpretation, he on that very day +sent Jamasp to the prison with a letter to Isfendiyar, in which he hoped +to be pardoned for the cruelty he had been guilty of towards him, in +consequence, he said, of being deceived by the arts and treachery of +those who were only anxious to effect his ruin. He declared too that he +would put those enemies to death in his presence, and replace the royal +crown upon his head. At the same time he confined in chains Gurzam, the +wretch who first practised upon his feelings. Jamasp rode immediately to +the prison, and delivering the letter, urged the prince to comply with +his father's entreaties, but Isfendiyar was incredulous and not so +easily to be moved. + + "Has he not at heart disdained me? + Has he not in prison chained me? + Am I not his son, that he + Treats me ignominiously? + + "Why should Gurzam's scorn and hate + Rouse a loving father's wrath? + Why should he, the foul ingrate, + Cast destruction in my path?" + +Jamasp, however, persevered in his anxious solicitations, describing to +him how many of his brethren and kindred had fallen, and also the +perilous situation of his own father if he refused his assistance. By a +thousand various efforts he at length effected his purpose, and the +blacksmith was called to take off his chains; but in removing them, the +anguish of the wounds they had inflicted was so great that Isfendiyar +fainted away. Upon his recovery he was escorted to the presence of his +father, who received him with open arms, and the strongest expressions +of delight. He begged to be forgiven for his unnatural conduct to him, +again resigned to him the throne of the empire, and appointed him to the +command of the imperial armies. He then directed Gurzam, upon whose +malicious counsel he had acted, to be brought before him, and the wicked +minister was punished with death on the spot, and in the presence of the +injured prince. + + Wretch! more relentless even than wolf or pard, + Thou hast at length received thy just reward! + +When Arjasp heard that Isfendiyar had been reconciled to his father, and +was approaching at the head of an immense army, he was affected with the +deepest concern, and forthwith sent his son Kahram to endeavor to resist +the progress of the enemy. At the same time Kurugsar, a gladiator of the +demon race, requested that he might be allowed to oppose Isfendiyar; and +permission being granted, he was the very first on the field, where +instantly wielding his bow, he shot an arrow at Isfendiyar, which +pierced through the mail, but fortunately for him did no serious harm. +The prince drew his sword with the intention of attacking him, but +seeing him furious with rage, and being doubtful of the issue, thought +it more prudent and safe to try his success with the noose. Accordingly +he took the kamund from his saddle-strap, and dexterously flung it round +the neck of his arrogant foe, who was pulled headlong from his horse: +and, as soon as his arms were bound behind his back, dragged a prisoner +in front of the Persian ranks. Isfendiyar then returned to the battle, +attacked a body of the enemy's auxiliaries, killed a hundred and sixty +of their warriors, and made the division of which Kahram was the leader +fly in all directions. His next feat was to attack another force, which +had confederated against him. + + With slackened rein he galloped o'er the field; + Blood gushed from every stroke of his sharp sword, + And reddened all the plain; a hundred warriors + Eighty and five, in treasure rich and mail, + Sunk underneath him, such his mighty power. + +His remaining object was to assail the centre, where Arjasp himself was +stationed; and thither he rapidly hastened. Arjasp, angry and alarmed at +this success, cried out, "What! is one man allowed to scathe all my +ranks, cannot my whole army put an end to his dreadful career?" The +soldiers replied, "No! he has a body of brass, and the vigor of an +elephant: our swords make no impression upon him, whilst with his sword +he can cut the body of a warrior, cased in mail, in two, with the +greatest ease. Against such a foe, what can we do?" Isfendiyar rushed +on; and after an overwhelming attack, Arjasp was compelled to quit his +ground and effect his escape. The Iranian troops were then ordered to +pursue the fugitives, and in revenge for the death of Lohurasp, not to +leave a man alive. The carnage was in consequence terrible, and the +remaining Turanians were in such despair that they flung themselves from +their exhausted horses, and placing straw in their mouths to show the +extremity of their misfortune, called aloud for quarter. Isfendiyar was +moved at last to compassion, and put an end to the fight; and when he +came before Gushtasp, the mail on his body, from the number of arrows +sticking in it, looked like a field of reeds; about a thousand arrows +were taken out of its folds. Gushtasp kissed his head and face, and +blessed him, and prepared a grand banquet, and the city of Balkh +resounded with rejoicings on account of the great victory. + +Many days had not elapsed before a further enterprise was to be +undertaken. The sisters of Isfendiyar were still in confinement, and +required to be released. The prince readily complied with the wishes of +Gushtasp, who now repeated to him his desire to relinquish the cares of +sovereignty, and place the reins of government in his hands, that he +might devote himself entirely to the service of God. + + "To thee I yield the crown and throne, + Fit to be held by thee alone; + From worldly care and trouble free, + A hermit's cell is enough for me," + +But Isfendiyar replied, that he had no desire to be possessed of the +power; he rather wished for the prosperity of the king, and no change. + + "O, may thy life be long and blessed, + And ever by the good caressed; + For 'tis my duty still to be + Devoted faithfully to thee! + I want no throne, nor diadem; + My soul has no delight in them. + I only seek to give thee joy, + And gloriously my sword employ. + I thirst for vengeance on Arjasp: + To crush him in my iron grasp, + That from his thrall I may restore + My sisters to their home again, + Who now their heavy fate deplore, + And toiling drag a slavish chain." + "Then go!" the smiling monarch said, + Invoking blessings on his head, + "And may kind Heaven thy refuge be, + And lead thee on to victory." + +Isfendiyar now told his father that his prisoner Kurugsar was +continually requesting him to represent his condition in the royal ear, +saying, "Of what use will it be to put me to death? No benefit can arise +from such a punishment. Spare my life, and you will see how largely I am +able to contribute to your assistance." Gushtasp expressed his +willingness to be merciful, but demanded a guarantee on oath from the +petitioner that he would heart and soul be true and faithful to his +benefactor. The oath was sworn, after which his bonds were taken from +his hands and feet, and he was set at liberty. The king then called him, +and pressed him with goblets of wine, which made him merry. "I have +pardoned thee," said Gushtasp, "at the special entreaty of +Isfendiyar--be grateful to him, and be attentive to his commands." After +that, Isfendiyar took and conveyed him to his own house, that he might +have an opportunity of experiencing and proving the promised fidelity of +his new ally. + + + +THE HEFT-KHAN OF ISFENDIYAR + + Rustem had seven great labours, wondrous power + Nerved his strong arm in danger's needful hour; + And now Firdusi's legend-strains declare + The seven great labours of Isfendiyar. + +The prince, who had determined to undertake the new expedition, and +appeared confident of success, now addressed himself to Kurugsar, and +said, "If I conquer the kingdom of Arjasp, and restore my sisters to +liberty, thou shalt have for thyself any principality thou may'st choose +within the boundaries of Iran and Turan, and thy name shall be exalted; +but beware of treachery or fraud, for falsehood shall certainly be +punished with death." To this Kurugsar replied, "I have already sworn a +solemn oath to the king, and at thy intercession he has spared my +life--why then should I depart from the truth, and betray my +benefactor?" + +"Then tell me the road to the brazen fortress, and how far it is distant +from this place?" said Isfendiyar. + +"There are three different routes," replied Kurugsar. "One will occupy +three months; it leads through a beautiful country, adorned with cities, +and gardens, and pastures, and is pleasant to the traveller. The second +is less attractive, the prospects less agreeable, and will only employ +two months; the third, however, may be accomplished in seven days, and +is thence called the Heft-khan, or seven stages; but at every stage some +monster, or terrible difficulty, must be overcome. No monarch, even +supported by a large army, has ever yet ventured to proceed by this +route; and if it is ever attempted, the whole party will be assuredly +lost. + + "Nor strength, nor juggling, nor the sorcerer's art + Can help him safely through that awful path, + Beset with wolves and dragons, wild and fierce, + From whom the fleetest have no power to fly. + There an enchantress, doubly armed with spells, + The most accomplished of that magic brood. + Spreads wide her snares to charm and to destroy, + And ills of every shape, and horrid aspect, + Cross the tired traveller at every step." + +At this description of the terrors of the Heft-khan, Isfendiyar became +thoughtful for awhile, and then, resigning himself to the providence of +God, resolved to take the shortest route. "No man can die before his +time," said he; "heaven is my protector, and I will fearlessly encounter +every difficulty on the road." "It is full of perils," replied Kurugsar, +and endeavored to dissuade him from the enterprise. "But with the +blessing of God," rejoined Isfendiyar, "it will be easy." The prince +then ordered a sumptuous banquet to be served, at which he gave Kurugsar +abundant draughts of wine, and even in a state of intoxication the +demon-guide still warned him against his proposed journey. "Go by the +route which takes two months," said he, "for that will be convenient and +safe;" but Isfendiyar replied:--"I neither fear the difficulties of the +route, nor the perils thou hast described." + + And though destruction spoke in every word, + Enough to terrify the stoutest heart, + Still he adhered to what he first resolved. + "Thou wilt attend me," said the dauntless prince; + And thus Kurugsar, without a pause, replied: + "Undoubtedly, if by the two months' way, + And do thee ample service; but if this + Heft-khan be thy election; if thy choice + Be fixed on that which leads to certain death, + My presence must be useless. Can I go + Where bird has never dared to wing its flight?" + +Isfendiyar, upon hearing these words, began to suspect the fidelity of +Kurugsar, and thought it safe to bind him in chains. The next day as he +was going to take leave of his father, Kurugsar called out to him, and +said: "After my promises of allegiance, and my solemn oath, why am I +thus kept in chains?" "Not out of anger assuredly; but out of compassion +and kindness, in order that I may take thee along with me on the +enterprise of the Heft-khan; for wert thou not bound, thy faint heart +might induce thee to run away. + + "Safe thou art when bound in chains, + Fettered foot can never fly. + Whilst thy body here remains, + We may on thy faith rely. + Terror will in vain assail thee; + For these bonds shall never fail thee. + Guarded by a potent charm, + They will keep thee free from harm." + +Isfendiyar having received the parting benediction of Gushtasp, was +supplied with a force consisting of twelve thousand chosen horsemen, and +abundance of treasure, to enable him to proceed on his enterprise, and +conquer the kingdom of Arjasp. + +First Stage.--Isfendiyar placed Kurugsar in bonds among his retinue, and +took with him his brother Bashutan. But the demon-guide complained that +he was unable to walk, and in consequence he was mounted on a horse, +still bound, and the bridle given into the hands of one of the warriors. +In this manner they proceeded, directed from time to time by Kurugsar, +till they arrived at the uttermost limits of the kingdom, and entered a +desert wilderness. Isfendiyar now asked what they would meet with, and +the guide answered, "Two monstrous wolves are in this quarter, as large +as elephants, and whose teeth are of immense length." The prince told +his people, that as soon as they saw the wolves, they must at once +attack them with arrows. The day passed away, and in the evening they +came to a forest and a murmuring stream, when suddenly the two enormous +wolves appeared, and rushed towards the legions of Isfendiyar. The +people seeing them advance, poured upon them a shower of arrows. +Several, however, were wounded, but the wolves were much exhausted by +the arrows which had penetrated their bodies. At this moment Bashutan +attacked one of them, and Isfendiyar the other; and so vigorous was +their charge, that both the monsters were soon laid lifeless in the +dust. After this signal overthrow, Isfendiyar turned to Kurugsar, and +exclaimed: "Thus, through the favor of Heaven, the first obstacle has +been easily extinguished!" The guide regarded him with amazement, and +said:--"I am indeed astonished at the intrepidity and valor that has +been displayed." + + Seeing the bravery of Isfendiyar, + Amazement filled the soul of Kurugsar. + +The warriors and the party now dismounted, and regaled themselves with +feasting and wine. They then reposed till the following morning. + +Second Stage.--Proceeding on the second journey, Isfendiyar inquired +what might now be expected to oppose their progress, and Kurugsar +replied: "This stage is infested by lions." "Then," rejoined Isfendiyar, +"thou shalt see with what facility I can destroy them." At about the +close of the day they met with a lion and a lioness. Bashutan said: +"Take one and I will engage the other." But Isfendiyar observed, that +the animals seemed very wild and ferocious, and he preferred attacking +them both himself, that his brother might not be exposed to any harm. He +first sallied forth against the lion, and with one mighty stroke put an +end to his life. He then approached the lioness, which pounced upon him +with great fury, but was soon compelled to desist, and the prince, +rapidly wielding his sword, in a moment cut off her head. Having thus +successfully accomplished the second day's task, he alighted from his +horse, and refreshments being spread out, the warriors and the troops +enjoyed themselves with great satisfaction, exhilarated by plenteous +draughts of ruby wine. Again Isfendiyar addressed Kurugsar, and said: +"Thou seest with what facility all opposition is removed, when I am +assisted by the favor of Heaven!" "But there are other and more terrible +difficulties to surmount, and amazing as thy achievements certainly have +been, thou wilt have still greater exertions to make before thy +enterprise is complete." "What is the next evil I have to subdue?" "An +enormous dragon, + + "With power to fascinate, and from the deep + To lure the finny tribe, his daily food. + Fire sparkles round him; his stupendous bulk + Looks like a mountain. When incensed, his roar + Makes the surrounding country shake with fear. + White poison-foam drops from his hideous jaws, + Which yawning wide, display a dismal gulf, + The grave of many a hapless being, lost + Wandering amidst that trackless wilderness." + +Kurugsar described or magnified the ferocity of the animal in such a +way, that Isfendiyar thought it necessary to be cautious, and with that +view he ordered a curious apparatus to be constructed on wheels, +something like a carriage, to which he fastened a large quantity of +pointed instruments, and harnessed horses to it to drag it on the road. +He then tried its motion, and found it admirably calculated for his +purpose. The people were astonished at the ingenuity of the invention, +and lauded him to the skies. + +Third Stage--Away went the prince, and having travelled a considerable +distance, Kurugsar suddenly exclaimed: "I now begin to smell the stench +of the dragon." Hearing this, Isfendiyar dismounted, ascended the +machine, and shutting the door fast, took his seat and drove off. +Bashutan and all the warriors upon witnessing this extraordinary act, +began to weep and lament, thinking that he was hurrying himself to +certain destruction, and begged that for his own sake, as well as +theirs, he would come out of the machine. But he replied: "Peace, peace! +what know ye of the matter;" and as the warlike apparatus was so +excellently contrived, that he could direct the movements of the horses +himself, he drove on with increased velocity, till he arrived in the +vicinity of the monster. + + The dragon from a distance heard + The rumbling of the wain, + And snuffing every breeze that stirred + Across the neighbouring plain, + + Smelt something human in his power, + A welcome scent to him; + For he was eager to devour + Hot reeking blood, or limb. + + And darkness now is spread around, + No pathway can be traced; + The fiery horses plunge and bound + Amid the dismal waste. + + And now the dragon stretches far + His cavern throat, and soon + Licks in the horses and the car, + And tries to gulp them down. + + But sword and javelin, sharp and keen, + Wound deep each sinewy jaw; + Midway, remains the huge machine, + And chokes the monster's maw. + + In agony he breathes, a dire + Convulsion fires his blood, + And struggling, ready to expire, + Ejects a poison-flood! + + And then disgorges wain and steeds, + And swords and javelins bright; + Then, as the dreadful dragon bleeds, + Up starts the warrior-knight, + And from his place of ambush leaps, + And, brandishing his blade, + The weapon in the brain he steeps, + And splits the monster's head. + + But the foul venom issuing thence, + Is so o'erpowering found, + Isfendiyar, deprived of sense, + Falls staggering to the ground! + +Upon seeing this result, and his brother in so deplorable a situation, +Bashutan and the troops also were in great alarm, apprehending the most +fatal consequences. They sprinkled rose-water over his face, and +administered other remedies, so that after some time he recovered; then +he bathed, purifying himself from the filth of the monster, and poured +out prayers of thankfulness to the merciful Creator for the protection +and victory he had given him. But it was matter of great grief to +Kurugsar that Isfendiyar had succeeded in his exploit, because under +present circumstances, he would have to follow him in the remaining +arduous enterprises; whereas, if the prince had been slain, his +obligations would have ceased forever. + +"What may be expected to-morrow?" inquired Isfendiyar. "To-morrow," +replied the demon-guide, "thou wilt meet with an enchantress, who can +convert the stormy sea into dry land, and the dry land again into the +ocean. She is attended by a gigantic ghoul, or apparition." "Then thou +shalt see how easily this enchantress and her mysterious attendant can +be vanquished." + +Fourth Stage.--On the fourth day Isfendiyar and his companions proceeded +on the destined journey, and coming to a pleasant meadow, watered by a +transparent rivulet, the party alighted, and they all refreshed +themselves heartily with various kinds of food and wine. In a short +space of time the enchantress appeared, most beautiful in feature and +elegant in attire, and approaching our hero with a sad but fascinating +expression of countenance, said to him (the ghoul, her pretended +paramour, being at a little distance):-- + + "I am a poor unhappy thing, + The daughter of a distant king. + This monster with deceit and fraud, + By a fond parent's power unawed, + Seduced me from my royal home, + Through wood and desert wild to roam; + And surely Heaven has brought thee now + To cheer my heart, and smooth my brow, + And free me from his loathed embrace, + And bear me to a fitter place, + Where, in thy circling arms more softly prest, + I may at last be truly loved, and blest." + +Isfendiyar immediately called her to him, and requested her to sit down. +The enchantress readily complied, anticipating a successful issue to her +artful stratagems; but the intended victim of her sorcery was too +cunning to be imposed upon. He soon perceived what she was, and +forthwith cast his kamund over her, and in spite of all her entreaties, +bound her too fast to escape. In this extremity, she successively +assumed the shape of a cat, a wolf, and a decrepit old man: and so +perfect were her transformations, that any other person would have been +deceived, but Isfendiyar detected her in every variety of appearance; +and, vexed by her continual attempts to cheat him, at last took out his +sword and cut her in pieces. As soon as this was done, a thick dark +cloud of dust and vapor arose, and when it subsided, a black apparition +of a demon burst upon his sight, with flames issuing from its mouth. +Determined to destroy this fresh antagonist, he rushed forward, sword in +hand, and though the flames, in the attack, burnt his cloth-armor and +dress, he succeeded in cutting off the threatening monster's head. +"Now," said he to Kurugsar, "thou hast seen that with the favor of +Heaven, both enchantress and ghoul are exterminated, as well as the +wolves, the lions, and the dragon." "Very well," replied Kurugsar, "thou +hast achieved this prodigious labor, but to-morrow will be a heavy day, +and thou canst hardly escape with life. To-morrow thou wilt be opposed +by the Simurgh, whose nest is situated upon a lofty mountain. She has +two young ones, each the size of an elephant, which she conveys in her +beak and claws from place to place." "Be under no alarm," said +Isfendiyar, "God will make the labor easy." + +Fifth Stage.--On the fifth day, Isfendiyar resumed his journey, +travelling with his little army over desert, plain, mountain, and +wilderness, until he reached the neighborhood of the Simurgh. He then +adopted the same stratagem which he had employed before, and the machine +supplied with swords and spears, and drawn by horses, was soon in +readiness for the new adventure. The Simurgh, seeing with surprise an +immense vehicle, drawn by two horses, approach at a furious rate, and +followed by a large company of horsemen, descended from the mountain, +and endeavored to take up the whole apparatus in her claws to carry it +away to her own nest; but her claws were lacerated by the sharp weapons, +and she was then obliged to try her beak. Both beak and claws were +injured in the effort, and the animal became extremely weakened by the +loss of blood. Isfendiyar seizing the happy moment, sprang out of the +carriage, and with his trenchant sword divided the Simurgh in two parts; +and the young ones, after witnessing the death of their parent, +precipitately fled from the fatal scene. When Bashutan, with the army, +came to the spot, they were amazed at the prodigious size of the +Simurgh, and the valor by which it had been subdued. Kurugsar turned +pale with astonishment and sorrow. "What will be our next adventure?" +said Isfendiyar to him. "To-morrow more pressing ills will surround +thee. Heavy snow will fall, and there will be a violent tempest of wind, +and it will be wonderful if even one man of thy legions remains alive. +That will not be like fighting against lions, a dragon, or the Simurgh, +but against the elements, against the Almighty, which never can be +successful. Thou hadst better therefore, return unhurt." The people on +hearing this warning were alarmed, and proposed to go back; "for if the +advice of Kurugsar is not taken, we shall all perish like the companions +of Kai-khosrau, and lie buried under drifts of snow. + + "Let us return then, whilst we may; + Why should we throw our lives away?" + +But Isfendiyar replied that he had already overcome five of the perils +of the road, and had no fear about the remaining two. The people, +however, were still discontented, and still murmured aloud; upon which +the prince said, "Return then, and I will go alone. + + "I never can require the aid + Of men so easily dismayed." + +Finding their leader immovable, the people now changed their tone, and +expressed their devotion to his cause; declaring that whilst life +remained, they would never forsake him, no never. + +Sixth Stage.--On the following morning, the sixth, Isfendiyar continued +his labors, and hurried on with great speed. Towards evening he arrived +on the skirts of a mountain, where there was a running stream, and upon +that spot, he pitched his tents. + + Presently from the mountain there rushed down + A furious storm of wind, then heavy showers + Of snow fell, covering all the earth with whiteness, + And making desolate the prospect round. + Keen blew the blast, and pinching was the cold; + And to escape the elemental wrath, + Leader and soldier, in the caverned rock + Scooped out by mouldering time, took shelter, there + Continuing three long days. Three lingering days + Still fell the snow, and still the tempest raged, + And man and beast grew faint for want of food. + +Isfendiyar and his warriors, with heads exposed, now prostrated +themselves in solemn prayer to the Almighty, and implored his favor and +protection from the calamity which had befallen them. Happily their +prayers were heard, Heaven was compassionate, and in a short space the +snow and the mighty wind entirely ceased. By this fortunate interference +of Providence, the army was enabled to quit the caves of the mountain; +and then Isfendiyar again addressed Kurugsar triumphantly: "Thus the +sixth labor is accomplished. What have we now to fear?" The demon-guide +answered him and said: "From hence to the Brazen Fortress it is forty +farsangs. That fortress is the residence of Arjasp; but the road is full +of peril. For three farsangs the sand on the ground is as hot as fire, +and there is no water to be found during the whole journey." This +information made a serious impression upon the mind of Isfendiyar; who +said to him sternly: "If I find thee guilty of falsehood, I will +assuredly put thee to death." Kurugsar replied: "What! after six trials? +Thou hast no reason to question my veracity. I shall never depart from +the truth, and my advice is, that thou hadst better return; for the +seventh stage is not to be ventured upon by human strength. + + "Along those plains of burning sand + No bird can move, nor ant, nor fly; + No water slakes the fiery land, + Intensely glows the flaming sky. + No tiger fierce, nor lion ever + Could breathe that pestilential air; + Even the unsparing vulture never + Ventures on blood-stained pinions there. + +"At the distance of three farsangs beyond this inaccessible belt of +scorching country lies the Brazen Fortress, to which there is no visible +path; and if an army of a hundred thousand strong were to attempt its +reduction, there would not be the least chance of success." + +Seventh Stage.--When Isfendiyar heard these things, enough to alarm the +bravest heart, he turned towards his people to ascertain their +determination; when they unanimously repeated their readiness to +sacrifice their lives in his service, and to follow wherever he might be +disposed to lead the way. He then put Kurugsar in chains again, and +prosecuted his journey, until he reached the place said to be covered +with burning sand. Arrived on the spot, he observed to the demon-guide: +"Thou hast described the sand as hot, but it is not so." "True; and it +is on account of the heavy showers of snow that have fallen and cooled +the ground, a proof that thou art under the protection of the Almighty." +Isfendiyar smiled, and said: "Thou art all insincerity and deception, +thus to play upon my feelings with false or imaginary terrors." Saying +this he urged his soldiers to pass rapidly on, so as to leave the sand +behind them, and they presently came to a great river. Isfendiyar was +now angry with Kurugsar, and said: "Thou hast declared that for the +space of forty farsangs there was no water, every drop being everywhere +dried up by the burning heat of the sun, and here we find water! Why +didst thou also idly fill the minds of my soldiers with groundless +fears?" Kurugsar replied: "I will confess the truth. Did I not swear a +solemn oath to be faithful, and yet I was still doubted, and still +confined in irons, though the experience of six days of trial had proved +the correctness of my information and advice. For this reason I was +disappointed and displeased; and I must confess that I did, therefore, +exaggerate the dangers of the last day, in the hope too of inducing thee +to return and release me from my bonds. + + "For what have I received from thee, + But scorn, and chains, and slavery." + +Isfendiyar now struck off the irons from the hands and feet of his +demon-guide and treated him with favor and kindness, repeating to him +his promise to reward him at the close of his victorious career with the +government of a kingdom. Kurugsar was grateful for this change of +conduct to him, and again acknowledging the deception he had been guilty +of, hoped for pardon, engaging at the same time to take the party in +safety across the great river which had impeded their progress. This was +accordingly done, and the Brazen Fortress was now at no great distance. +At the close of the day they were only one farsang from the towers, but +Isfendiyar preferred resting till the next morning. "What is thy counsel +now?" said he to his guide. "What sort of a fortress is this which fame +describes in such dreadful colors?" "It is stronger than imagination can +conceive, and impregnable."--"Then how shall I get to Arjasp? + + "How shall I cleave the oppressor's form asunder, + The murderer of my grandsire, Lohurasp? + The bravest heroes of Turan shall fall + Under my conquering sword; their wives and children + Led captive to Iran; and desolation + Scathe the whole realm beneath the tyrant's sway." + +But these words only roused and exasperated the feelings of Kurugsar, +who bitterly replied:-- + + "Then may calamity be thy reward, + Thy stars malignant, and thy life all sorrow; + And may'st thou perish, weltering in thy blood, + And the bare desert be thy lonely grave + For that inhuman thought, that cruel menace." + +Isfendiyar, upon hearing this unexpected language, became furious with +indignation, and instantly punished the offender on the spot; with one +stroke of his sword he cleft Kurugsar in twain. + +When the clouds of night had darkened the sky, Isfendiyar, with a number +of his warriors, proceeded towards the Brazen Fortress, and secretly +explored it on every side. He found it constructed entirely of iron and +brass; and, notwithstanding a strict examination at every point, +discovered no accessible part for attack. It was three farsangs high, +and forty wide; and such a place as was never before beheld by man. + + + +CAPTURE OF THE BRAZEN FORTRESS + +Isfendiyar returned from reconnoitring the fortress with acute feelings +of sorrow and despair. He was at last convinced that Kurugsar had spoken +the truth; for there seemed to be no chance whatever of taking the place +by any stratagem he could invent. Revolving the enterprise seriously in +his mind, he now began to repent of his folly, and the overweening +confidence which had led him to undertake the journey. Returning thus to +his tent in a melancholy mood, he saw a Fakir sitting down on the road, +and him he anxiously accosted. "What may be the number of the garrison +in this fort?" "There are a hundred thousand veteran warriors in the +service of Arjasp in the fort, with abundance of supplies of every kind, +and streams of pure water, so that nothing is wanted to foil an enemy." +This was very unwelcome intelligence to Isfendiyar, who now assembled +his officers to consider what was best to be done. They all agreed that +the reduction of the fortress was utterly impracticable, and that the +safest course for him would be to return. But he could not bring himself +to acquiesce in this measure, saying: "God is almighty, and beneficent, +and with him is the victory." He then reflected deeply and long, and +finally determined upon entering the fort disguised as a merchant. +Having first settled the mode of proceeding, he put Bashutan in +temporary charge of the army, saying:-- + + "This Brazen Fortress scorns all feats of arms, + Nor sword nor spear, nor battle-axe, can here + Be wielded to advantage; stratagem + Must be employed, or we shall never gain + Possession of its wide-extended walls, + Placing my confidence in God alone + I go with rich and curious wares for sale, + To take the credulous people by surprise, + Under the semblance of a peaceful merchant." + +Isfendiyar then directed a hundred dromedaries to be collected, and when +they were brought to him he disposed of them in the following manner. He +loaded ten with embroidered cloths, five with rubies and sapphires, and +five more with pearls and other precious jewels. Upon each of the +remaining eighty he placed two chests, and in each chest a warrior was +secreted, making in all one hundred and sixty; and one hundred more were +disposed as camel-drivers and servants. Thus the whole force, consisting +of a hundred dromedaries and two hundred and sixty warriors, set off +towards the Brazen Fortress, Isfendiyar having first intimated to his +brother Bashutan to march with his army direct to the gates of the fort, +as soon as he saw a column of flame and smoke ascend from the interior. +On the way they gave out that they were merchants come with valuable +goods from Persia, and hoped for custom. The tidings of travellers +having arrived with rubies and gold-embroidered garments for sale, soon +reached the ears of Arjasp, the king, who immediately gave them +permission to enter the fort. When Isfendiyar, the reputed master of the +caravan, had got within the walls, he said that he had brought rich +presents for the king, and requested to be introduced to him in person. +He was accordingly allowed to take the presents himself, was received +with distinguished attention, and having stated his name to be Kherad, +was invited to go to the royal palace, whenever, and as often as, he +might please. At one of the interviews the king asked him, as he had +come from Persia, if he knew whether the report was true or not that +Kurugsar had been put to death, and what Gushtasp and Isfendiyar were +engaged upon. The hero in disguise replied that it was five months since +he left Persia; but he had heard on the road from many persons that +Isfendiyar intended proceeding by the way of the Heft-khan with a vast +army, towards the Brazen Fortress. At these words Arjasp smiled in +derision, and said: "Ah! ah! by that way even the winged tribe are +afraid to venture; and if Isfendiyar had a thousand lives, he would lose +them all in any attempt to accomplish that journey." After this +interview Isfendiyar daily continued to attend to the sale of his +merchandise, and soon found that his sisters were employed in the +degrading office of drawing and carrying water for the kitchen of +Arjasp. When they heard that a caravan had arrived from Iran, they went +to Isfendiyar (who recognized them at a distance, but hid his face that +they might not know him), to inquire what tidings he had brought about +their father and brother. Alarmed at the hazard of discovery, he replied +that he knew nothing, and desired them to depart; but they remained, and +said: "On thy return to Iran, at least, let it be known that here we +are, two daughters of Gushtasp, reduced to the basest servitude, and +neither father nor brother takes compassion upon our distresses. + + "Whilst with bare head, and naked feet, we toil, + They pass their time in peace and happiness, + Regardless of the misery we endure." + +Isfendiyar again, in assumed anger, told them to depart, saying: "Talk +not to me of Gushtasp and Isfendiyar--what have I to do with them?" At +that moment the sound of his voice was recognized by the elder sister, +who, in a transport of joy, instantly communicated her discovery to the +younger; but they kept the secret till night, and then they returned to +commune with their brother. Isfendiyar finding that he was known, +acknowledged himself, and informed them that he had undertaken to +restore them to liberty, and that he was now engaged in the enterprise, +opposing every obstacle in his way; but it was necessary that they +should continue their usual labor at the wells, till a fitting +opportunity occurred. + +For the purpose of accelerating the moment of release, Isfendiyar +represented to the king that at a period of great adversity, he had made +a vow that he would give a splendid banquet if ever Heaven again smiled +upon him, and as he then was in the way to prosperity, and wished to +fulfil his vow, he hoped that his majesty would honor him with his +presence on the occasion. The king accepted the invitation with +satisfaction, and said: "To-morrow I will be thy guest, at thy own +house, and with all my warriors and soldiers." But this did not suit the +scheme of the pretended merchant, who apologized on account of his house +being too small, and proposed that the feast should be held upon the +loftiest part of the fortress, where spacious tents and pavilions might +be erected for the purpose, and a large fire lighted to give splendor to +the scene. The king assented, and every requisite preparation being +made, all the royal and warrior guests assembled in the morning, and +eagerly partook of the rich viands set before them. They all drank wine +with such relish and delight, that they soon became intoxicated, and +Kherad seizing the opportunity, ordered the logs of wood which had been +collected, to be set on fire, and rapidly the smoke and flame sprung up, +and ascended to the sky. Bashutan saw the looked-for sign, and hastened +with two thousand horsemen to the gates of the fortress, where he slew +every one that he met, calling himself Isfendiyar. Arjasp had enjoyed +the banquet exceedingly; the music gave him infinite pleasure, and the +wine had intoxicated him; but in the midst of his hilarity and +merriment, he was told that Isfendiyar had reached the gates, and +entered the fort, killing immense numbers of his people. This terrible +intelligence roused him and quitting the festive board of Kherad, he +ordered his son Kahram, with fifty thousand horsemen, to repel the +invader. He also ordered forty thousand horsemen to protect different +parts of the walls, and ten thousand to remain as his own personal +guard. Kahram accordingly issued forth without delay, and soon engaged +in battle with the force under Bashutan. + +When night came, Isfendiyar opened the lids of the chests, and let out +the hundred and sixty warriors, whom he supplied with swords and spears, +and armor, and also the hundred who were disguised as camel-drivers and +servants. + + With this bold band he sped, + Whither Arjasp had fled; + And all who fought around, + To keep untouched that sacred ground; + (Resistance weak and vain,) + By him were quickly slain. + +The sisters of Isfendiyar now arrived, and pointed out to him the +chamber of Arjasp, to which place he immediately repaired, and roused up +the king, who was almost insensible with the fumes of wine. Arjasp, +however, sprang upon his feet, + + And grappled stoutly with Isfendiyar, + And desperate was the conflict: head and loins + Alternately received deep gaping wounds + From sword and dagger. Wearied out at length, + Arjasp shrunk back, when with one mighty blow, + Isfendiyar, exulting in his power, + Cleft him asunder. + +Two of the wives, two daughters, and one sister of Arjasp fell +immediately into the hands of the conqueror, who delivered them into the +custody of his son, to be conveyed home. He then quitted the palace, and +turning his steps towards the gates of the fortress, slew a great number +of the enemy. + +Kahram, in the meantime, had been fiercely engaged with Bashutan, and +was extremely reduced. At the very moment too of his discomfiture, he +heard the watchmen call out aloud that Arjasp had been slain by Kherad. +Confounded and alarmed by these tidings, he approached the fort, where +he heard the confirmation of his misfortune from every mouth, and also +that the garrison had been put to the sword. Leading on the remainder of +his troops he now came in contact with Isfendiyar and his two hundred +and sixty warriors, and a sharp engagement ensued; but the coming up of +Bashutan's force on his rear, placed him in such a predicament on every +side, that defeat and destruction were almost inevitable. In short, +Kahram was left with only a few of his soldiers near him, when +Isfendiyar, observing his situation, challenged him to personal combat, +and the challenge was accepted. + + So closely did the eager warriors close, + They seemed together joined, and but one man. + At last Isfendiyar seized Kahram's girth, + And flung him to the ground, and bound his hands; + And as a leaf is severed from its stalk, + So he the head cleft from its quivering trunk; + Thus one blow wins, and takes away a throne, + In battle heads are trodden under hoofs, + Crowns under heads. + +After the death of Kahram, Isfendiyar issued a proclamation, offering +full pardon to all who would unite under his banners. They had no king. + + The country had no throne, no crown. Alas! + What is the world without a governor, + What, but a headless trunk? A thing more worthless + Than the vile dust upon the common road. + What could the people do in their despair? + They were obedient, and Isfendiyar + Encouraged them with kind and gentle words, + Fitting a generous and a prudent master. + +Having first written to his father an account of the great victory which +he had gained, he occupied himself in reducing all the surrounding +provinces and their inhabitants to subjection. Those people who +continued hostile to him he deemed it necessary to put to death. He took +all the women of Arjasp into his own service, and their daughters he +presented to his own sons. + + Not a warrior of Chin remained; + The king of Turan was swept away; + And the realm where in pomp he had reigned, + Where he basked in prosperity's ray, + Was spoiled by the conqueror's brand, + Desolation marked every scene, + And a stranger now governed the mountainous land, + Where the splendour of Poshang had been. + Not a dirhem of treasure was left; + For nothing eluded the conqueror's grasp; + Of all was the royal pavilion bereft; + All followed the fate of Arjasp! + +When Gushtasp received information of this mighty conquest, he sent +orders to Isfendiyar to continue in the government of the new empire; +but the prince replied that he had settled the country, and was anxious +to see his father. This request being permitted, he was desired to bring +away all the immense booty, and return by the road of the Heft-khan. +Arriving at the place where he was overtaken by the dreadful +winter-storm, he again found all the property he had lost under the +drifts of snow; and when he had accomplished his journey, he was +received with the warmest welcome and congratulations, on account of his +extraordinary successes. A royal feast was prepared, and the king filled +his son's goblet with wine so repeatedly, and drank himself so +frequently, and with such zest, that both of them at length became +intoxicated. Gushtasp then asked Isfendiyar to describe to him the +particulars of his expedition by the road of the Heft-khan; for though +he had heard the story from others, he wished to have it from his own +mouth. But Isfendiyar replied: "We have both drank too much wine, and +nothing good can proceed from a drunken man; I will recite my adventures +to-morrow, when my head is clear." The next day Gushtasp, seated upon +his throne, and Isfendiyar placed before him on a golden chair, again +asked for the prince's description of his triumphant progress by the +Heft-khan, and according to his wish every incident that merited notice +was faithfully detailed to him. The king expressed great pleasure at the +conclusion; but envy and suspicion lurked in his breast, and writhing +internally like a serpent, he still delayed fulfilling his promise to +invest Isfendiyar, upon the overthrow of Arjasp, with the sovereignty of +Iran. + +The prince could not fail to observe the changed disposition of his +father, and privately went to Kitabun, his mother, to whom he related +the solemn promise and engagement of Gushtasp, and requested her to go +to him, and say: "Thou hast given thy royal word to Isfendiyar, that +when he had conquered and slain Arjasp, and restored his own sisters to +liberty, thou wouldst place upon his head the crown of Iran; faith and +honor are indispensable in princes, they are inculcated by religion, and +yet thou hast failed to make good thy word." But the mother had more +prudence, and said: "Let me give thee timely counsel, and breathe not a +syllable to any one on the subject. God forbid that thou shouldst again +be thrown into prison, and confined in chains. Recollect thine is the +succession; the army is in thy favor; thy father is old and infirm. Have +a little patience and in the end thou wilt undoubtedly be the King of +Persia. + + "The gold and jewels, the imperial sway, + The crown, the throne, the army, all he owns, + Will presently be thine; then wait in patience, + And reign, in time, the monarch of the world." + +Isfendiyar, however, was not contented with his mother's counsel, and +suspecting that she would communicate to the king what he had said, he +one day, as if under the influence of wine, thus addressed his father: +"In what way have I failed to accomplish thy wishes? Have I not +performed such actions as never were heard of, and never will be +performed again, in furtherance of thy glory? I have overthrown thy +greatest enemy, and supported thy honor with ceaseless toil and +exertion. Is it not then incumbent on thee to fulfil thy promise?" +Gushtasp replied: "Do not be impatient--the throne is thine;" but he was +deeply irritated at heart on being thus reproached by his own son. When +he retired he consulted with Jamasp, and was anxious to know what the +stars foretold. The answer was: "He is of exalted fortune, of high +destiny; he will overcome all his enemies, and finally obtain the +sovereignty of the heft-aklim, or seven climes." This favorable prophecy +aggravated the spleen of the father against the son, and he inquired +with bitter and unnatural curiosity: "What will be his death? Look to +that." + + "A deadly dart from Rustem's bow, + Will lay the glorious warrior low." + +These tidings gladdened the heart of Gushtasp, and he said: "If this +miscreant had been slain in his expedition to the Brazen Fortress I +should not now have been insulted with his claim to my throne." The king +then having resolved upon a scheme of deep dissimulation, ordered a +gorgeous banquet, and invited to it all his relations and warriors; and +when the guests were assembled he said to Isfendiyar: "The crown and the +throne are thine; indeed, who is there so well qualified for imperial +sway?" and turning to his warriors, he spoke of him with praise and +admiration, and added: "When I was entering upon the war against Arjasp, +before I quitted Sistan, I said to Rustem: 'Lohurasp, my father, is +dead, my wife and children made prisoners, wilt thou assist me in +punishing the murderer and oppressor?' but he excused himself, and +remained at home, and although I have since been involved in numberless +perils, he has not once by inquiry shown himself interested in my +behalf; in short, he boasts that Kai-khosrau gave him the principalities +of Zabul and Kabul, and Nim-ruz, and that he owes no allegiance to me! +It behooves me, therefore, to depute Isfendiyar to go and put him to +death, or bring him before me in bonds alive. After that I shall have no +enemy to be revenged upon, and I shall retire from the world, and leave +to Isfendiyar the crown and the throne of Persia, with confidence and +satisfaction." All the nobles and heroes present approved of the +measure, and the king, gratified by their approbation, then turned to +Isfendiyar, and said: "I have sworn on the Zendavesta, to relinquish my +power, and place it in thy hands, as soon as Rustem is subdued. Take +whatever force the important occasion may require, for the whole +resources of the empire shall be at thy command," But Isfendiyar thus +replied: "Remember the first time I defeated Arjasp--what was my reward? +Through the machinations of Gurzam I was thrown into prison and chained. +And what is my reward now that I have slain both Arjasp and his son in +battle? Thy solemn promise to me is forgotten, or disregarded. The +prince who forgets one promise will forget another, if it be convenient +for his purpose. + + "Whenever the Heft-khan is brought to mind, + I feel a sense of horror. But why should I + Repeat the story of those great exploits! + God is my witness, how I slew the wolf, + The lion, and the dragon; how I punished + That fell enchantress with her thousand wiles; + And how I suffered, midst the storm of snow, + Which almost froze the blood within my veins; + And how that vast unfathomable deep + We crossed securely. These are deeds which awaken + Wonder and praise in others, not in thee! + The treasure which I captured now is thine; + And what is my reward?--the interest, sorrow. + Thus am I cheated of my recompense. + It is the custom for great kings to keep + Religiously their pledged, affianced word; + But thou hast broken thine, despite of honour. + + "I do remember in my early youth, + It was in Rum, thou didst perform a feat + Of gallant daring; for thou didst destroy + A dragon and a wolf, but thou didst bear + Thyself most proudly, thinking human arm + Never before had done a deed so mighty; + Yes, thou wert proud and vain, and seemed exalted + Up to the Heavens; and for that noble act + What did thy father do? The king for that + Gave thee with joyous heart his crown and throne. + Now mark the difference; think what I have done, + What perils I sustained, and for thy sake! + Thy foes I vanquished, clearing from thy mind + The gnawing rust of trouble and affliction. + Monsters I slew, reduced the Brazen Fortress, + And laid Arjasp's whole empire at thy feet, + And what was my reward? Neglect and scorn. + Did I deserve this at a father's hands?" + +Gushtasp remained unmoved by this sharp rebuke, though he readily +acknowledged its justice. "The crown shall be thine," said he, "but +consider my position. Think, too, what services Zal and Rustem performed +for Kai-khosrau, and shall I expect less from my own son, gifted as he +is with a form of brass, and the most prodigious valor? Forbid it, +Heaven! that any rumor of our difference should get abroad in the world, +which would redound to the dishonor of both! Nearly half of Iran is in +the possession of Rustem." "Give me the crown," said Isfendiyar, "and I +will immediately proceed against the Zabul champion." "I have given thee +both the crown and the throne, take with thee my whole army, and all my +treasure.--What wouldst thou have more? He who has conquered the +terrific obstacles of the Heft-khan, and has slain Arjasp and subdued +his entire kingdom, can have no cause to fear the prowess of Rustem, or +any other chief." Isfendiyar replied that he had no fear of Rustem's +prowess; he was now old, and therefore not equal to himself in strength; +still he had no wish to oppose him:-- + + "For he has been the monitor and friend + Of our Kaianian ancestors; his care + Enriched their minds, and taught them to be brave; + And he was ever faithful to their cause. + Besides," said he, "thou wert the honoured guest + Of Rustem two long years; and at Sistan + Enjoyed his hospitality and friendship, + His festive, social board; and canst thou now, + Forgetting that delightful intercourse, + Become his bitterest foe?" + +Gushtasp replied:-- + + "Tis true he may have served my ancestors; + But what is that to me? His spirit is proud, + And he refused to yield me needful aid + When danger pressed; that is enough, and thou + Canst not divert me from my settled purpose. + Therefore, if thy aim be still + To rule, thy father's wish fulfil; + Quickly trace the distant road; + Quick invade the chiefs abode; + Bind his feet, and bind his hands + In a captive's galling bands; + Bring him here, that all may know + Thou hast quelled the mighty foe." + +But Isfendiyar was still reluctant, and implored him to relinquish his +design. + + "For if resolved, a gloomy cloud + Will quickly all thy glories shroud, + And dim thy brilliant throne; + I would not thus aspire to reign, + But rather, free from crime, remain + Sequestered and alone." + +Again Gushtasp spoke, and said: "There is no necessity for any further +delay. Thou art appointed my successor, and the crown and the throne are +thine; thou hast therefore only to march to the scene of action, and +accomplish the object of the war." Hearing this, Isfendiyar sullenly +retired to his own house, and Gushtasp, perceiving that he was in an +angry mood, requested Jamasp (his minister) to ascertain the state of +his mind, and whether he intended to proceed to Sistan or not. Jamasp +immediately went, and Isfendiyar asked him, as his friend, what he would +advise. "The commands of a father," he replied, "must be obeyed." There +was now no remedy, and the king being informed that the prince consented +to undertake the expedition, no further discussion took place. + +But Kitabun was deeply affected when she heard of these proceedings, and +repaired instantly to her son, to represent to him the hopelessness of +the enterprise he had engaged to conduct. + + "A mother's counsel is a golden treasure, + Consider well, and listen not to folly. + Rustem, the champion of the world, will never + Suffer himself to be confined in bonds. + Did he not conquer the White Demon, fill + The world with blood, in terrible revenge, + When Saiawush was by Afrasiyab + Cruelly slain? O, curses on the throne, + And ruin seize the country, which returns + Evil for good, and spurns its benefactor. + Restrain thy steps, engage not in this war; + It cannot do thee honour. Hear my voice! + For Rustem still can conquer all the world." + Hear the safe counsel of thy anxious mother! + Thus spoke Kitabun, shedding ceaseless tears; + And thus Isfendiyar: "I fear not Rustem; + I fear not his prodigious power and skill; + But never can I on so great a hero + Place ignominious bonds; it must not be. + Yet, mother dear, my faithful word is pledged; + My word Jamasp has taken to the king, + And I must follow where my fortune leads." + +The next morning Isfendiyar took leave of the king, and with a vast +army, and immense treasure, commenced his march towards Sistan. It +happened that one of the camels in advance laid down, and though beaten +severely, could not be made to get up on its legs. Isfendiyar, seeing +the obstinacy of the animal, ordered it to be killed, and passed on. The +people, however, interpreted the accident as a bad omen, and wished him +not to proceed; but he could not attend to their suggestions, as he +thought the king would look upon it as a mere pretence, and therefore +continued his journey. + +When he approached Sistan, he sent Bahman, his eldest son, to Rustem, +with a flattering message, to induce the champion to honor him with an +istakbal, or deputation to receive him. Upon Bahman's arrival, however, +he hesitated and delayed, being reluctant to give a direct answer; but +Zal interposed, saying: "Why not immediately wait upon the prince?--have +we not always been devoted to the Kaianian dynasty?--Go and bring him +hither, that we may tender him our allegiance, and entertain him at our +mansion as becomes his illustrious birth," Accordingly Rustem went out +to welcome Isfendiyar, and alighting from Rakush, proceeded respectfully +on foot to embrace him. He then invited him to his house, but Isfendiyar +said: "So strict are my father's commands, that after having seen thee, +I am not permitted to delay my departure." Rustem, however, pressed him +to remain with him, but all in vain. On the contrary the prince artfully +conducted him to his own quarters, where he addressed him thus: "If thou +wilt allow me to bind thee, hand and foot, in chains, I will convey thee +to the king my father, whose humor it is to see thee once in fetters, +and then to release thee!" Rustem was silent. Again Isfendiyar said: "If +thou art not disposed to comply with this demand, go thy ways," Rustem +replied: "First be my guest, as thy father once was, and after that I +will conform to thy will." Again the prince said: "My father visited +thee under other circumstances; I have come for a different purpose. If +I eat thy bread and salt, and after that thou shouldst refuse thy +acquiescence, I must have recourse to force. But if I become thy guest, +how can I in honor fight with thee? and if I do not take thee bound into +my father's presence, according to his command, what answer shall I give +to him?" "For the same reason," said Rustem; "how can I eat thy bread +and salt?" Isfendiyar then replied: "Thou needest not eat my bread and +salt, but only drink wine.--Bring thy own pure ruby." To this Rustem +agreed, and they drank, each his own wine, together. + +In a short space Rustem observed that he wished to consult his father +Zal; and being allowed to depart, he, on his return home, described in +strong terms of admiration the personal appearance and mental qualities +of Isfendiyar. + + "In wisdom ripe, and with a form + Of brass to meet the battle-storm, + Thou wouldst confess his every boon, + Had been derived from Feridun." + +Bashutan in the meanwhile observed to his brother, with some degree of +dissatisfaction, that his enemy had come into his power, on his own feet +too, but had been strangely permitted to go away again. To this gentle +reproof Isfendiyar confidently replied, "If he does fail to return, I +will go and secure him in bonds, even in his own house,"--"Ah!" said +Bashutan, "that might be done by gentleness, but not by force, for the +descendant of Sam, the champion of the world, is not to be subdued so +easily." These words had a powerful effect upon the mind of Isfendiyar, +and he became apprehensive that Rustem would not return; but whilst he +was still murmuring at his own want of vigilance, the champion appeared, +and at this second interview repeated his desire that the prince would +become his guest. "I am sent here by my father, who relies upon thy +accepting his proffered hospitality."--"That may be," said Isfendiyar, +"but I am at my utmost limit, I cannot go farther. From this place, +therefore, thou hadst better prepare to accompany me to Iran." Here +Rustem paused, and at length artfully began to enumerate his various +achievements, and to blazon his own name. + + "I fettered fast the emperor of Chin, + And broke the enchantment of the Seven Khans; + I stood the guardian of the Persian kings, + Their shield in danger. I have cleared the world + Of all their foes, enduring pain and toil + Incalculable. Such exploits for thee + Will I achieve, such sufferings will I bear, + And hence we offer thee a social welcome. + But let not dark suspicion cloud thy mind, + Nor think thyself exalted as the heavens, + Because I thus invite thee to our home." + +Isfendiyar felt so indignant and irritated by this apparent boasting and +self-sufficiency of Rustem, that his first impulse was to cast a dagger +at him; but he kept down his wrath, and satisfied himself with giving +him a scornful glance, and telling him to take a seat on his left hand. +But Rustem resented this affront, saying that he never yet had sat down +on the left of any king, and placed himself, without permission, on the +right hand of Isfendiyar. The unfavorable impression on the prince's +mind was increased by this independent conduct, and he was provoked to +say to him, "Rustem! I have heard that Zal, thy father, was of demon +extraction, and that Sam cast him into the desert because of his +disgusting and abominable appearance; that even the hungry Simurgh, on +the same account, forebore to feed upon him, but conveyed him to her +nest among her own young ones, who, pitying his wretched condition, +supplied him with part of the carrion they were accustomed to devour. +Naked and filthy, he is thus said to have subsisted on garbage, till Sam +was induced to commiserate his wretchedness, and take him to Sastan, +where, by the indulgence of his family and royal bounty, he was +instructed in human manners and human science." This was a reproach and +an insult too biting for Rustem to bear with any degree of patience, and +frowning with strong indignation, he said, "Thy father knows, and thy +grandfather well knew that Zal was the son of Sam, and Sam of Nariman, +and that Nariman was descended from Husheng. Thou and I, therefore, have +the same origin. Besides, on my mother's side, I am descended from +Zohak, so that by both parents I am of a race of princes. Knowest thou +not that the Iranian empire was for some time in my hands, and that I +refused to retain it, though urged by the nobles and the army to +exercise the functions of royalty? It was my sense of justice, and +attachment to the Kais and to thy family, which have enabled thee to +possess thy present dignity and command. It is through my fidelity and +zeal that thou art now in a situation to reproach me. Thou hast slain +one king, Arjasp, how many kings have I slain? Did I not conquer +Afrasiyab, the greatest and bravest king that ever ruled over Turan? And +did I not also subdue the king of Hamaveran, and the Khakan of Chin? +Kaus, thy own ancestor, I released from the demons of Mazinderan. I slew +the White Demon, and the tremendous giant, Akwan Diw. Can thy +insignificant exploits be compared with mine? Never!" Rustem's +vehemence, and the disdainful tone of his voice, exasperated still more +the feelings of Isfendiyar, who however recollected that he was under +his roof, otherwise he would have avenged himself instantly on the spot. +Restraining his anger, he then said softly to him, "Wherefore dost thou +raise thy voice so high? For though thy head be exalted to the skies, +thou wert, and still art, but a dependent on the Kais. And was thy +Heft-khan equal in terrible danger to mine? Was the capture of +Mazinderan equal in valorous exertion to the capture of the Brazen +Fortress? And did I not, by the power of my sword, diffuse throughout +the world the blessings of my own religion, the faith of the +fire-worshipper, which was derived from Heaven itself? Thou hast +performed the duties of a warrior and a servant, whilst I have performed +the holy functions of a sovereign and a prophet!" Rustem, in reply, +said:-- + + "In thy Heft-khan thou hadst twelve thousand men + Completely armed, with ample stores and treasure, + Whilst Rakush and my sword, my conquering sword, + Were all the aid I had, and all I sought, + In that prodigious enterprise of mine. + Two sisters thou released--no arduous task, + Whilst I recovered from the demon's grasp + The mighty Kaus, and the monsters slew, + Roaring like thunder in their dismal caves. + + "This great exploit my single arm achieved; + And when Kai-khosrau gave the regal crown + To Lohurasp, the warriors were incensed, + And deemed Friburz, Kaus's valiant son, + Fittest by birth to rule. My sire and I + Espoused the cause of Lohurasp; else he + Had never sat upon the throne, nor thou + Been here to treat with scorn thy benefactor. + And now Gushtasp, with foul ingratitude, + Would bind me hand and foot! But who on earth + Can do that office? I am not accustomed + To hear harsh terms, and cannot brook their sting, + Therefore desist. Once in Kaus's court, + When I was moved to anger, I poured out + Upon him words of bitterest scorn and rage, + And though surrounded by a thousand chiefs, + Not one attempted to repress my fury, + Not one, but all stood silent and amazed." + + "Smooth that indignant brow," the prince replied + "And measure not my courage nor my strength + With that of Kaus; had he nerve like mine? + Thou might'st have kept the timorous king in awe, + But I am come myself to fetter thee!" + So saying, he the hand of Rustem grasped, + And wrung it so intensely, that the champion + Felt inwardly surprised, but careless said, + "The time is not yet come for us to try + Our power in battle." Then Isfendiyar + Dropped Rustem's hand, and spoke, "To-day let wine + Inspire our hearts, and on the field to-morrow + Be ours the strife, with battle-axe and sword, + And my first aim shall be to bind thee fast, + And show thee to my troops, Rustem in fetters!" + + At this the champion smiled, and thus exclaimed, + "Where hast thou seen the deeds of warriors brave? + Where hast thou heard the clash of mace and sword + Wielded by men of valour? I to-morrow + Will take thee in my arms, and straight convey thee + To Zal, and place thee on the ivory throne, + And on thy head a crown of gold shall glitter. + The treasury I will open, and our troops + Shall fight for thee, and I will gird my loins + As they were girt for thy bold ancestors; + And when thou art the chosen king, and I + Thy warrior-chief, the world will be thy own; + No other sovereign need attempt to reign." + +"So much time has been spent in vain boasting, and extravagant +self-praise," rejoined Isfendiyar, "that the day is nearly done, and I +am hungry; let us therefore take some refreshment together." Rustem's +appetite being equally keen, the board was spread, and every dish that +was brought to him he emptied at once, as if at one swallow; then he +threw aside the goblets, and called for the large flagon that he might +drink his fill without stint. When he had finished several dishes and as +many flagons of wine, he paused, and Isfendiyar and the assembled chiefs +were astonished at the quantity he had devoured. He now prepared to +depart, and the prince said to him, "Go and consult with thy father: if +thou art contented to be bound, well; if not, thou wilt have cause to +repent, for I will assuredly attend to the commands of Gushtasp."--"Do +thou also consult with thy brethren and friends," replied Rustem, +"whether thou wilt be our guest to-morrow, or not; if not, come to this +place before sunrise, that we may decide our differences in battle." +Isfendiyar said, "My most anxious desire, my wish to heaven, is to meet +thee, for I shall have no difficulty in binding thee hand and foot. I +would indeed willingly convey thee without fetters to my father, but if +I did so, he would say that I was unable to put thee in bonds, and that +would disgrace my name." Rustem observed that the immense number of men +and demons he had contended against was as nothing in the balance of his +mind compared with the painful subject of his present thoughts and +fears. He was ready to engage, but afraid of meriting a bad name. + + "If in the battle thou art slain by me, + Will not my cheek turn pale among the princes + Of the Kaianian race, having cut off + A lovely branch of that illustrious tree? + Will not reproaches hang upon my name + When I am dead, and shall I not be cursed + For perpetrating such a horrid deed? + Thy father, too, is old, and near his end, + And thou upon the eve of being crowned; + And in thy heart thou knowest that I proffered, + And proffer my allegiance and devotion, + And would avoid the conflict. Sure, thy father + Is practising some trick, some foul deception, + To urge thee on to an untimely death, + To rid himself of some unnatural fear, + He stoops to an unnatural, treacherous act, + For I have ever been the firm support + Of crown and throne, and perfectly he knows + No mortal ever conquered me in battle, + None ever from my sword escaped his life." + + Then spoke Isfendiyar: "Thou wouldst be generous + And bear a spotless name, and tarnish mine; + But I am not to be deceived by thee: + In fetters thou must go!" Rustem replied: + "Banish that idle fancy from thy brain; + Dream not of things impossible, for death + Is busy with thee; pause, or thou wilt die." + "No more!" exclaimed the prince, "no more of this. + Nor seek to frighten me with threatening words; + Go, and to-morrow bring with thee thy friends, + Thy father and thy brother, to behold + With their own eyes thy downfall, and lament + In sorrow over thy impending fate." + "So let it be," said Rustem, and at once + Mounted his noble horse, and hastened home. + +The champion immediately requested his father's permission to go and +fight Isfendiyar the following day, but the old man recommended +reconciliation and peace. "That cannot be," said Rustem, "for he has +reviled thee so severely, and heaped upon me so many indignities, that +my patience is exhausted, and the contest unavoidable." In the morning +Zal, weeping bitterly, tied on Rustem's armor himself, and in an agony +of grief, said: "If thou shouldst kill Isfendiyar, thy name will be +rendered infamous throughout the world; and if thou shouldst be killed, +Sistan will be prostrate in the dust, and extinguished forever! My heart +shudders at the thoughts of this battle, but there is no remedy." Rustem +said to him:--"Put thy trust in God, and be not sorrowful, for when I +grasp my sword the head of the enemy is lost; but my desire is to take +Isfendiyar alive, and not to kill him. I would serve him, and not sever +his head from his body." Zal was pleased with this determination, and +rejoiced that there was a promise of a happy issue to the engagement. + +In the morning Rustem arrayed himself in his war-attire, helmet and +breast-plate, and mounted Rakush, also armed in his bargustuwan. His +troops, too, were all assembled, and Zal appointed Zuara to take charge +of them, and be careful of his brother on all occasions where assistance +might be necessary. The old man then prostrated himself in prayer, and +said, "O God, turn from us all affliction, and vouchsafe to us a +prosperous day." Rustem being prepared for the struggle, directed Zuara +to wait with the troops at a distance, whilst he went alone to meet +Isfendiyar. When Bashutan first saw him, he thought he was coming to +offer terms of peace, and said to Isfendiyar, "He is coming alone, and +it is better that he should go to thy father of his own accord, than in +bonds."--"But," replied Isfendiyar, "he is coming completely equipped in +mail--quick, bring me my arms."--"Alas!" rejoined Bashutan, "thy brain +is wild, and thou art resolved upon fighting. This impetuous spirit will +break my heart." But Isfendiyar took no notice of the gentle rebuke. +Presently he saw Rustem ascend a high place, and heard his summons to +single combat. He then told his brother to keep at a distance with the +army, and not to interfere till aid was positively required. Insisting +rigidly on these instructions, he mounted his night-black charger, and +hastened towards Rustem, who now proposed to him that they should wait +awhile, and that in the meantime the two armies might be put in motion +against each other. "Though," said he, "my men of Zabul are few, and +thou hast a numerous host." + + "This is a strange request," replied the prince, + "But thou art all deceit and artifice; + Mark thy position, lofty and commanding, + And mine, beneath thee--in a spreading vale. + Now, Heaven forbid that I, in reckless mood, + Should give my valiant legions to destruction, + And look unpitying on! No, I advance, + Whoever may oppose me; and if thou + Requirest aid, select thy friend, and come, + For I need none, save God, in battle--none." + And Rustem said the same, for he required + No human refuge, no support but Heaven. + + The battle rose, and numerous javelins whizzed + Along the air, and helm and mail were bruised; + Spear fractured spear, and then with shining swords + The strife went on, till, trenched with many a wound, + They, too, snapped short. The battle-axe was next + Wielded, in furious wrath; each bending forward + Struck brain-bewildering blows; each tried in vain + To hurl the other from his fiery horse. + Wearied, at length, they stood apart to breathe + Their charges panting from excessive toil, + Covered with foam and blood, and the strong armor, + Of steed and rider rent. The combatants + Thus paused, in mutual consternation lost. + +In the meantime Zuara, impatient at this delay, advanced towards the +Iranians, and reproached them for their cowardice so severely, that +Nushawer, the younger son of Isfendiyar, felt ashamed, and immediately +challenged the bravest of the enemy to fight. Alwai, one of Rustem's +followers, came boldly forward, but his efforts only terminated in his +discomfiture and death. After him came Zuara himself:-- + + Who galloped to the charge incensed, and, high + Lifting his iron mace, upon the head + Of bold Nushawer struck a furious blow, + Which drove him from his steed a lifeless corse. + Seeing their gallant leader thus overthrown, + The troops in terror fled, and in their flight + Thousands were slain, among them brave Mehrnus, + Another kinsman of Isfendiyar. + +Bahman, observing the defeat and confusion of the Iranians, went +immediately to his father, and told him that two of his own family were +killed by the warriors of Zabul, who had also attacked him and put his +troops to the rout with great slaughter. Isfendiyar was extremely +irritated at this intelligence, and called aloud to Rustem: "Is +treachery like this becoming in a warrior?" The champion being deeply +concerned, shook like a branch, and swore by the head and life of the +king, by the sun, and his own conquering sword, that he was ignorant of +the event, and innocent of what had been done. To prove what he said, he +offered to bind in fetters his brother Zuara, who must have authorized +the movement; and also to secure Feramurz, who slew Mehrnus, and deliver +them over to Gushtasp, the fire-worshipper. "Nay," said he, "I will +deliver over to thee my whole family, as well as my brother and son, and +thou mayest sacrifice them all as a punishment for having commenced the +fight without permission." Isfendiyar replied: "Of what use would it be +to sacrifice thy brother and thy son? Would that restore my own to me? +No. Instead of them, I will put thee to death, therefore come on!" +Accordingly both simultaneously bent their bows, and shot their arrows +with the utmost rapidity; but whilst Rustem's made no impression, those +of Isfendiyar's produced great effect on the champion and his horse. So +severely was Rakush wounded, that Rustem, when he perceived how much his +favorite horse was exhausted, dismounted, and continued to impel his +arrows against the enemy from behind his shield. But Rakush brooked not +the dreadful storm, and galloped off unconscious that his master himself +was in as bad a plight. When Zuara saw the noble animal, riderless, +crossing the plain, he gasped for breath, and in an agony of grief +hurried to the fatal spot, where he found Rustem desperately hurt, and +the blood flowing copiously from every wound. The champion observed, +that though he was himself bleeding so much, not one drop of blood +appeared to have issued from the veins of his antagonist. He was very +weak, but succeeded in dragging himself up to his former position, when +Isfendiyar, smiling to see them thus, exclaimed:-- + + "Is this the valiant Rustem, the renowned, + Quitting the field of battle? Where is now + The raging tiger, the victorious chief? + Was it from thee the Demons shrunk in terror, + And did thy burning sword sear out their hearts? + What has become of all thy valour now? + Where is thy matchless mace, and why art thou, + The roaring lion, turned into a fox, + An animal of slyness, not of courage, + Losing thy noble character and name?" + +Zuara, when he came to Rustem, alighted and resigned his horse to his +brother; and placing an arrow on his bow-string, wished himself to +engage Isfendiyar, who was ready to fight him, but Rustem cried, "No, I +have not yet done with thee." Isfendiyar replied: "I know thee well, and +all thy dissimulation, but nothing yet is accomplished. Come and consent +to be fettered, or I must compel thee." Rustem, however, was not to be +overcome, and he said: "If I were really subdued by thee, I might agree +to be bound like a vanquished slave; but the day is now closing, +to-morrow we will resume the fight!" Isfendiyar acquiesced, and they +separated, Rustem going to his own tent, and the prince remaining on the +field. There he affectionately embraced the severed heads of his +kinsmen, placed them himself on a bier, and sent them to his father, the +king, with a letter in which he said, "Thy commands must be obeyed, and +such is the result of to-day; Heaven only knows what may befall +to-morrow." Then he spoke privately to Bashutan: "This Rustem is not +human, he is formed of rock and iron, neither sword nor javelin has done +him mortal harm; but the arrows went deep into his body, and it will +indeed be wonderful if he lives throughout the night. I know not what to +think of to-morrow, or how I shall be able to overcome him." + +When Rustem arrived at his quarters, Zal soon discovered that he had +received many wounds, which occasioned great affliction in his family, +and he said: "Alas! that in my old age such a misfortune should have +befallen us, and that with my own eyes I should see these gaping +wounds!" He then rubbed Rustem's feet, and applied healing balm to the +wounds, and bound them up with the skill and care of a physician. Rustem +said to his father: "I never met with a foe, warrior or demon, of such +amazing strength and bravery as this! He seems to have a brazen body, +for my arrows, which I can drive through an anvil, cannot penetrate his +chest. If I had applied the power which I have exerted to a mountain, +the mountain would have moved from its base, but he sat firmly upon his +saddle and scorned my efforts. I thank God that it is night, and that I +have escaped from his grasp. To-morrow I cannot fight, and my secret +wish is to retire unseen from the struggle, that no trace of me may be +discovered."--"In that case," replied Zal, "the victor will come and +take me and all my family into bondage. But let us not despair. Did not +the Simurgh promise that whenever I might be overcome by adversity, if I +burned one of her feathers, she would instantly appear? Shall we not +then solicit assistance in this awful extremity?" So saying, Zal went up +to a high place, and burnt the feather in a censer, and in a short time +the Simurgh stood before him. After due praise and acknowledgment, he +explained his wants. "But," said he, "may the misfortune we endure be +far from him who has brought it upon us. My son Rustem is wounded almost +unto death, and I am so helpless that I can do him no good." He then +brought forward Rakush, pierced by numerous arrows; upon which the +wonderful Bird said to him, "Be under no alarm on that account, for I +will soon cure him;" and she immediately plucked out the rankling +weapons with her beak, and the wounds, on passing a feather over them, +were quickly healed. + + To Rustem now she turns, and soothes his grief, + And drawing forth the arrows, sucks the blood + From out the wounds, which at her bidding close, + And the illustrious champion is restored + To life and power. + +Being thus reinvigorated by the magic influence of the Simurgh, he +solicits further aid in the coming strife with Isfendiyar; but the +mysterious animal laments that she cannot assist him. "There never +appeared in the world," said she, "so brave and so perfect a hero as +Isfendiyar. The favor of Heaven is with him, for in his Heft-khan he, by +some artifice, succeeded in killing a Simurgh, and the further thou art +removed from his invincible arm, the greater will be thy safety." Here +Zal interposed and said: "If Rustem retires from the contest, his family +will all be enslaved, and I shall equally share their bondage and +affliction." The Simurgh, hearing these words, fell into deep thought, +and remained some time silent. At length she told Rustem to mount Rakush +and follow her. Away she went to a far distance; and crossing a great +river, arrived at a place covered with reeds, where the Kazu-tree +abounded. The Simurgh then rubbed one of her feathers upon the eyes of +Rustem, and directed him to take a branch of the Kazu-tree, and make it +straight upon the fire, and form that wand into a forked arrow; after +which he was to advance against Isfendiyar, and, placing the arrow on +his bow-string, shoot it into the eyes of his enemy. "The arrow will +only make him blind," said the Simurgh, "but he who spills the blood of +Isfendiyar will never be free from calamity during his whole life. The +Kazu-tree has also this peculiar quality: an arrow made of it is sure to +accomplish its intended errand--it never misses the aim of the archer." +Rustem expressed his boundless gratitude for this information and +assistance; and the Simurgh having transported him back to his tent, and +affectionately kissed his face, returned to her own habitation. The +champion now prepared the arrow according to the instructions he had +received; and when morning dawned, mounted his horse, and hastened to +the field. He found Isfendiyar still sleeping, and exclaimed aloud: +"Warrior, art thou still slumbering? Rise, and see Rustem before thee!" +When the prince heard his stern voice, he started up, and in great +anxiety hurried on his armor. He said to Bashutan, "I had uncharitably +thought he would have died of his wounds in the night, but this clear +and bold voice seems to indicate perfect health--go and see whether his +wounds are bound up or not, and whether he is mounted on Rakush or on +some other horse." Rustem perceived Bashutan approach with an +inquisitive look, and conjectured that his object was to ascertain the +condition of himself and Rakush. He therefore vociferated to him: "I am +now wholly free from wounds, and so is my horse, for I possess an elixir +which heals the most cruel lacerations of the flesh the moment it is +applied; but no such wounds were inflicted upon me, the arrows of +Isfendiyar being only like needles sticking in my body." Bashutan now +reported to his brother that Rustem appeared to be more fresh and +vigorous than the day before, and, thinking from the spirit and +gallantry of his demeanor that he would be victorious in another +contest, he strongly recommended a reconciliation. + + + +THE DEATH OF ISFENDIYAR + +Isfendiyar, blind to the march of fate, treated the suggestion of his +brother with scorn, and mounting his horse, was soon in the presence of +Rustem, whom he thus hastily addressed: "Yesterday thou wert wounded +almost to death by my arrows, and to-day there is no trace of them. How +is this? + + "But thy father Zal is a sorcerer, + And he by charm and spell + Has cured all the wounds of the warrior, + And now he is safe and well. + For the wounds I gave could never be + Closed up, excepting by sorcery. + Yes, the wounds I gave thee in every part, + Could never be cured but by magic art." + +Rustem replied, "If a thousand arrows were shot at me, they would all +drop harmless to the ground, and in the end thou wilt fall by my hands. +Therefore, if thou seekest thy own welfare, come at once and be my +guest, and I swear by the Almighty, by Zerdusht, and the Zendavesta, by +the sun and moon, that I will go with thee, but unfetterd, to thy +father, who may do with me what he lists."--"That is not enough," +replied Isfendiyar, "thou must be fettered."--"Then do not bind my arms, +and take whatever thou wilt from me."--"And what hast thou to give?" + + "A thousand jewels of brilliant hue, + And of unknown price, shall be thine; + A thousand imperial diadems too, + And a thousand damsels divine, + Who with angel-voices will sing and play, + And delight thy senses both night and day; + And my family wealth shall be brought thee, all + That was gathered by Nariman, Sam, and Zal." + +"This is all in vain," said Isfendiyar. "I may have wandered from the +way of Heaven, but I will not disobey the commands of the king. And of +what use would thy treasure and property be to me? I must please my +father, that he may surrender to me his crown and throne, and I have +solemnly sworn to him that I will place thee before him in fetters." +Rustem replied, "And in the hopes of a crown and throne thou wouldst +sacrifice thyself!"--"Thou shalt see!" said Isfendiyar, and seized his +bow to commence the combat. Rustem did the same, and when he had placed +the forked arrow in the bow-string, he imploringly turned up his face +towards Heaven, and fervently exclaimed, "O God, thou knowest how +anxiously I have wished for a reconciliation, how I have suffered, and +that I would now give all my treasures and wealth and go with him to +Iran, to avoid this conflict; but my offers are disdained, for he is +bent upon consigning me to bondage and disgrace. Thou art the redresser +of grievances--direct the flight of this arrow into his eyes, but do not +let me be punished for the involuntary deed." At this moment Isfendiyar +shot an arrow with great force at Rustem, who dexterously eluded its +point, and then, in return, instantly lodged the charmed weapon in the +eyes of his antagonist. + + And darkness overspread his sight, + The world to him was hid in night; + The bow dropped from his slackened hand, + And down he sunk upon the sand. + +"Yesterday," said Rustem, "thou discharged at me a hundred and sixty +arrows in vain, and now thou art overthrown by one arrow of mine." +Bahman, the son of Isfendiyar, seeing his father bleeding on the ground, +uttered loud lamentations, and Bashutan, followed by the Iranian troops, +also drew nigh with the deepest sorrow marked on their countenances. The +fatal arrow was immediately drawn from the wounded eyes of the prince, +and some medicine being first applied to them, they conveyed him +mournfully to his own tent. + +The conflict having thus terminated, Rustem at the same time returned +with his army to where Zal remained in anxious suspense about the +result. The old man rejoiced at the issue, but said, "O, my son, thou +hast killed thy enemy, but I have learnt from the wise men and +astrologers that the slayer of Isfendiyar must soon come to a fatal end. +May God protect thee!" Rustem replied, "I am guiltless, his blood is +upon his own head." The next day they both proceeded to visit +Isfendiyar, and offer to him their sympathy and condolence, when the +wounded prince thus spoke to Rustem: "I do not ascribe my misfortune to +thee, but to an all-ruling power. Fate would have it so, and thus it is! +I now consign to thy care and guardianship my son Bahman: instruct him +in the science of government, the customs of kings, and the rules and +stratagems of the warrior, for thou art exceedingly wise and +experienced, and perfect in all things," Rustem readily complied, and +said:-- + + "That duty shall be mine alone, + To seat him firmly on the throne." + +Then Isfendiyar murmured to Bashutan, that the anguish of his wound was +wearing him away, and that he had but a short time to live. + + "The pace of death is fast and fleet, + And nothing my life can save, + I shall want no robe, but my winding sheet, + No mansion but the grave. + + "And tell my father the wish of his heart + Has not been breathed in vain, + The doom he desired when he made me depart, + Has been sealed, and his son is slain! + + "And, O! to my mother, in kindliest tone, + The mournful tidings bear, + And soothe her woes for her warrior gone, + For her lost Isfendiyar." + +He now groaned heavily, and his last words were:-- + + "I die, pursued by unrelenting fate, + The hapless victim of a father's hate." + +Life having departed, his body was placed upon a bier, and conveyed to +Iran, amidst the tears and lamentations of the people. + +Rustem now took charge of Bahman, according to the dying request of +Isfendiyar, and brought him to Sistan. This was, however, repugnant to +the wishes of Zuara, who observed to his brother: "Thou hast slain the +father of this youth; do not therefore nurture and instruct the son of +thy enemy, for, mark me, in the end he will be avenged."--"But did not +Isfendiyar, with his last breath, consign him to my guardianship? how +can I refuse it now? It must be so written and determined in the +dispensations of Heaven." + +The arrival of the bier in Persia, at the palace of Gushtasp, produced a +melancholy scene of public and domestic affliction. The king took off +the covering and wept bitterly, and the mother and sisters exclaimed, +"Alas! thy death is not the work of human hands; it is not the work of +Rustem, nor of Zal, but of the Simurgh. Thou hast not lived long enough +to be ashamed of a gray beard, nor to witness the maturity and +attainments of thy children. Alas! thou art snatched away at a moment of +the highest promise, even at the commencement of thy glory." In the +meanwhile the curses and imprecations of the people were poured upon the +devoted head of Gushtasp on account of his cruel and unnatural conduct, +so that he was obliged to confine himself to his palace till after the +interment of Isfendiyar. + +Rustem scrupulously fulfilled his engagement, and instructed Bahman in +all manly exercises; in the use of bow and javelin, in the management of +sword and buckler, and in all the arts and accomplishments of the +warrior. He then wrote to Gushtasp, repeating that he was unblamable in +the conflict which terminated in the death of his son Isfendiyar, that +he had offered him presents and wealth to a vast extent, and moreover +was ready to return with him to Iran, to his father; but every overture +was rejected. Relentless fate must have hurried him on to a premature +death. "I have now," continued Rustem, "completed the education of +Bahman, according to the directions of his father, and await thy further +commands." Gushtasp, after reading this letter, referred to Bashutan, +who confirmed the declarations of Rustem, and the treacherous king, +willing to ascribe the event to an overruling destiny, readily acquitted +Rustem of all guilt in killing Isfendiyar. At the same time he sent for +Bahman, and on his arrival from Sistan, was so pleased with him that he +without hesitation appointed him to succeed to the throne. + + "Methinks I see Isfendiyar again, + Thou hast the form, the very look he bore, + And since thy glorious father is no more, + Long as I live thou must with me remain." + + + +THE DEATH OF RUSTEM + +Firdusi seems to have derived the account of Shughad, and the melancholy +fate of Rustem, from a descendant of Sam and Nariman, who was +particularly acquainted with the chronicles of the heroes and the kings +of Persia. Shughad, it appears, was the son of Zal, by one of the old +warrior's maid-servants, and at his very birth the astrologers predicted +that he would be the ruin of the glorious house of Sam and Nariman, and +the destruction of their race. + + Throughout Sistan the prophecy was heard + With horror and amazement; every town + And city in Iran was full of woe, + And Zal, in deepest agony and grief, + Sent up his prayers to the Almighty Power + That he would purify the infant's heart, + And free it from that quality, foretold + As the destroyer of his ancient house. + But what are prayers, opposed by destiny? + +The child, notwithstanding, was brought up with great care and +attention, and when arrived at maturity, he was sent to the king of +Kabul, whose daughter he espoused. + +Rustem was accustomed to go to Kabul every year to receive the tribute +due to him; but on the last occasion, it is said that he exacted and +took a higher rate than usual, and thus put many of the people to +distress. The king was angry, and expressed his dissatisfaction to +Shughad, who was not slow in uttering his own discontent, saying, +"Though I am his brother, he has no respect for me, but treats me always +like an enemy. For this personal hostility I long to punish him with +death."--"But how," inquired the king, "couldst thou compass that +end?" Shughad replied, "I have well considered the subject, and propose +to accomplish my purpose in this manner. I shall feign that I have been +insulted and injured by thee, and carry my complaint to Zal and Rustem, +who will no doubt come to Kabul to redress my wrongs. Thou must in the +meantime prepare for a sporting excursion, and order a number of pits to +be dug on the road sufficiently large to hold Rustem and his horse, and +in each several swords must be placed with their points and edges +upwards. The mouths of the pits must then be slightly covered over, but +so carefully that there may be no appearance of the earth underneath +having been removed. Everything being thus ready, Rustem, on the +pretence of going to the sporting ground, must be conducted by that +road, and he will certainly fall into one of the pits, which will become +his grave." This stratagem was highly approved by the king, and it was +agreed that at a royal banquet, Shughad should revile and irritate the +king, whose indignant answer should be before all the assembly: "Thou +hast no pretensions to be thought of the stock of Sam and Nariman. Zal +pays thee no attention, at least, not such attention as he would pay to +a son, and Rustem declares thou art not his brother; indeed, all the +family treat thee as a slave." At these words, Shughad affected to be +greatly enraged, and, starting up from the banquet, hastened to Rustem +to complain of the insult offered him by the king of Kabul. Rustem +received him with demonstrations of affection, and hearing his +complaint, declared that he would immediately proceed to Kabul, depose +the king for his insolence, and place Shughad himself on the throne of +that country. In a short time they arrived at the city, and were met by +the king, who, with naked feet and in humble guise, solicited +forgiveness. Rustem was induced to pardon the offence, and was honored +in return with great apparent respect, and with boundless hospitality. +In the meantime, however, the pits were dug, and the work of destruction +in progress, and Rustem was now invited to share the sports of the +forest. The champion was highly gratified by the courtesy which the king +displayed, and mounted Rakush, anticipating a day of excellent +diversion. Shughad accompanied him, keeping on one side, whilst Rustem, +suspecting nothing, rode boldly forward. Suddenly Rakush stopped, and +though urged to advance, refused to move a step. At last the champion +became angry, and struck the noble animal severely; the blows made him +dart forward, and in a moment he unfortunately fell into one of the +pits. + + It was a place, deep, dark, and perilous, + All bristled o'er with swords, leaving no chance + Of extrication without cruel wounds; + And horse and rider sinking in the midst, + Bore many a grievous stab and many a cut + In limb and body, ghastly to the sight. + Yet from that depth, at one prodigious spring, + Rakush escaped with Rustem on his back; + But what availed that effort? Down again + Into another pit both fell together, + And yet again they rose, again, again; + Seven times down prostrate, seven times bruised and maimed, + They struggled on, till mounting up the edge + Of the seventh pit, all covered with deep wounds, + Both lay exhausted. When the champion's brain + Grew cool, and he had power to think, he knew + Full well to whom he owed this treachery, + And calling to Shughad, said: "Thou, my brother! + Why hast thou done this wrong? Was it for thee, + My father's son, by wicked plot and fraud + To work this ruin, to destroy my life?" + Shughad thus sternly answered: "'Tis for all + The blood that thou hast shed, God has decreed + This awful vengeance--now thy time is come!" + Then spoke the king of Kabul, as if pity + Had softened his false heart: "Alas! the day + That thou shouldst perish, so ignobly too, + And in my kingdom; what a wretched fate! + But bring some medicine to relieve his wounds-- + Quick, bring the matchless balm for Rustem's cure; + He must not die, the champion must not die!" + But Rustem scorned the offer, and in wrath, + Thus spoke: "How many a mighty king has died, + And left me still triumphant--still in power, + Unconquerable; treacherous thou hast been, + Inhuman, too, but Feramurz, the brave, + Will be revenged upon thee for this crime." + +Rustem now turned towards Shughad, and in an altered and mournful tone, +told him that he was at the point of death, and asked him to string his +bow and give it to him, that he might seem as a scare-crow, to prevent +the wolves and other wild animals from devouring him when dead. + + Shughad performed the task, and lingered not, + For he rejoiced at this catastrophe, + And with a smile of fiendish satisfaction, + Placed the strong bow before him--Rustem grasped + The bended horn with such an eager hand, + That wondering at the sight, the caitiff wretch + Shuddered with terror, and behind a tree + Shielded himself, but nothing could avail; + The arrow pierced both tree and him, and they + Were thus transfixed together--thus the hour + Of death afforded one bright gleam of joy + To Rustem, who, with lifted eyes to Heaven, + Exclaimed: "Thanksgivings to the great Creator, + For granting me the power, with my own hand, + To be revenged upon my murderer!" + So saying, the great champion breathed his last, + And not a knightly follower remained, + Zuara, and the rest, in other pits, + Dug by the traitor-king, and traitor-brother, + Had sunk and perished, all, save one, who fled, + And to the afflicted veteran at Sistan + Told the sad tidings. Zal, in agony, + Tore his white hair, and wildly rent his garments, + And cried: "Why did not I die for him, why + Was I not present, fighting by his side? + But he, alas! is gone! Oh! gone forever." + +Then the old man despatched Feramurz with a numerous force to Kabul, to +bring away the dead body of Rustem. Upon his approach, the king of Kabul +and his army retired to the mountains, and Feramurz laid waste the +country. He found only the skeletons of Rustem and Zuara, the beasts of +prey having stripped them of their flesh: he however gathered the bones +together and conveyed them home and buried them, amidst the lamentations +of the people. After that, he returned to Kabul with his army, and +encountered the king, captured the cruel wretch, and carried him to +Sistan, where he was put to death. + +Gushtasp having become old and infirm, bequeathed his empire to Bahman, +and then died. He reigned one hundred and eight years. + + + +BAHMAN + +Bahman, the grandson of Gushtasp, having at the commencement of his +sovereignty obtained the approbation of his people, by the clemency of +his conduct and the apparent generosity of his disposition, was not long +in meditating vindictive measures against the family of Rustem. "Did not +Kai-khosrau," said he to his warriors, "revenge himself on Afrasiyab for +the murder of Saiawush; and have not all my glorious ancestors pursued a +similar course? Why, then, should not I be revenged on the father of +Rustem for the death of Isfendiyar?" The warriors, as usual, approved of +the king's resolution, and in consequence one hundred thousand veteran +troops were assembled for the immediate invasion of Sistan. When Bahman +had arrived on the borders of the river Behermund, he sent a message to +Zal, frankly declaring his purpose, and that he must sacrifice the lives +of himself and all his family as an atonement for Rustem's guilt in +shedding the blood of Isfendiyar. + + Zal heard his menace with astonishment, + Mingled with anguish, and he thus replied: + "Rustem was not in fault; and thou canst tell, + For thou wert present, how he wept, and prayed + That he might not be bound. How frequently + He offered all his wealth, his gold, and gems, + To be excused that ignominious thrall; + And would have followed thy impatient father + To wait upon Gushtasp; but this was scorned; + Nothing but bonds would satisfy his pride; + All this thou know'st. Then did not I and Rustem + Strictly fulfil Isfendiyar's commands, + And most assiduously endow thy mind + With all the skill and virtues of a hero, + That might deserve some kindness in return? + Now take my house, my treasure, my possessions, + Take all; but spare my family and me." + + The messenger went back, and told the tale + Of Zal's deep grief with such persuasive grace, + And piteous accent, that the heart of Bahman + Softened at every word, and the old man + Was not to suffer. After that was known, + With gorgeous presents Zal went forth to meet + The monarch in his progress to the city; + And having prostrated himself in low + Humility, retired among the train + Attendant on the king. "Thou must not walk," + Bahman exclaimed, well skilled in all the arts + Of smooth hypocrisy--"thou art too weak; + Remount thy horse, for thou requirest help." + But Zal declined the honour, and preferred + Doing that homage as illustrious Sam, + His conquering ancestor, had always done, + Barefoot, in presence of the royal race. + + Fast moving onwards, Bahman soon approached + Sistan, and entered Zal's superb abode; + Not as a friend, or a forgiving foe, + But with a spirit unappeased, unsoothed; + True, he had spared the old man's life, but there + His mercy stopped; all else was confiscate, + For every room was plundered, all the treasure + Seized and devoted to the tyrant's use. + +After remorselessly obtaining this booty, Bahman inquired what had +become of Feramurz, and Zal pretended that, unaware of the king's +approach, he had gone a-hunting. But this excuse was easily seen +through, and the king was so indignant on the occasion, that he put Zal +himself in fetters. Feramurz had, in fact, secretly retired with the +Zabul army to a convenient distance, for the purpose of acting as +necessity might require, and when he heard that Zal was placed in +confinement, he immediately marched against the invader and oppressor of +his country. Both armies met, and closed, and were in desperate conflict +three long days and nights. On the fourth day, a tremendous hurricane +arose, which blew thick clouds of dust in the face of the Zabul army, +and blinding them, impeded their progress, whilst the enemy were driven +furiously forward by the strong wind at their backs. The consequence was +the defeat of the Zabul troops. Feramurz, with a few companions, +however, kept his ground, though assailed by showers of arrows. He tried +repeatedly to get face to face with Bahman, but every effort was +fruitless, and he felt convinced that his career was now nearly at an +end. He bravely defended himself, and aimed his arrows with great +precision; but what is the use of art when Fortune is unfavorable? + + When Fate's dark clouds portentous lower, + And quench the light of day, + No effort, none, of human power, + Can chase the gloom away. + Arrows may fly a countless shower, + Amidst the desperate fray; + But not to sword or arrow death is given, + Unless decreed by favouring Heaven + +And it was so decreed that the exertions of Feramurz should be +unsuccessful. His horse fell, he was wounded severely, and whilst +insensible, the enemy secured and conveyed him in fetters to Bahman, who +immediately ordered him to be hanged. The king then directed all the +people of Sistan to be put to the sword; upon which Bashutan said: +"Alas! why should the innocent and unoffending people be thus made to +perish? Hast thou no fear of God? Thou hast taken vengeance for thy +father, by slaying Feramurz, the son of Rustem. Is not that enough? Be +merciful and beneficent now to the people, and thank Heaven for the +great victory thou hast gained." Bahman was thus withdrawn from his +wicked purpose, and was also induced to liberate Zal, whose age and +infirmities had rendered him perfectly harmless. He not only did this, +but restored to him the possession of Sistan; and divesting himself of +all further revenge, returned to Persia. There he continued to exercise +the functions of royalty, till one day he happened to be bitten by a +snake, whose venom was so excruciating, that remedies were of no avail, +and he died of the wound, in the eighth year of his reign. Although he +had a son named Sassan, he did not appoint him his successor; but gave +the crown and the throne to his wife, Humai, whom he had married a short +time before his death, saying: "If Humai should have a son, that son +shall be my successor; but if a daughter, Humai continue to reign." + + + +HUMAI AND THE BIRTH OF DARAB + +Wisdom and generosity were said to have marked the government of Humai. +In justice and beneficence she was unequalled. No misfortune happened in +her days: even the poor and the needy became rich. She gave birth to a +son, whom she entrusted to a nurse to be brought up secretly, and +declared publicly that it had died the same day it was born. At this +event the people rejoiced, for they were happy under the administration +of Humai. Upon the boy attaining his seventh month, however, the queen +sent for him, and wrapping him up in rich garments, put him in a box, +and when she had fastened down the cover, gave it to two confidential +servants, in the middle of the night, to be flung into the Euphrates. +"For," thought she, "if he be found in the city, there will be an end to +my authority, and the crown will be placed upon his head; wiser, +therefore, will it be for me to cast him into the river; and if it +please God to preserve him, he may be nurtured, and brought up in +another country." Accordingly in the darkness of night, the box was +thrown into the Euphrates, and it floated rapidly down the stream for +some time without being observed. + + Amidst the waters, in that little ark + Was launched the future monarch. But, vain mortal! + How bootless are thy most ingenious schemes, + Thy wisest projects! Such were thine, Humai! + Presumptuous as thou wert to think success + Would crown that deed unnatural and unjust. + But human passions, human expectations + Are happily controlled by righteous Heaven. + +In the morning the ark was noticed by a washerman; who, curious to know +what it contained, drew it to the shore, and opened the lid. Within the +box he then saw splendid silk-embroidered scarfs and costly raiment, and +upon them a lovely infant asleep. He immediately took up the child, and +carried it to his wife, saying: "It was but yesterday that our own +infant died, and now the Almighty has sent thee another in its place." +The woman looked at the child with affection, and taking it in her arms +fed it with her own milk. In the box they also found jewels and rubies, +and they congratulated themselves upon being at length blessed by +Providence with wealth, and a boy at the same time. They called him +Darab, and the child soon began to speak in the language of his +foster-parents. The washerman and his wife, for fear that the boy and +the wealth might be discovered, thought it safest to quit their home, +and sojourn in another country. When Darab grew up, he was more skilful +and accomplished, and more expert at wrestling than other boys of a +greater age. But whenever the washerman told him to assist in washing +clothes, he always ran away, and would not stoop to the drudgery. This +untoward behavior grieved the washerman exceedingly, and he lamented +that God had given him so useless a son, not knowing that he was +destined to be the sovereign of all the world. + + How little thought he, whilst the task he prest, + A purer spirit warmed the stripling's breast, + Whose opening soul, by kingly pride inspired, + Disdained the toil a menial slave required; + The royal branch on high its foliage flung, + And showed the lofty stem from which it sprung. + +Darab was now sent to school, and he soon excelled his master, who +continually said to the washerman: "Thy son is of wonderful capacity, +acute and intelligent beyond his years, of an enlarged understanding, +and will be at least the minister of a king." Darab requested to have +another master, and also a fine horse of Irak, that he might acquire the +science and accomplishments of a warrior; but the washerman replied that +he was too poor to comply with his wishes, which threw the youth into +despair, so that he did not touch a morsel of food for two days +together. His foster-mother, deeply affected by his disappointment, and +naturally anxious to gratify his desires, gave an article of value to +the washerman, that he might sell it, and with the money purchase the +horse required. The horse obtained, he was daily instructed in the art +of using the bow, the javelin, and the sword, and in every exercise +becoming a young gentleman and a warrior. So devouringly did he +persevere in his studies, and in his exertions to excel, that he never +remained a moment unoccupied at home or abroad. The development of his +talents and genius suggested to him an inquiry who he was, and how he +came into the house of a washerman; and his foster-mother, in compliance +with his entreaties, described to him the manner in which he was found. +He had long been miserable at the thoughts of being the son of a +washerman, but now he rejoiced, and looked upon himself as the son of +some person of consideration. He asked her if she had anything that was +taken out of the box, and she replied: "Two valuable rubies remain." The +youth requested them to be brought to him; one he bound round his arm, +and the other he sold to pay the expenses of travelling and change of +place. + +At that time, it is said, the king of Rum had sent an army into the +country of Iran. Upon receiving this information, Humai told her +general, named Rishnawad, to collect a force corresponding with the +emergency; and he issued a proclamation, inviting all young men desirous +of military glory to flock to his standard. Darab heard this +proclamation with delight, and among others hastened to Rishnawad, who +presented the young warriors as they arrived successively to Humai. The +queen steadfastly marked the majestic form and features of Darab, and +said in her heart: "The youth who bears this dignified and royal aspect, +appears to be a Kaianian by birth;" and as she spoke, the instinctive +feeling of a mother seemed to agitate her bosom. + + The queen beheld his form and face, + The scion of a princely race; + And natural instinct seemed to move + Her heart, which spoke a mother's love; + She gazed, but like the lightning's ray, + That sudden thrill soon passed away. + +The army was now in motion. After the first march, a tremendous wind and +heavy rain came on, and all the soldiers were under tents, excepting +Darab, who had none, and was obliged to take shelter from the inclemency +of the weather beneath an archway, where he laid himself down, and fell +asleep. Suddenly a supernatural voice was heard, saying:-- + + "Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no ruined fragment fall! + He who sleeps beneath is one + Destined to a royal throne. + Arch! a monarch claims thy care, + The king of Persia slumbers there!" + +The voice was heard by every one near, and Rishnawad having also heard +it, inquired of his people from whence it came. As he spoke, the voice +repeated its caution:-- + + "Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no ruined fragment fall! + Bahman's son is in thy keeping; + He beneath thy roof is sleeping. + Though the winds are loudly roaring, + And the rain in torrents pouring, + Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no loosened fragment fall." + +Again Rishnawad sent other persons to ascertain from whence the voice +proceeded; and they returned, saying, that it was not of the earth, but +from Heaven. Again the caution sounded in his ears:-- + + "Arch! stand firm, and from thy wall + Let no loosened fragment fall." + +And his amazement increased. He now sent a person under the archway to +see if any one was there, when the youth was discovered in deep sleep +upon the ground, and the arch above him rent and broken in many parts. +Rishnawad being apprised of this circumstance, desired that he might be +awakened and brought to him. The moment he was removed, the whole of the +arch fell down with a dreadful crash, and this wonderful escape was also +communicated to the leader of the army, who by a strict and particular +enquiry soon became acquainted with all the occurrences of the +stranger's life. Rishnawad also summoned before him the washerman and +his wife, and they corroborated the story he had been told. Indeed he +himself recognized the ruby on Darab's arm, which convinced him that he +was the son of Bahman, whom Humai caused to be thrown into the +Euphrates. Thus satisfied of his identity, he treated him with great +honor, placed him on his right hand, and appointed him to a high command +in the army. Soon afterwards an engagement took place with the Rumis, +and Darab in the advanced guard performed prodigies of valor. The battle +lasted all day, and in the evening Rishnawad bestowed upon him the +praise which he merited. Next day the army was again prepared for +battle, when Darab proposed that the leader should remain quiet, whilst +he with a chosen band of soldiers attacked the whole force of the enemy. +The proposal being agreed to, he advanced with fearless impetuosity to +the contest. + + With loosened rein he rushed along the field, + And through opposing numbers hewed his path, + Then pierced the Kulub-gah, the centre-host, + Where many a warrior brave, renowned in arms, + Fell by his sword. Like sheep before a wolf + The harassed Rumis fled; for none had power + To cope with his strong arm. His wondrous might + Alone, subdued the legions right and left; + And when, unwearied, he had fought his way + To where great Kaisar stood, night came, and darkness, + Shielding the trembling emperor of Rum, + Snatched the expected triumph from his hands. + +Rishnawad was so filled with admiration at his splendid prowess, that he +now offered him the most magnificent presents; but when they were +exposed to his view, a suit of armor was the only thing he would accept. + +The Rumis were entirely disheartened by his valor, and they said: "We +understood that the sovereign of Persia was only a woman, and that the +conquest of the empire would be no difficult task; but this woman seems +to be more fortunate than a warrior-king. Even her general remains +inactive with the great body of his army; and a youth, with a small +force, is sufficient to subdue the legions of Rum; we had, therefore, +better return to our own country." The principal warriors entertained +the same sentiments, and suggested to Kaisar the necessity of retiring +from the field; but the king opposed this measure, thinking it cowardly +and disgraceful, and said:-- + + "To-morrow we renew the fight, + To-morrow we shall try our might; + To-morrow, with the smiles of Heaven, + To us the victory will be given." + +Accordingly on the following day the armies met again, and after a +sanguinary struggle, the Persians were again triumphant. Kaisar now +despaired of success, sent a messenger to Rishnawad, in which he +acknowledged the aggressions he had committed, and offered to pay him +whatever tribute he might require. Rishnawad readily settled the terms +of the peace; and the emperor was permitted to return to his own +dominions. + +After this event Rishnawad sent to Humai intelligence of the victories +he had gained, and of the surprising valor of Darab, transmitting to her +the ruby as an evidence of his birth. Humai was at once convinced that +he was her son, for she well remembered the day on which he was enrolled +as one of her soldiers, when her heart throbbed with instinctive +affection at the sight of him; and though she had unfortunately failed +to question him then, she now rejoiced that he was so near being +restored to her. She immediately proceeded to the Atish-gadeh, or the +Fire-altar, and made an offering on the occasion; and ordering a great +fire to be lighted, gave immense sums away in charity to the poor. +Having called Darab to her presence, she went with a splendid retinue to +meet him at the distance of one journey from the city; and as soon as he +approached, she pressed him to her bosom, and kissed his head and eyes +with the fondest affection of a mother. Upon the first day of happy +omen, she relinquished in his favor the crown and the throne, after +having herself reigned thirty-two years. + + + +DARAB AND DARA + +When Darab had ascended the throne, he conducted the affairs of the +kingdom with humanity, justice, and benevolence; and by these means +secured the happiness of his people. He had no sooner commenced his +reign, than he sent for the washerman and his wife, and enriched them by +his gifts. "But," said he, "I present to you this property on these +conditions--you must not give up your occupation--you must go every day, +as usual, to the river-side, and wash clothes; for perhaps in process of +time you may discover another box floating down the stream, containing +another infant!" With these conditions the washerman complied. + +Some time afterwards the kingdom was invaded by an Arabian army, +consisting of one hundred thousand men, and commanded by Shaib, a +distinguished warrior. Darab was engaged with this army three days and +three nights, and on the fourth morning the battle terminated, in +consequence of Shaib being slain. The booty was immense, and a vast +number of Arabian horses fell into the hands of the victor; which, +together with the quantity of treasure captured, strengthened greatly +the resources of the state. The success of this campaign enabled Darab +to extend his military operations; and having put his army in order, he +proceeded against Failakus (Philip of Macedon), then king of Rum, whom +he defeated with great loss. Many were put to the sword, and the women +and children carried into captivity. Failakus himself took refuge in the +fortress of Amur, from whence he sent an ambassador to Darab, saying, +that if peace was only granted to him, he would willingly consent to any +terms that might be demanded. When the ambassador arrived, Darab said to +him: "If Failakus will bestow upon me his daughter, Nahid, peace shall +be instantly re-established between us--I require no other terms." +Failakus readily agreed, and sent Nahid with numerous splendid presents +to the king of Persia, who espoused her, and took her with him to his +own country. It so happened that Nahid had an offensive breath, which +was extremely disagreeable to her husband, and in consequence he +directed enquiries to be made everywhere for a remedy. No place was left +unexplored; at length an herb of peculiar efficacy and fragrance was +discovered, which never failed to remove the imperfection complained of; +and it was accordingly administered with confident hopes of success. +Nahid was desired to wash her mouth with the infused herb, and in a few +days her breath became balmy and pure. When she found she was likely to +become a mother she did not communicate the circumstance, but requested +permission to pay a visit to her father. The request was granted; and on +her arrival in Rum she was delivered of a son. Failakus had no male +offspring, and was overjoyed at this event, which he at once determined +to keep unknown to Darab, publishing abroad that a son had been born in +his house, and causing it to be understood that the child was his own. +When the boy grew up, he was called Sikander; and, like Rustem, became +highly accomplished in all the arts of diplomacy and war. Failakus +placed him under Aristatalis, a sage of great renown, and he soon +equalled his master in learning and science. + +Darab married another wife, by whom he had another son, named Dara; and +when the youth was twenty years of age, the father died. The period of +Darab's reign was thirty-four years. + +Dara continued the government of the empire in the same spirit as his +father; claiming custom and tribute from the inferior rulers, with +similar strictness and decision. After the death of Failakus, Sikander +became the king of Rum; and refusing to pay the demanded tribute to +Persia, went to war with Dara, whom he killed in battle; the particulars +of these events will be presently shown. Failakus reigned twenty-four +years. + + + +SIKANDER + +Failakus, before his death, placed the crown of sovereignty upon the +head of Sikander, and appointed Aristu, who was one of the disciples of +the great Aflatun, his vizir. He cautioned him to pursue the path of +virtue and rectitude, and to cast from his heart every feeling of vanity +and pride; above all he implored him to be just and merciful, and +said:-- + + "Think not that thou art wise, but ignorant, + And ever listen to advice and counsel; + We are but dust, and from the dust created; + And what our lives but helplessness and sorrow!" + +Sikander for a time attended faithfully to the instructions of his +father, and to the counsel of Aristu, both in public and private +affairs. + +Upon Sikander's elevation to the throne, Dara sent an envoy to him to +claim the customary tribute, but he received for answer: "The time is +past when Rum acknowledged the superiority of Persia. It is now thy turn +to pay tribute to Rum. If my demand be refused, I will immediately +invade thy dominions; and think not that I shall be satisfied with the +conquest of Persia alone, the whole world shall be mine; therefore +prepare for war." Dara had no alternative, not even submission, and +accordingly assembled his army, for Sikander was already in full march +against him. Upon the confines of Persia the armies came in sight of +each other, when Sikander, in the assumed character of an envoy, was +resolved to ascertain the exact condition of the enemy. With this view +he entered the Persian camp, and Dara allowing the person whom he +supposed an ambassador, to approach, enquired what message the king of +Rum had sent to him. "Hear me!" said the pretended envoy: "Sikander has +not invaded thy empire for the exclusive purpose of fighting, but to +know its history, its laws, and customs, from personal inspection. His +object is to travel through the whole world. Why then should he make war +upon thee? Give him but a free passage through thy kingdom, and nothing +more is required. However if it be thy wish to proceed to hostilities, +he apprehends nothing from the greatness of thy power." Dara was +astonished at the majestic air and dignity of the envoy, never having +witnessed his equal, and he anxiously said:-- + + "What is thy name, from whom art thou descended? + For that commanding front, that fearless eye, + Bespeaks illustrious birth. Art thou indeed + Sikander, whom my fancy would believe thee, + So eloquent in speech, in mien so noble?" + "No!" said the envoy, "no such rank is mine, + Sikander holds among his numerous host + Thousands superior to the humble slave + Who stands before thee. It is not for me + To put upon myself the air of kings, + To ape their manners and their lofty state." + +Dara could not help smiling, and ordered refreshments and wine to be +brought. He filled a cup and gave it to the envoy, who drank it off, but +did not, according to custom, return the empty goblet to the cup-bearer. +The cup-bearer demanded the cup, and Dara asked the envoy why he did not +give it back. "It is the custom in my country," said the envoy, "when a +cup is once given into an ambassador's hands, never to receive it back +again." Dara was still more amused by this explanation, and presented to +him another cup, and successively four, which the envoy did not fail to +appropriate severally in the same way. In the evening a feast was held, +and Sikander partook of the delicious refreshments that had been +prepared for him; but in the midst of the entertainment one of the +persons present recognized him, and immediately whispered to Dara that +his enemy was in his power. + + Sikander's sharp and cautious eye now marked + The changing scene, and up he sprang, but first + Snatched the four cups, and rushing from the tent, + Vaulted upon his horse, and rode away. + So instantaneous was the act, amazed + The assembly rose, and presently a troop + Was ordered in pursuit--but night, dark night, + Baffled their search, and checked their eager speed. + +As soon as he reached his own army, he sent for Aristatalis and his +courtiers, and exultingly displayed to them the four golden cups. +"These," said he, "have I taken from my enemy, I have taken them from +his own table, and before his own eyes. His strength and numbers too I +have ascertained, and my success is certain." No time was now lost in +arrangements for the battle. The armies engaged, and they fought seven +days without a decisive blow being struck. On the eighth, Dara was +compelled to fly, and his legions, defeated and harassed, were pursued +by the Rumis with great slaughter to the banks of the Euphrates. +Sikander now returned to take possession of the capital. In the meantime +Dara collected his scattered forces together, and again tried his +fortune, but he was again defeated. After his second success, the +conqueror devoted himself so zealously to conciliate and win the +affections of the people, that they soon ceased to remember their former +king with any degree of attachment to his interests. Sikander said to +them: "Persia indeed is my inheritance: I am no stranger to you, for I +am myself descended from Darab; you may therefore safely trust to my +justice and paternal care, in everything that concerns your welfare." +The result was, that legion after legion united in his cause, and +consolidated his power. + +When Dara was informed of the universal disaffection of his army, he +said to the remaining friends who were personally devoted to him: "Alas! +my subjects have been deluded by the artful dissimulation and skill of +Sikander; your next misfortune will be the captivity of your wives and +children. Yes, your wives and children will be made the slaves of the +conquerors." A few troops, still faithful to their unfortunate king, +offered to make another effort against the enemy, and Dara was too +grateful and too brave to discountenance their enthusiastic fidelity, +though with such little chance of success. A fragment of an army was +consequently brought into action, and the result was what had been +anticipated. Dara was again a fugitive; and after the defeat, escaped +with three hundred men into the neighboring desert. Sikander captured +his wife and family, but magnanimously restored them to the unfortunate +monarch, who, destitute of all further hope, now asked for a place of +refuge in his own dominions, and for that he offered him all the buried +treasure of his ancestors. Sikander, in reply, invited him to his +presence; and promised to restore him to his throne, that he might +himself be enabled to pursue other conquests; but Dara refused to go, +although advised by his nobles to accept the invitation. "I am willing +to put myself to death," said he with emotion, "but I cannot submit to +this degradation. I cannot go before him, and thus personally +acknowledge his authority over me." Resolved upon this point, he wrote +to Faur, one of the sovereigns of Ind, to request his assistance, and +Faur recommended that he should pay him a visit for the purpose of +concerting what measures should be adopted. This correspondence having +come to the knowledge of Sikander, he took care that his enemy should be +intercepted in whatever direction he might proceed. + +Dara had two ministers, named Mahiyar and Jamusipar, who, finding that +according to the predictions of the astrologers their master would in a +few days fall into the hands of Sikander, consulted together, and +thought they had better put him to death themselves, in order that they +might get into favor with Sikander. It was night, and the soldiers of +the escort were dispersed at various distances, and the vizirs were +stationed on each side of the king. As they travelled on, Jamusipar took +an opportunity of plunging his dagger into Dara's side, and Mahiyar gave +another blow, which felled the monarch to the ground. They immediately +sent the tidings of this event to Sikander, who hastened to the spot, +and the opening daylight presented to his view the wounded king. + + Dismounting quickly, he in sorrow placed + The head of Dara on his lap, and wept + In bitterness of soul, to see that form + Mangled with ghastly wounds. + +Dara still breathed; and when he lifted up his eyes and beheld Sikander, +he groaned deeply. Sikander said, "Rise up, that we may convey thee to a +place of safety, and apply the proper remedies to thy wounds."--"Alas!" +replied Dara, "the time for remedies is past. I leave thee to Heaven, +and may thy reign give peace and happiness to the empire."--"Never," +said Sikander, "never did I desire to see thee thus mangled and +fallen--never to witness this sight! If the Almighty should spare thy +life, thou shalt again be the monarch of Persia, and I will go from +hence. On my mother's word, thou and I are sons of the same father. It +is this brotherly affection which now wrings my heart!" Saying this, the +tears chased each other down his cheeks in such abundance that they fell +upon the face of Dara. Again, he said, "Thy murderers shall meet with +merited vengeance, they shall be punished to the uttermost." Dara +blessed him, and said, "My end is approaching, but thy sweet discourse +and consoling kindness have banished all my grief. I shall now die with +a mind at rest. Weep no more-- + + "My course is finished, thine is scarce begun; + But hear my dying wish, my last request: + Preserve the honour of my family, + Preserve it from disgrace. I have a daughter + Dearer to me than life, her name is Roshung; + Espouse her, I beseech thee--and if Heaven + Should bless thee with a boy, O! let his name be + Isfendiyar, that he may propagate + With zeal the sacred doctrines of Zerdusht, + The Zendavesta, then my soul will be + Happy in Heaven; and he, at Nau-ruz tide, + Will also hold the festival I love, + And at the altar light the Holy Fire; + Nor will he cease his labour, till the faith + Of Lohurasp be everywhere accepted, + And everywhere believed the true religion." + +Sikander promised that he would assuredly fulfil the wishes he had +expressed, and then Dara placed the palm of his brother's hand on his +mouth, and shortly afterwards expired. Sikander again wept bitterly, and +then the body was placed on a golden couch, and he attended it in sorrow +to the grave. + +After the burial of Dara, the two ministers, Jamusipar and Mahiyar, were +brought near the tomb, and executed upon the dar. + + Just vengeance upon the guilty head, + For they their generous monarch's blood had shed. + +Sikander had now no rival to the throne of Persia, and he commenced his +government under the most favorable auspices. He continued the same +customs and ordinances which were handed down to him, and retained every +one in his established rank and occupation. He gladdened the heart by +his justice and liberality. Keeping in mind his promise to Dara, he now +wrote to the mother of Roshung, and communicating to her the dying +solicitations of the king, requested her to send Roshung to him, that he +might fulfil the last wish of his brother. The wife of Dara immediately +complied with the command, and sent her daughter with various presents +to Sikander, and she was on her arrival married to the conqueror, +acceding to the customs and laws of the empire. Sikander loved her +exceedingly, and on her account remained some time in Persia, but he at +length determined to proceed into Ind to conquer that country of +enchanters and enchantment. + +On approaching Ind he wrote to Kaid, summoning him to surrender his +kingdom, and received from him the following answer: "I will certainly +submit to thy authority, but I have four things which no other person in +the world possesses, and which I cannot relinquish. I have a daughter, +beautiful as an angel of Paradise, a wise minister, a skilful physician, +and a goblet of inestimable value!" Upon receiving this extraordinary +reply, Sikander again addressed a letter to him, in which he +peremptorily required all these things immediately. Kaid not daring to +refuse, or make any attempt at evasion, reluctantly complied with the +requisition. Sikander received the minister and the physician with great +politeness and attention, and in the evening held a splendid feast, at +which he espoused the beautiful daughter of Kaid, and taking the goblet +from her hands, drank off the wine with which it was filled. After that, +Kaid himself waited upon Sikander, and personally acknowledged his +authority and dominion. + +Sikander then proceeded to claim the allegiance and homage of Faur, the +king of Kanuj, and wrote to him to submit to his power; but Faur +returned a haughty answer, saying:-- + + "Kaid Indi is a coward to obey thee, + But I am Faur, descended from a race + Of matchless warriors; and shall I submit, + And to a Greek!" + +Sikander was highly incensed at this bold reply. The force he had now +with him amounted to eighty thousand men; that is, thirty thousand +Iranians, forty thousand Rumis, and ten thousand Indis. Faur had sixty +thousand horsemen, and two thousand elephants. The troops of Sikander +were greatly terrified at the sight of so many elephants, which gave the +enemy such a tremendous superiority. Aristatalis, and some other +ingenious counsellors, were requested to consult together to contrive +some means of counteracting the power of the war-elephants, and they +suggested the construction of an iron horse, and the figure of a rider +also of iron, to be placed upon wheels like a carriage, and drawn by a +number of horses. A soldier, clothed in iron armor, was to follow the +vehicle--his hands and face besmeared with combustible matter, and this +soldier, armed with a long staff, was at an appointed signal, to pierce +the belly of the horse and also of the rider, previously filled with +combustibles, so that when the ignited point came in contact with them, +the whole engine would make a tremendous explosion and blaze in the air. +Sikander approved of this invention, and collected all the blacksmiths +and artisans in the country to construct a thousand machines of this +description with the utmost expedition, and as soon as they were +completed, he prepared for action. Faur too pushed forward with his two +thousand elephants in advance; but when the Kanujians beheld such a +formidable array they were surprised, and Faur anxiously inquired from +his spies what it could be. Upon being told that it was Sikander's +artillery, his troops pushed the elephants against the enemy with vigor, +at which moment the combustibles were fired by the Rumis, and the +machinery exploding, many elephants were burnt and destroyed, and the +remainder, with the troops, fled in confusion. Sikander then encountered +Faur, and after a severe contest, slew him, and became ruler of the +kingdom of Kanuj. + +After the conquest of Kanuj, Sikander went to Mekka, carrying thither +rich presents and offerings. From thence he proceeded to another city, +where he was received with great homage by the most illustrious of the +nation. He enquired of them if there was anything wonderful or +extraordinary in their country, that he might go to see it, and they +replied that there were two trees in the kingdom, one a male, the other +a female, from which a voice proceeded. The male-tree spoke in the day, +and the female-tree in the night, and whoever had a wish, went thither +to have his desires accomplished. Sikander immediately repaired to the +spot, and approaching it, he hoped in his heart that a considerable part +of his life still remained to be enjoyed. When he came under the tree, a +terrible sound arose and rung in his ears, and he asked the people +present what it meant. The attendant priest said it implied that +fourteen years of his life still remained. Sikander, at this +interpretation of the prophetic sound, wept and the burning tears ran +down his cheeks. Again he asked, "Shall I return to Rum, and see my +mother and children before I die?" and the answer was, "Thou wilt die at +Kashan.[51] + + "Nor mother, nor thy family at home + Wilt thou behold again, for thou wilt die, + Closing thy course of glory at Kashan." + +Sikander left the place in sorrow, and pursued his way towards Rum. In +his progress he arrived at another city, and the inhabitants gave him +the most honorable welcome, representing to him, however, that they were +dreadfully afflicted by the presence of two demons or giants, who +constantly assailed them in the night, devouring men and goats and +whatever came in their way. Sikander asked their names; and they +replied, Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog). He immediately ordered a +barrier to be erected five hundred yards high, and three hundred yards +wide, and when it was finished he went away. The giants, notwithstanding +all their efforts, were unable to scale this barrier, and in consequence +the inhabitants pursued their occupations without the fear of +molestation. + + To scenes of noble daring still he turned + His ardent spirit--for he knew not fear. + Still he led on his legions--and now came + To a strange place, where countless numbers met + His wondering view--countless inhabitants + Crowding the city streets, and neighbouring plains; + And in the distance presently he saw + A lofty mountain reaching to the stars. + Onward proceeding, at its foot he found + A guardian-dragon, terrible in form, + Ready with open jaws to crush his victim; + But unappalled, Sikander him beholding + With steady eye, which scorned to turn aside, + Sprang forward, and at once the monster slew. + + Ascending then the mountain, many a ridge, + Oft resting on the way, he reached the summit, + Where the dead corse of an old saint appeared + Wrapt in his grave-clothes, and in gems imbedded. + In gold and precious jewels glittering round, + Seeming to show what man is, mortal man! + Wealth, worldly pomp, the baubles of ambition, + All left behind, himself a heap of dust! + + None ever went upon that mountain top, + But sought for knowledge; and Sikander hoped + When he had reached its cloudy eminence, + To see the visions of futurity + Arise from that departed, holy man! + And soon he heard a voice: "Thy time is nigh! + Yet may I thy career on earth unfold. + It will be thine to conquer many a realm, + Win many a crown; thou wilt have many friends + And numerous foes, and thy devoted head + Will be uplifted to the very heavens. + Renowned and glorious shalt thou be; thy name + Immortal; but, alas! thy time is nigh!" + At these prophetic words Sikander wept, + And from that ominous mountain hastened down. + +After that Sikander journeyed on to the city of Kashan, where he fell +sick, and in a few days, according to the oracle and the prophecy, +expired. He had scarcely breathed his last, when Aristu, and Bilniyas +the physician, and his family, entered Kashan, and found him dead. They +beat their faces, and tore their hair, and mourned for him forty days. + + + +FIRDUSI'S INVOCATION + + Thee I invoke, the Lord of Life and Light! + Beyond imagination pure and bright! + To thee, sufficing praise no tongue can give, + We are thy creatures, and in thee we live! + Thou art the summit, depth, the all in all, + Creator, Guardian of this earthly ball; + Whatever is, thou art--Protector, King, + From thee all goodness, truth, and mercy spring. + O pardon the misdeeds of him who now + Bends in thy presence with a suppliant brow. + Teach them to tread the path thy Prophet trod; + To wash his heart from sin, to know his God; + And gently lead him to that home of rest, + Where filled with holiest rapture dwell the blest. + + Saith not that book divine, from Heaven supplied, + "Mustafa is the true, the unerring guide, + The purest, greatest Prophet!" Next him came + Wise Abu Buker, of unblemished name; + Then Omer taught the faith, unknown to guile, + And made the world with vernal freshness smile; + Then Othman brave th' imperial priesthood graced; + All, led by him, the Prophet's faith embraced. + The fourth was Ali; he, the spouse adored + Of Fatima, then spread the saving word. + Ali, of whom Mahommed spoke elate, + "I am the city of knowledge--he my gate." + Ali the blest. Whoever shall recline + A supplicant at his all-powerful shrine, + Enjoys both this life and the next; in this, + All earthly good, in that, eternal bliss! + + From records true my legends I rehearse, + And string the pearls of wisdom in my verse, + That in the glimmering days of life's decline, + Its fruits, in wealth and honor, may be mine. + My verse, a structure pointing to the skies; + Whose solid strength destroying time defies. + All praise the noble work, save only those + Of impious life, or base malignant foes; + All blest with learning read, and read again, + The sovereign smiles, and thus approves my strain: + "Richer by far, Firdusi, than a mine + Of precious gems, is this bright lay of thine." + Centuries may pass away, but still my page + Will be the boast of each succeeding age. + + Praise, praise to Mahmud, who of like renown, + In battle or the banquet, fills the throne; + Lord of the realms of Chin and Hindustan, + Sovereign and Lord of Persia and Turan, + With his loud voice he rends the flintiest ear; + On land a tiger fierce, untouched by fear, + And on the wave, he seems the crocodile + That prowls amidst the waters of the Nile. + Generous and brave, his equal is unknown; + In deeds of princely worth he stands alone. + The infant in the cradle lisps his name; + The world exults in Mahmud's spotless fame. + In festive hours Heaven smiles upon his truth; + In combat deadly as the dragon's tooth; + Bounteous in all things, his exhaustless hand + Diffuses blessings through the grateful land; + And, of the noblest thoughts and actions, lord; + The soul of Gabriel breathes in every word, + May Heaven with added glory crown his days; + Praise, praise to mighty Mahmud--everlasting praise! + + + +FIRDUSI'S SATIRE ON MAHMUD + + Know, tyrant as thou art, this earthly state + Is not eternal, but of transient date; + Fear God, then, and afflict not human-kind; + To merit Heaven, be thou to Heaven resigned. + Afflict not even the Ant; though weak and small, + It breathes and lives, and life is sweet to all. + Knowing my temper, firm, and stern, and bold, + Didst thou not, tyrant, tremble to behold + My sword blood-dropping? Hadst thou not the sense + To shrink from giving man like me offence? + What could impel thee to an act so base? + What, but to earn and prove thy own disgrace? + Why was I sentenced to be trod upon, + And crushed to death by elephants? By one + Whose power I scorn! Couldst thou presume that I + Would be appalled by thee, whom I defy? + I am the lion, I, inured to blood, + And make the impious and the base my food; + And I could grind thy limbs, and spread them far + As Nile's dark waters their rich treasures bear. + Fear thee! I fear not man, but God alone, + I only bow to his Almighty throne. + Inspired by Him my ready numbers flow; + Guarded by Him I dread no earthly foe. + Thus in the pride of song I pass my days, + Offering to Heaven my gratitude and praise. + + From every trace of sense and feeling free, + When thou art dead, what will become of thee? + If thou shouldst tear me limb from limb, and cast + My dust and ashes to the angry blast, + Firdusi still would live, since on thy name, + Mahmud, I did not rest my hopes of fame + In the bright page of my heroic song, + But on the God of Heaven, to whom belong + Boundless thanksgivings, and on Him whose love + Supports the Faithful in the realms above, + The mighty Prophet! none who e'er reposed + On Him, existence without hope has closed. + + And thou wouldst hurl me underneath the tread + Of the wild elephant, till I were dead! + Dead! by that insult roused, I should become + An elephant in power, and seal thy doom-- + Mahmud! if fear of man hath never awed + Thy heart, at least fear thy Creator, God. + Full many a warrior of illustrious worth, + Full many of humble, of imperial birth: + Tur, Silim, Jemshid, Minuchihr the brave, + Have died; for nothing had the power to save + These mighty monarchs from the common doom; + They died, but blest in memory still they bloom. + Thus kings too perish--none on earth remain, + Since all things human seek the dust again. + + O, had thy father graced a kingly throne, + Thy mother been for royal virtues known, + A different fate the poet then had shared, + Honors and wealth had been his just reward; + But how remote from thee a glorious line! + No high, ennobling ancestry is thine; + From a vile stock thy bold career began, + A Blacksmith was thy sire of Isfahan. + Alas! from vice can goodness ever spring? + Is mercy hoped for in a tyrant king? + Can water wash the Ethiopian white? + Can we remove the darkness from the night? + The tree to which a bitter fruit is given, + Would still be bitter in the bowers of Heaven; + And a bad heart keeps on its vicious course; + Or if it changes, changes for the worse; + Whilst streams of milk, where Eden's flowrets blow, + Acquire more honied sweetness as they flow. + The reckless king who grinds the poor like thee, + Must ever be consigned to infamy! + + Now mark Firdusi's strain, his Book of Kings + Will ever soar upon triumphant wings. + All who have listened to its various lore + Rejoice, the wise grow wiser than before; + Heroes of other times, of ancient days, + Forever flourish in my sounding lays; + Have I not sung of Kaus, Tus, and Giw; + Of matchless Rustem, faithful, still, and true. + Of the great Demon-binder, who could throw + His kamund to the Heavens, and seize his foe! + Of Husheng, Feridun, and Sam Suwar, + Lohurasp, Kai-khosrau, and Isfendiyar; + Gushtasp, Arjasp, and him of mighty name, + Gudarz, with eighty sons of martial fame! + + The toil of thirty years is now complete, + Record sublime of many a warlike feat, + Written midst toil and trouble, but the strain + Awakens every heart, and will remain + A lasting stimulus to glorious deeds; + For even the bashful maid, who kindling reads, + Becomes a warrior. Thirty years of care, + Urged on by royal promise, did I bear, + And now, deceived and scorned, the aged bard + Is basely cheated of his pledged reward! + + + +[FOOTNOTES to the SHAH NAMEH] + +[Footnote 1: Love at first sight, and of the most enthusiastic kind, is +the passion described in all Persian poems, as if a whole life of love +were condensed into one moment. It is all wild and rapturous. It has +nothing of a rational cast. A casual glance from an unknown beauty often +affords the subject of a poem. The poets whom Dr. Johnson has +denominated metaphysical, such as Donne, Jonson, and Cowley, bear a +strong resemblance to the Persians on the subject of love. + + Now, sure, within this twelvemonth past, + I've loved at least some twenty years or more; + Th' account of love runs much more fast, + Than that with which our life does score: + So, though my life be short, yet I may prove, + The Great Methusalem of love!!! + "Love and Life."--Cowley. + +The odes of Hafiz also, with all their spirit and richness of +expression, abound in conceit and extravagant metaphor. There is, +however, something very beautiful in the passage which may be +paraphrased thus: + + Zephyr thro' thy locks is straying, + Stealing fragrance, charms displaying; + Should it pass where Hafiz lies, + From his conscious dust would rise, + Flowrets of a thousand dyes!] + +[Footnote 2: Ancient Scythia embraced the whole of Turan and the +northern part of Persia. The Turanians are the Scythians of the Greek +Historians, who are said, about the year B.C. 639, to have invaded the +kingdom of the Medes. + +Turan, which is the ancient name of the country of Turkistan, appears +from Des Guignes, to be the source and fountain of all the celebrated +Scythian nations, which, under the name of Goths and Vandals, +subsequently overran the Roman empire. Iran and Turan, according to the +Oriental historians, comprehended all that is comprised in upper Asia, +with the exception of India and China. Every country beyond the pale of +the Persian empire was considered barbarous. The great river called by +the Arabs and Persians, Jihun or Amu, and by the Greeks and Romans, +Oxus, divided these two great countries from each other.] + +[Footnote 3: Sam, Sam Suwar, was the son of Nariman. He is said to have +vanquished or tamed a great number of animals and terrible monsters, +amongst which was one remarkable for its ferocity. This furious animal +was called Soham, on account of its being of the color and nature of +fire. According to fabulous history, he made it his war-horse, in all +his engagements against the Demons.] + +[Footnote 4: The sex of this fabulous animal is not clearly made out! It +tells Zal that it had nursed him like a _father_, and therefore I have, +in this place, adopted the masculine gender, though the preserver of +young ones might authorize its being considered a female. The Simurgh is +probably neither one nor the other, or both! Some have likened the +Simurgh to the Ippogrif or Griffin; but the Simurgh is plainly a biped; +others again have supposed that the fable simply meant a holy recluse of +the mountains, who nourished and educated the poor child which had been +abandoned by its father.] + +[Footnote 5: This custom is derived from the earliest ages of Persia, +and has been continued down to the present times with no abatement of +its pomp or splendor Mr. Morier thus speaks of the progress of the +Embassy to Persia:-- + + "An Istakbal composed of fifty horsemen of our Mehmandar's tribe, + met us about three miles from our encampment; they were succeeded as + we advanced by an assemblage on foot, who threw a glass vessel + filled with sweetmeats beneath the Envoy's horse, a ceremony which + we had before witnessed at Kauzeroon, and which we again understood + to be an honor shared with the King and his sons alone. Then came + two of the principal merchants of Shiraz, accompanied by a boy, the + son of Mahomed Nebee Khan, the new Governor of Bushere. They, + however, incurred the Envoy's displeasure by not dismounting from + their horses, a form always observed in Persia by those of lower + rank, when they met a superior. We were thus met by three Istakbals + during the course of the day."] + +[Footnote 6: The province of Mazinderan, of which the principal city is +Amol, comprehends the whole of the southern coast of the Caspian sea. It +was known to the ancients by the name of Hyrcania. At the period to +which the text refers, the country was in the possession of demons.] + +[Footnote 7: The fort called Killah Suffeed, lies about seventy-six +miles northwest of the city of Shiraz. It is of an oblong form, and +encloses a level space at the top of the mountain, which is covered with +delightful verdure, and watered by numerous springs. The ascent is near +three miles, and for the last five or six hundred yards, the summit is +so difficult of approach, that the slightest opposition, if well +directed, must render it impregnable.] + +[Footnote 8: The numerical strength of the Persian and Turanian forces +appears prodigious on all occasions, but nothing when compared with the +army under Xerxes at Thermopylae, which, with the numerous retinue of +servants, eunuchs, and women that attended it, is said to have amounted +to no less than 5,283,220 souls.] + +[Footnote 9: Herodotus speaks of a people confederated with the army of +Xerxes, who employed the noose. "Their principal dependence in action is +upon cords made of twisted leather, which they use in this manner: when +they engage an enemy, they throw out these cords, having a noose at the +extremity; if they entangle in them either horse or man, they without +difficulty put them to death."--Beloe's transl. Polymnia, Sec. 85.] + +[Footnote 10: Istakhar, also called Persepolis, and Chehel-minar, or the +Forty Pillars. This city was said to have been laid in ruins by +Alexander after the conquest of Darius.] + +[Footnote 11: Kai-kaus, the second King of Persia of the dynasty called +Kaianides. He succeeded Kai-kobad, about six hundred years B.C. +According to Firdusi he was a foolish tyrannical prince. He appointed +Rustem captain-general of the armies, to which the lieutenant-generalship +and the administration of the state was annexed, under the title of "the +champion of the world." He also gave him a taj, or crown of gold, which +kings only were accustomed to wear, and granted him the privilege of +giving audience seated on a throne of gold. It is said that Kai-kaus +applied himself much to the study of astronomy, and that he founded two +great observatories, the one at Babel, and the other on the Tigris.] + +[Footnote 12: The armor called Burgustuwan almost covered the horse, and +as usually made of leather and felt-cloth.] + +[Footnote 13: In this hunting excursion he is completely armed, being +supplied with spear, sword, shield, mace, bow and arrows. Like the +knight-errants of after times, he seldom even slept unarmed. Single +combat and the romantic enterprises of European Chivalry may indeed be +traced to the East. Rustem was a most illustrious example of all that is +pious, disinterested, and heroic. The adventure now describing is highly +characteristic of a chivalrous age. In the Dissertation prefixed to +Richardson's Dictionary, mention is made of a famous Arabian +Knight-errant called Abu Mahommud Albatal, "who wandered everywhere in +quest of adventures, and redressing grievances. He was killed in the +year 738."] + +[Footnote 14: As a proof of her innocence Tahmineh declares to Rustem, +"No person has ever seen me out of my private chamber, or even heard the +sound of my voice." It is but just to remark, that the seclusion in +which women of rank continue in Persia, and other parts of the East, is +not, by them, considered intolerable, or even a hardship. Custom has not +only rendered it familiar, but happy. It has nothing of the unprofitable +severity of the cloister. The Zenanas are supplied with everything that +can please and gratify a reasonable wish, and it is well known that the +women of the East have influence and power, more flattering and solid, +than the free unsecluded beauties of the Western world.] + +[Footnote 15: In Percy's Collection, there is an old song which contains +a similar idea. + + You meaner beauties of the night, + That poorly satisfie our eies, + More by your number, than your light; + You common people of the skies, + What are you when the Moon shall rise? + + SIR HENRY WOTTON.] + +[Footnote 16: Kus is a tymbal, or large brass drum, which is beat in the +palaces or camps of Eastern Princes.] + +[Footnote 17: It appears throughout the Shah Nameh that whenever any +army was put in motion, the inhabitants and the country, whether hostile +or friendly, were equally given up to plunder and devastation, and +"Everything in their progress was burnt and destroyed."] + +[Footnote 18: Literally, Human was not at first aware that Sohrab was +wounded in the LIVER. In this organ, Oriental as well as the Greek and +Roman poets, place the residence of love.] + +[Footnote 19: The paper upon which the letters of royal and +distinguished personages in the East are written is usually perfumed, +and covered with curious devices in gold. This was scented with amber. +The degree of embellishment is generally regulated according to the rank +of the party.] + +[Footnote 20: Four days were consumed in uninterrupted feasting. This +seems to have been an ancient practice previous to the commencement of +any important undertaking, or at setting out on a journey.] + +[Footnote 21: Zuara, it will be remembered, was the brother of Rustem, +and had the immediate superintendence of the Zabul troops.] + +[Footnote 22: The original is, "Seize and inflict upon him the +punishment of the dar." According to Burhani-katia, dar is a tree upon +which felons are hanged. But the general acceptation of the term is +breaking or tearing the body upon a stake.] + +[Footnote 23: In this speech Rustem recounts the services which he had +performed for Kaus. He speaks of his conquests in Egypt, China, +Hamaveran, Rum, Suk-sar, and Mazinderan. Thus Achilles boasts of his +unrequited achievements in the cause of Greece. + + The warriors now, with sad forebodings wrung, + I sacked twelve ample cities on the main, + And twelve lay smoking on the Trojan plain. + + POPE.--Iliad ix. 328.] + +[Footnote 24: Literally, "Kings ought to be endowed with judgment and +discretion; no advantage can arise from impetuosity and rage." Gudarz +was one of the greatest generals of Persia, he conquered Judea, and took +Jerusalem under the reign of Lohurasp, of the first dynasty of Persia, +and sustained many wars against Afrasiyab under the Kings of the second +dynasty. He was the father of Giw, who is also celebrated for his valor +in the following reigns. The opinion of this venerable and distinguished +warrior appears to have had considerable weight and influence with +Kaus.] + +[Footnote 25: Kaus, in acknowledging the violence Of his disposition, +uses a singular phrase: "When you departed in anger, Champion! I +repented; ashes fell into my mouth." A similar metaphor is used in +Hindustani: If a person falls under the displeasure of his friend, he +says, "Ashes have fallen into my meat": meaning, that his happiness is +gone.] + +[Footnote 26: This is one of Firdusi's favorite similes. + + "My heart became as slender as the new moon."] + +[Footnote 27: The beautiful arbors referred to in the text are often +included within the walls of Eastern palaces. They are fancifully fitted +up, and supplied with reservoirs, fountains, and flower-trees. These +romantic garden-pavilions are called Kiosks in Turkey, and are generally +situated upon an eminence near a running stream.] + +[Footnote 28: Milton alludes to this custom in Paradise Lost: + + Where the gorgeous east with richest hand + Showers on her Kings barbaric pearl and gold. + +In the note on this passage by Warburton, it is said to have been an +eastern ceremony, at the coronation of their Kings, to powder them with +gold-dust and seed-pearl. The expression in Firdusi is, "he showered or +scattered gems." It was usual at festivals, and the custom still exists, +to throw money amongst the people. In Hafiz, the term used is nisar, +which is of the same import. Clarke, in the second volume of his +Travels, speaks of the four principal Sultanas of the Seraglio at +Constantinople being powdered with diamonds: + + "Long spangled robes, open in front, with pantaloons embroidered in + gold and silver, and covered by a profusion of pearls and precious + stones, displayed their persons to great advantage. Their hair hung in + loose and very thick tresses on each side of their cheeks, falling + quite down to the waist, and covering their shoulders behind. Those + tresses were quite powdered with diamonds, not displayed according to + any studied arrangement, but as if carelessly scattered, by handfuls, + among their flowing locks." + +--Vol. ii. p. 14.] + +[Footnote 29: In his descriptions of battle-array, Firdusi seldom omits +"golden slippers," which, however, I have not preserved in this place.] + +[Footnote 30: The original is Sandur[=u]s, sandaraca; for which I have +substituted amber, Sandur[=u]s is the Arabic name for Gum Juniper.] + +[Footnote 31: The banners were adorned with the figure of an elephant, +to denote his royal descent.] + +[Footnote 32: The text says that he was also the son-in-law of Rustem.] + +[Footnote 33: The word Guraz signifies a wild boar, but this acceptation +is not very accordant to Mussulman notions, and consequently it is not +supposed, by the orthodox, to have that meaning in the text. It is +curious that the name of the warrior, Guraz, should correspond with the +bearings on the standard. This frequently obtains in the heraldry of +Europe. Family bearings seem to be used in every country of any degree +of civilization. Krusenstern, the Russian circumnavigator, speaking of +the Japanese, says, "Everyone has his family arms worked into his +clothes, in different places, about the size of a half dollar, a +practice usual to both sexes; and in this manner any person may be +recognized, and the family to which he belongs easily ascertained. A +young lady wears her father's arms until after her marriage, when she +assumes those of her husband. The greatest mark of honor which a Prince +or a Governor can confer upon any one, is to give him a cloak with his +arms upon it, the person having such a one wearing his own arms upon his +under dress."] + +[Footnote 34: Firdusi considers this to be destiny! It would have been +natural in Sohrab to have gloried in the fame of his father, but from an +inevitable dispensation, his lips are here sealed on that subject; and +he inquires of Rustem as if he only wanted to single him out for the +purpose of destroying him. The people of Persia are all fatalists.] + +[Footnote 35: This passage will remind the classical reader of the +speech of Themistocles, in Plutarch, addressed to Xerxes. The Persian +King had assured him of his protection, and ordered him to declare +freely whatever he had to propose concerning Greece. Themistocles +replied, that a man's discourse was like a piece of tapestry which, when +spread open, displays its figures; but when it is folded up, they are +hidden and lost; therefore he begged time. The King, delighted with the +comparison, bade him take what time he pleased; and he desired a year; +in which space he learned the Persian language, so as to be able to +converse with the King without an interpreter.] + +[Footnote 36: Hujir was the son of Gudarz. A family of the extent +mentioned in the text is not of rare occurrence amongst the Princes of +the East. The King of Persia had, in 1809, according to Mr. Morier, +"sixty-five sons!" As the Persians make no account of females, it is not +known how many daughters he had.] + +[Footnote 37: The Kulub-gah is the centre or heart of the army, where +the Sovereign or Chief of the troops usually remains.] + +[Footnote 38: Ahirmun, a demon, the principle of evil.] + +[Footnote 39: This girdle was the gift of the king, as a token of +affection and gratitude. Jonathan gives to David, among other things, +his girdle: "Because he loved him as his own soul."--I Samuel, xviii. 3. +4.] + +[Footnote 40: A crocodile in war, with Firdusi, is a figure of great +power and strength.] + +[Footnote 41: It is difficult to account for this denial of his name, as +there appears to be no equivalent cause. But all the famous heroes, +described in the Shah Nameh, are as much distinguished for their address +and cunning, as their bravery.] + +[Footnote 42: The original is Um[=u]d, which appears to have been a +weapon made of iron. Um[=u]d also signifies a column, a beam.] + +[Footnote 43: Thus also Sa'di "Knowest thou What Zal said to Rustem the +Champion? Never calculate upon the weakness or insignificance of an +enemy."] + +[Footnote 44: Rustem is as much distinguished for piety as bravery. +Every success is attributed by him to the favor of Heaven. In the +achievement of his labors in the Heft-Khan, his devotion is constant and +he everywhere justly acknowledges that power and victory are derived +from God alone.] + +[Footnote 45: The expression in the original is remarkable. "Assuredly, +as thou hast thirsted for blood, Destiny will also thirst for thine, and +the very hairs upon thy body will become daggers to destroy thee." This +passage is quoted in the preface to the Shah Nameh, collated by order of +Bayisunghur Khan, as the production of the poet Unsari. Unsari was one +of the seven poets whom Mahmud appointed to give specimens of their +powers in versifying the History of the Kings of Persia. The story of +Rustem and Sohrab fell to Unsari, and his arrangement of it contained +the above verses, which so delighted the Sultan that he directed the +poet to undertake the whole work. This occurred before Firdusi was +introduced at Court and eclipsed every competitor. In compliment to +Mahmud, perhaps he ingrafted them on his own poem, or more probably they +have been interpolated since.] + +[Footnote 46: Jemshid's glory and misfortunes, as said before, are the +constant theme of admiration and reflection amongst the poets of +Persia.] + +[Footnote 47: These medicated draughts are often mentioned in Romances. +The reader will recollect the banter upon them in Don Quixote, where the +Knight of La enumerates to Sancho the cures which had been performed +upon many valorous champions, covered with wounds. The Hindus, in their +books on medicine, talk of drugs for the recovery of the dead!] + +[Footnote 48: Zuara conducted the troops of Afrasiyab across the Jihun. +Rustem remained on the field of battle till his return.] + +[Footnote 49: Manijeh was the daughter of Afrasiyab.] + +[Footnote 50: Theocritus introduces a Greek singing-girl in Idyllium xv, +at the festival of Adonis. In the Arabian Nights, the Caliph is +represented at his feasts surrounded by troops of the most beautiful +females playing on various instruments.] + +[Footnote 51: Kashan is here made to be the deathplace of Alexander, +whilst, according to the Greek historians, he died suddenly at Babylon, +as foretold by the magicians, on the 21st of April, B.C. 323, in the +thirty-second year of his age.] + + + + + + +THE RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM + +[_Translation by Edward Fitzgerald_] + + + +Introduction + +It is seldom that we come across a poem which it is impossible to +classify in accordance with European standards. Yet such a poem is +Omar's "Rubaiyat." If elegiac poetry is the expression of subjective +emotion, sentiment, and thought, we might class this Persian masterpiece +as elegy; but an elegy is a sustained train of connected imagery and +reflection. The "Rubaiyat" is, on the other hand, a string of quatrains, +each of which has all the complete and independent significance of an +epigram. Yet there is so little of that lightness which should +characterize an epigram that we can scarcely put Omar in the same +category with Martial, and it is easy to understand why the author +should have been contented to name his book the "Rubaiyat," or +Quatrains, leaving it to each individual to make, if he chooses, a more +definite description of the work. To English readers, Mr. Edward +Fitzgerald's version of the poem has provided one of the most masterly +translations that was ever made from an Oriental classic. For Omar, like +Hafiz, is one of the most Persian of Persian writers. There is in this +volume all the gorgeousness of the East: all the luxury of the most +refined civilization. Omar's bowers are always full of roses; the notes +of the nightingale tremble through his stanzas. The intoxication of wine +and the bright eyes of lovely women are ever present to his mind. The +feast, the revel, the joys of love, and the calm satisfaction of +appetite make up the grosser elements in his song. But the prevailing +note of his music is that of deep and settled melancholy, breaking out +occasionally into words of misanthropy and despair. The keenness and +intensity of this poet's style seem to be inspired by an ever-present +fear of death. This sense of approaching Fate is never absent from him, +even in his most genial moments; and the strange fascination which he +exercises over his readers is largely due to the thrilling sweetness of +some passage which ends in a note of dejection and anguish. + +Strange to say, Omar was the greatest mathematician of his day. The +exactness of his fine and analytic mind is reflected in the exquisite +finish, the subtile wit, the delicate descriptive touches, that abound +in his Quatrains. His verses hang together like gems of the purest water +exquisitely cut and clasped by "jacinth work of subtlest jewelry." But +apart from their masterly technique, these Quatrains exhibit in their +general tone the revolt of a clear intellect from the prevailing bigotry +and fanaticism of an established religion. There is in the poet's mind +the lofty indignation of one who sees, in its true light, the narrowness +of an ignorant and hypocritical clergy, yet can find no solid ground on +which to build up for himself a theory of supernaturalism, illumined by +hope. Yet there are traces of Mysticism in his writings, which only +serve to emphasize his profound longing for some knowledge of the +invisible, and his foreboding that the grave is the "be-all" and +"end-all" of life. The poet speaks in tones of bitterest lamentation +when he sees succumb to Fate all that is bright and fresh and beautiful. +At his brightest moments he gives expression to a vague pantheism, but +all his views of the power that lies behind life are obscured and +perturbed by sceptical despondency. He is the great man of science, who, +like other men of genius too deeply immersed in the study of natural law +or abstract reasoning, has lost all touch with that great world of +spiritual things which we speak of as religion, and which we can only +come in contact with through those instinctive emotions which scientific +analysis very often does so much to stifle. There are many men of +science who, like Darwin, have come, through the study of material +phenomena in nature, to a condition of mind which is indifferent in +matters of religion. But the remarkable feature in the case of Omar is +that he, who could see so clearly and feel so acutely, has been enabled +also to embody in a poem of imperishable beauty the opinions which he +shared with many of his contemporaries. The range of his mind can only +be measured by supposing that Sir Isaac Newton had written Manfred or +Childe Harold. But even more remarkable is what we may call the +modernity of this twelfth century Persian poet. We sometimes hear it +said that great periods of civilization end in a manifestation of +infidelity and despair. There can be no doubt that a great deal of +restlessness and misgiving characterizes the minds of to-day in regard +to all questions of religion. Europe, in the nineteenth century, +as reflected in the works of Byron, Spencer, Darwin, and Schopenhauer, +is very much in the same condition as intellectual Persia in the twelfth +century, so far as the pessimism of Omar is representative of his day. +This accounts for the wide popularity of Fitzgerald's "Rubaiyat." The +book has been read eagerly and fondly studied, as if it were a new book +of _fin du siecle_ production: the last efflorescence of intellectual +satiety, cynicism, and despair. Yet the book is eight centuries old, and +it has been the task of this seer of the East to reveal to the West the +heart-sickness under which the nations were suffering. + +Omar Khayyam--that is, Omar the tent-maker--was born in the year 1050 at +Nishapur, the little Damascus (as it is called) of Persia: famous as a +seat of learning, as a place of religion, and a centre of commerce. In +the days of Omar it was by far the most important city of Khorasan. The +poet, like his father before him, held a court office under the Vizir of +his day. It was from the stipend which he thus enjoyed that he secured +leisure for mathematical and literary work. His father had been a +khayyam, or tent-maker, and his gifted son doubtless inherited the +handicraft as well as the name; but his position at Court released him +from the drudgery of manual labor. He was thus also brought in contact +with the luxurious side of life, and became acquainted with those scenes +of pleasure which he recalls only to add poignancy to the sorrow with +which he contemplates the yesterday of life. Omar's astronomical +researches were continued for many years, and his algebra has been +translated into French: but his greatest claim to renown is based upon +his immortal Quatrains, which will always live as the best expression of +a phase of mind constantly recurring in the history of civilization, +from the days of Anaxagoras to those of Darwin and Spencer. + +E.W. + + + +OMAR KHAYYAM +By John Hay + +_Address delivered December 8, 1897, at the Dinner of the Omar Khayyam +Club, London_. + +I can never forget my emotions when I first saw Fitzgerald's +translations of the Quatrains. Keats, in his sublime ode on Chapman's +Homer, has described the sensation once for all: + + "Then felt I like some watcher of the skies + When a new planet swims into his ken." + +The exquisite beauty, the faultless form, the singular grace of those +amazing stanzas were not more wonderful than the depth and breadth of +their profound philosophy, their knowledge of life, their dauntless +courage, their serene facing of the ultimate problems of life and death. +Of course the doubt did not spare me, which has assailed many as +ignorant as I was of the literature of the East, whether it was the poet +or the translator to whom was due this splendid result. Was it, in fact, +a reproduction of an antique song, or a mystification of a great modern, +careless of fame and scornful of his time? Could it be possible that in +the eleventh century, so far away as Khorasan, so accomplished a man of +letters lived, with such distinction, such breadth, such insight, such +calm disillusions, such cheerful and jocund despair? Was this +"Weltschmerz," which we thought a malady of our day, endemic in Persia +in 1100? My doubt only lasted until I came upon a literal translation of +the Rubaiyat, and I saw that not the least remarkable quality of +Fitzgerald's poem was its fidelity to the original. + +In short, Omar was a Fitzgerald, or Fitzgerald was a reincarnation of +Omar. It was not to the disadvantage of the latter poet that he followed +so closely in the footsteps of the earlier. A man of extraordinary +genius had appeared in the world, had sung a song of incomparable beauty +and power in an environment no longer worthy of him, in a language of +narrow range; for many generations the song was virtually lost; then by +a miracle of creation, a poet, a twin-brother in the spirit to the +first, was born, who took up the forgotten poem and sang it anew with +all its original melody and force, and all the accumulated refinement of +ages of art. It seems to me idle to ask which was the greater master; +each seems greater than his work. The song is like an instrument of +precious workmanship and marvellous tone, which is worthless in common +hands, but when it falls, at long intervals, into the hands of the +supreme master, it yields a melody of transcendent enchantment to all +that have ears to hear. If we look at the sphere of influence of the +poets, there is no longer any comparison. Omar sang to a half-barbarous +province: Fitzgerald to the world. Wherever the English speech is spoken +or read, the "Rubaiyat" have taken their place as a classic. There is +not a hill post in India, nor a village in England, where there is not a +coterie to whom Omar Khayyam is a familiar friend and a bond of union. +In America he has an equal following, in many regions and conditions. In +the Eastern States his adepts form an esoteric sect; the beautiful +volume of drawings by Mr. Vedder is a centre of delight and suggestion +wherever it exists. In the cities of the West you will find the +Quatrains one of the most thoroughly read books in any club library. I +heard them quoted once in one of the most lonely and desolate spots in +the high Rockies. We had been camping on the Great Divide, our "roof of +the world," where in the space of a few feet you may see two springs, +one sending its waters to the Polar solitudes, the other to the eternal +Carib summer. One morning at sunrise, as we were breaking camp, I was +startled to hear one of our party, a frontiersman born, intoning these +words of sombre majesty:-- + + "Tis but a Tent where takes his one day's rest + A Sultan to the realm of Death addrest; + The Sultan rises, and the dark Ferrash + Strikes, and prepares it for another Guest." + +I thought that sublime setting of primeval forest and pouring canyon was +worthy of the lines; I am sure the dewless, crystalline air never +vibrated to strains of more solemn music. Certainly, our poet can never +be numbered among the great writers of all time. He has told no story; +he has never unpacked his heart in public; he has never thrown the reins +on the neck of the winged horse, and let his imagination carry him where +it listed. "Ah! the crowd must have emphatic warrant," as Browning sang. +Its suffrages are not for the cool, collected observer, whose eyes no +glitter can dazzle, no mist suffuse. The many cannot but resent that air +of lofty intelligence, that pale and subtle smile. But he will hold a +place forever among that limited number, who, like Lucretius and +Epicurus--without range or defiance, even without unbecoming mirth, look +deep into the tangled mysteries of things; refuse credence to the +absurd, and allegiance to arrogant authority; sufficiently conscious of +fallibility to be tolerant of all opinions; with a faith too wide for +doctrine and a benevolence untrammelled by creed; too wise to be wholly +poets, and yet too surely poets to be implacably wise. + + + +THE RUBAIYAT + + Wake! For the Sun, who scatter'd into flight + The Stars before him from the Field of Night, + Drives Night along with them from Heav'n, and strikes + The Sultan's Turret with a Shaft of Light. + + Before the phantom of False morning died, + Methought a Voice within the Tavern cried, + "When all the Temple is prepared within, + Why nods the drowsy Worshipper outside?" + + And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before + The Tavern shouted--"Open then the Door! + You know how little while we have to stay, + And, once departed, may return no more." + + Now the New Year reviving old Desires, + The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires, + Where the White Hand of Moses on the Bough + Puts out, and Jesus from the Ground suspires. + + Iram indeed is gone with all his Rose, + And Jemshid's Sev'n-ring'd Cup where no one knows; + But still a Ruby kindles in the Vine, + And many a Garden by the Water blows. + + And David's lips are lockt; but in divine + High-piping Pehlevi, with "Wine! Wine! Wine! + Red Wine!"--the Nightingale cries to the Rose + That sallow cheek of hers to incarnadine. + + Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring + Your Winter-garment of Repentance fling: + The Bird of Time has but a little way + To flutter--and the Bird is on the Wing. + + Whether at Nishapur or Babylon, + Whether the Cup with sweet or bitter run, + The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop, + The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one. + + Each Morn a thousand Roses brings, you say; + Yes, but where leaves the Rose of Yesterday? + And this first Summer month that brings the Rose + Shall take Jemshid and Kai-kobad away. + + Well, let it take them! What have we to do + With Kai-kobad the Great, or Kai-khosrau? + Let Zal and Rustem bluster as they will, + Or Hatim call to Supper--heed not you. + + With me along the strip of Herbage strewn + That just divides the desert from the sown, + Where name of Slave and Sultan is forgot-- + And Peace to Mahmud on his golden Throne! + + A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, + A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread--and Thou + Beside me singing in the Wilderness-- + Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow! + + Some for the Glories of This World; and some + Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come; + Ah, take the Cash, and let the Credit go, + Nor heed the rumble of a distant Drum! + + Look to the blowing Rose about us--"Lo, + Laughing," she says, "into the world I blow, + At once the silken tassel of my Purse + Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw." + + And those who husbanded the Golden grain, + And those who flung it to the winds like Rain, + Alike to no such aureate Earth are turn'd + As, buried once, Men want dug up again. + + The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon + Turns Ashes--or it prospers; and anon, + Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face, + Lighting a little hour or two--is gone. + + Think, in this batter'd Caravanserai + Whose Portals are alternate Night and Day, + How Sultan after Sultan with his Pomp + Abode his destined Hour, and went his way. + + They say the Lion and the Lizard keep + The Courts where Jemshid gloried and drank deep: + And Bahram, that great Hunter--the Wild Ass + Stamps o'er his Head, but cannot break his Sleep. + + I sometimes think that never blows so red + The Rose as where some buried Caesar bled; + That every Hyacinth the Garden wears + Dropt in her Lap from some once lovely Head. + + And this reviving Herb whose tender Green + Fledges the River-Lip on which we lean-- + Ah, lean upon it lightly! for who knows + From what once lovely Lip it springs unseen! + + Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup that clears + To-day of past Regrets and future Fears: + _To-morrow!_--Why, To-morrow I may be + Myself with Yesterday's Sev'n thousand Years. + + For some we loved, the loveliest and the best + That from his Vintage rolling Time hath prest, + Have drunk their Cup a Round or two before, + And one by one crept silently to rest. + + And we, that now make merry in the Room + They left, and Summer dresses in new bloom, + Ourselves must we beneath the Couch of Earth + Descend--ourselves to make a Couch--for whom? + + Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend, + Before we too into the Dust descend; + Dust into Dust, and under Dust to lie, + Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and--sans End! + + Alike for those who for TO-DAY prepare, + And those that after some TO-MORROW stare, + A Muezzin from the Tower of Darkness cries, + "Fools! your Reward is neither Here nor There." + + Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd + Of the Two Worlds so wisely--they are thrust + Like foolish Prophets forth; their Words to Scorn + Are scattered, and their Mouths are stopt with Dust. + + Myself when young did eagerly frequent + Doctor and Saint, and heard great argument + About it and about: but evermore + Came out by the same door where in I went. + + With them the seed of Wisdom did I sow, + And with mine own hand wrought to make it grow; + And this was all the Harvest that I reap'd-- + "I came like Water, and like Wind I go." + + Into this Universe, and _Why_ not knowing + Nor _Whence_, like Water willy-nilly flowing; + And out of it, as Wind along the Waste, + I know not _Whither_, willy-nilly blowing. + + What, without asking, hither hurried _Whence_? + And, without asking, _Whither_ hurried hence! + Oh, many a Cup of this forbidden Wine + Must drown the memory of that insolence! + + Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate + I rose, and on the Throne of Saturn sate, + And many a Knot unravel'd by the Road; + But not the Master-knot of Human Fate. + + There was the Door to which I found no Key; + There was the Veil through which I might not see: + Some little talk awhile of ME and THEE + There was--and then no more of THEE and ME. + + Earth could not answer; nor the Seas that mourn + In flowing Purple, of their Lord forlorn; + Nor rolling Heaven, with all his Signs reveal'd + And hidden by the sleeve of Night and Morn. + + Then of the THEE IN ME who works behind + The Veil, I lifted up my hands to find + A lamp amid the Darkness; and I heard, + As from Without--"THE ME WITHIN THEE BLIND!" + + Then to the Lip of this poor earthen Urn + I lean'd, the Secret of my Life to learn: + And Lip to Lip it murmur'd--"While you live, + Drink!--for, once dead, you never shall return." + + I think the Vessel, that with fugitive + Articulation answer'd, once did live, + And drink; and Ah! the passive Lip I kiss'd, + How many Kisses might it take--and give! + + For I remember stopping by the way + To watch a Potter thumping his wet Clay: + And with its all-obliterated Tongue + It murmur'd--"Gently, Brother, gently, pray!" + + And has not such a story from of Old + Down Man's successive generations roll'd + Of such a clod of saturated Earth + Cast by the Maker into Human mould? + + And not a drop that from our Cups we throw + For Earth to drink of, but may steal below + To quench the fire of Anguish in some Eye + There hidden--far beneath, and long ago. + + As then the Tulip for her morning sup + Of Heav'nly Vintage from the soil looks up, + Do you devoutly do the like, till Heav'n + To Earth invert you--like an empty Cup. + + Perplext no more with Human or Divine, + To-morrow's tangle to the winds resign, + And lose your fingers in the tresses of + The Cypress-slender Minister of Wine. + + And if the Wine you drink, the Lip you press, + End in what All begins and ends in--Yes; + Think then you are To-day what Yesterday + You were--To-morrow you shall not be less. + + So when that Angel of the darker Drink + At last shall find you by the river-brink, + And, offering his Cup, invite your Soul + Forth to your Lips to quaff--you shall not shrink. + + Why, if the Soul can fling the Dust aside, + And naked on the Air of Heaven ride, + Were't not a Shame--were't not a Shame for him + In this clay carcase crippled to abide? + + 'Tis but a Tent where takes his one day's rest + A Sultan to the realm of Death addrest; + The Sultan rises, and the dark Ferrash + Strikes, and prepares it for another Guest + + And fear not lest Existence closing your + Account, and mine, should know the like no more; + The Eternal Saki from the Bowl has pour'd + Millions of Bubbles like us, and will pour. + + When You and I behind the Veil are past, + Oh, but the long, long while the World shall last, + Which of our Coming and Departure heeds + As the Sea's self should heed a pebble-cast. + + A Moment's Halt--a momentary taste + Of Being from the Well amid the Waste-- + And Lo!--the phantom Caravan has reach'd + The Nothing it set out from--Oh, make haste! + + Would you that spangle of Existence spend + About THE SECRET--quick about it, Friend! + A Hair perhaps divides the False and True-- + And upon what, prithee, may life depend? + + A Hair perhaps divides the False and True; + Yes; and a single Alif were the clue-- + Could you but find it--to the Treasure-house, + And peradventure to THE MASTER too; + + Whose secret Presence, through Creation's veins + Running Quicksilver-like eludes your pains; + Taking all shapes from Mah to Mahi; and + They change and perish all--but He remains; + + A moment guess'd--then back behind the Fold + Immerst of Darkness round the Drama roll'd + Which, for the Pastime of Eternity, + He doth Himself contrive, enact, behold. + + But if in vain, down on the stubborn floor + Of Earth, and up to Heav'n's unopening Door, + You gaze To-day, while You are You--how then + To-morrow, when You shall be You no more? + + Waste not your Hour, nor in the vain pursuit + Of This and That endeavor and dispute; + Better be jocund with the fruitful Grape + Than sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit. + + You know, my Friends, with what a brave Carouse + I made a Second Marriage in my house; + Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed, + And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse. + + For "Is" and "Is-not" though with Rule and Line + And "Up-and-down" by Logic I define, + Of all that one should care to fathom, I + Was never deep in anything but--Wine. + + Ah, but my Computations, People say, + Reduced the Year to better reckoning?--Nay, + 'Twas only striking from the Calendar + Unborn To-morrow, and dead Yesterday. + + And lately, by the Tavern Door agape, + Came shining through the Dusk an Angel Shape + Bearing a Vessel on his Shoulder; and + He bid me taste of it; and 'twas--the Grape! + + The Grape that can with Logic absolute + The Two-and-Seventy jarring Sects confute: + The Sovereign Alchemist that in a trice + Life's leaden metal into Gold transmute: + + The mighty Mahmud, Allah-breathing Lord, + That all the misbelieving and black Horde + Of Fears and Sorrows that infest the Soul + Scatters before him with his whirlwind Sword. + + Why, be this Juice the growth of God, who dare + Blaspheme the twisted tendril as a Snare? + A Blessing, we should use it, should we not? + And if a Curse--why, then, Who set it there? + + I must abjure the Balm of Life, I must, + Scared by some After-reckoning ta'en on trust, + Or lured with Hope of some Diviner Drink, + To fill the Cup--when crumbled into Dust! + + Oh threats of Hell and Hopes of Paradise! + One thing at least is certain--This Life flies; + One thing is certain and the rest is Lies; + The Flower that once has blown forever dies. + + Strange, is it not? that of the myriads who + Before us pass'd the door of Darkness through, + Not one returns to tell us of the Road, + Which to discover we must travel too. + + The Revelations of Devout and Learn'd + Who rose before us, and as Prophets burn'd, + Are all but Stories, which, awoke from Sleep + They told their comrades, and to Sleep return'd. + + I sent my Soul through the Invisible, + Some letter of that After-life to spell: + And by and by my Soul return'd to me, + And answered, "I Myself am Heav'n and Hell:" + + Heav'n but the Vision of fulfill'd Desire, + And Hell the Shadow from a Soul on fire, + Cast on the Darkness into which Ourselves, + So late emerged from, shall so soon expire. + + We are no other than a moving row + Of Magic Shadow-shapes that come and go + Round with the Sun-illumined Lantern held + In Midnight by the Master of the Show; + + But helpless Pieces of the Game He plays + Upon this Checker-board of Nights and Days; + Hither and thither moves, and checks, and slays, + And one by one back in the Closet lays. + + The Ball no question makes of Ayes and Noes, + But Here or There as strikes the Player goes; + And He that toss'd you down into the Field, + _He_ knows about it all--HE knows--HE knows! + + The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, + Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit + Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, + Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it. + + And that inverted Bowl they call the Sky, + Whereunder crawling coop'd we live and die, + Lift not your hands to _It_ for help--for It + As impotently moves as you or I. + + With Earth's first Clay They did the Last Man knead, + And there of the Last Harvest sow'd the Seed: + And the first Morning of Creation wrote + What the Last Dawn of Reckoning shall read. + + Yesterday This Day's Madness did prepare; + To-morrow's Silence, Triumph, or Despair: + Drink! for you know not whence you came, nor why: + Drink! for you know not why you go, nor where. + + I tell you this--When, started from the Goal, + Over the flaming shoulders of the Foal + Of Heav'n Parwin and Mushtari they flung, + In my predestined Plot of Dust and Soul + + The Vine had struck a fibre: which about + If clings my Being--let the Dervish flout; + Of my Base metal may be filed a Key, + That shall unlock the Door he howls without. + + And this I know: whether the one True Light + Kindle to Love, or Wrath-consume me quite, + One Flash of It within the Tavern caught + Better than in the Temple lost outright. + + What! out of senseless Nothing to provoke + A conscious Something to resent the yoke + Of unpermitted Pleasure, under pain + Of Everlasting Penalties, if broke! + + What! from his helpless Creature be repaid + Pure Gold for what he lent him dross-allay'd-- + Sue for a Debt he never did contract, + And cannot answer--Oh the sorry trade! + + Oh Thou, who didst with pitfall and with gin + Beset the Road I was to wander in, + Thou wilt not with Predestined Evil round + Enmesh, and then impute my Fall to Sin! + + O Thou, who Man of baser Earth didst make, + And ev'n with Paradise devise the Snake: + For all the Sin wherewith the Face of Man + Is blacken'd--Man's forgiveness give--and take! + + As under cover of departing Day + Slunk hunger-stricken Ramazan away, + Once more within the Potter's house alone + I stood, surrounded by the Shapes of Clay. + + Shapes of all Sorts and Sizes, great and small, + That stood along the floor and by the wall; + And some loquacious Vessels were; and some + Listen'd perhaps, but never talk'd at all. + + Said one among them--"Surely not in vain + My substance of the common Earth was ta'en + And to this Figure moulded, to be broke, + Or trampled back to shapeless Earth again." + + Then said a Second--"Ne'er a peevish Boy + Would break the Bowl from which he drank in joy; + And He that with his hand the Vessel made + Will surely not in after Wrath destroy." + + After a momentary silence spake + Some Vessel of a more ungainly Make; + "They sneer at me for leaning all awry: + What! did the Hand then of the Potter shake?" + + Whereat some one of the loquacious Lot-- + I think a Sufi pipkin--waxing hot-- + "All this of Pot and Potter--Tell me, then, + Who is the Potter, pray, and who the Pot?" + + "Why," said another, "some there are who tell + Of one who threatens he will toss to Hell + The luckless Pots he marr'd in making--Pish! + He's a Good Fellow, and 't will all be well." + + "Well," murmur'd one, "let whoso make or buy, + My Clay with long Oblivion is gone dry: + But fill me with the old familiar Juice, + Methinks I might recover by and by." + + So while the Vessels one by one were speaking, + The little Moon look'd in that all were seeking: + And then they jogg'd each other, "Brother! Brother! + Now for the Potter's shoulder-knot a-creaking!" + + Ah, with the Grape my fading Life provide, + And wash the Body whence the Life has died, + And lay me, shrouded in the living Leaf, + By some not unfrequented Garden-side. + + That ev'n my buried Ashes such a snare + Of Vintage shall fling up into the Air + As not a True-believer passing by + But shall be overtaken unaware. + + Indeed the Idols I have loved so long + Have done my credit in this World much wrong: + Have drown'd my Glory in a shallow Cup, + And sold my Reputation for a Song. + + Indeed, indeed, Repentance oft before + I swore--but was I sober when I swore? + And then and then came Spring, and Rose-in-hand + My threadbare Penitence apieces tore. + + And much as Wine has play'd the Infidel, + And robb'd me of my Robe of Honor--Well, + I wonder often what the Vintners buy + One half so precious as the stuff they sell. + + Yet ah, that Spring should vanish with the Rose! + That Youth's sweet-scented manuscript should close! + The Nightingale that in the branches sang, + Ah whence, and whither flown again, who knows! + + Would but the Desert of the Fountain yield + One glimpse--if dimly, yet indeed, reveal'd, + To which the fainting Traveller might spring, + As springs the trampled herbage of the field! + + Would but some winged Angel ere too late + Arrest the yet unfolded Roll of Fate, + And make the stern Recorder otherwise + Enregister, or quite obliterate! + + Ah, Love! could you and I with Him conspire + To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things entire, + Would not we shatter it to bits--and then + Re-mould it nearer to the Heart's Desire! + + Yon rising Moon that looks for us again-- + How oft hereafter will she wax and wane; + How oft hereafter rising look for us + Through this same Garden--and for _one_ in vain! + + And when like her, oh Saki, you shall pass + Among the Guests Star-scatter'd on the Grass, + And in your joyous errand reach the spot + Where I made One--turn down an empty Glass! + + + + + + +THE DIVAN + +BY HAFIZ + +[_Translation by H. Bicknell_] + + + +NOTE + +The reader will be struck with the apparent want of unity in many of the +Odes. The Orientals compare each couplet to a single pearl and the +entire "Ghazal," or Ode, to a string of pearls. It is the rhyme, not +necessarily the sense, which links them together. Hence the single +pearls or couplets may often be arranged in various orders without +injury to the general effect; and it would probably be impossible to +find two manuscripts either containing the same number of Odes, or +having the same couplets following each other in the same order. + + + +INTRODUCTION + +We are told in the Persian histories that when Tamerlane, on his +victorious progress through the East, had reached Shiraz, he halted +before the gates of the city and sent two of his followers to search in +the bazar for a certain dervish Muhammad Shams-ad-din, better known to +the world by the name of Hafiz. And when this man of religion, wearing +the simple woollen garment of a Sufi, was brought into the presence of +the great conqueror, he was nothing abashed at the blaze of silks and +jewelry which decorated the pavilion where Tamerlane sat in state. And +Tamerlane, meeting the poet with a frown of anger, said, "Art not thou +the insolent verse-monger who didst offer my two great cities Samarkand +and Bokhara for the black mole upon thy lady's cheek?" "It is true," +replied Hafiz calmly, smiling, "and indeed my munificence has been so +great throughout my life, that it has left me destitute, so that I shall +be hereafter dependent upon thy generosity for a livelihood." The reply +of the poet, as well as his imperturbable self-possession, pleased the +Asiatic Alexander, and he dismissed Hafiz with a liberal present. + +This story, we are told, cannot be true, for Tamerlane did not reach +Shiraz until after the death of the greatest of Persian lyric poets; but +if it is not true in fact, it is true in spirit, and gives the real key +to the character of Hafiz. For we must look upon Hafiz as one of the few +poets in the world who utters an unbroken strain of joy and contentment. +His poverty was to him a constant fountain of satisfaction, and he +frankly took the natural joys of life as they came, supported under +every vicissitude by his religious sense of the goodness and kindliness +of the One God, manifested in everything in the world that was sweet and +genial, and beautiful to behold. It is strange that we have to go to the +literature of Persia to find a poet whose deep religious convictions +were fully reconciled with the theory of human existence which was +nothing more or less than an optimistic hedonism. There is nothing +parallel to this in classic literature. The greatest of Roman +Epicureans, the materialist, whose maxim was: enjoy the present for +there is no God, and no to-morrow, speaks despairingly of that drop of +bitterness, which rises in the fountain of Delight and brings torture, +even amid the roses of the feast. It is with mocking irony that Dante +places Epicurus in the furnace-tombs of his Inferno amid those +heresiarchs who denied the immortality of the soul. Hafiz was an +Epicurean without the atheism or the despair of Epicurus. The roses in +his feast are ever fresh and sweet and there is nothing of bitterness in +the perennial fountain of his Delight. This unruffled serenity, this +joyful acceptance of material existence and its pleasures are not in the +Persian poet the result of the carelessness and shallowness of Horace, +or the cold-blooded worldliness and sensuality of Martial. The theory of +life which Hafiz entertained was founded upon the relation of the human +soul to God. The one God of Sufism was a being of exuberant benignity, +from whose creative essence proceeded the human soul, whose experiences +on earth were intended to fit it for re-entrance into the circle of +light and re-absorption into the primeval fountain of being. In +accordance with the beautiful and pathetic imagery of the Mystic, life +was merely a journey of many stages, and every manifestation of life +which the traveller met on the high road was a manifestation and a gift +of God Himself. Every stage on the journey towards God which the soul +made in its religious experience was like a wayside inn in which to rest +awhile before resuming the onward course. The pleasures of life, all +that charmed the eye, all that gratified the senses, every draught that +intoxicated, and every fruit that pleased the palate, were, in the +pantheistic doctrine of the Sufi considered as equally good, because God +was in each of them, and to partake of them was therefore to be united +more closely with God. Never was a theology so well calculated to put to +rest the stings of doubt or the misgivings of the pleasure-seeker. This +theology is of the very essence of Hafiz's poetry. It is in full +reliance on this interpretation of the significance of human existence +that Hafiz faces the fierce Tamerlane with a placid smile, plunges +without a qualm into the deepest abysses of pleasure, finds in the +love-song of the nightingale the voice of God, and in the bright eyes of +women and the beaker brimming with crimson wine the choicest sacraments +of life, the holiest and the most sublime intermediaries between divine +and human life. + +It is this that makes Hafiz almost the only poet of unadulterated +gladsomeness that the world has ever known. There is no shadow in his +sky, no discord in his music, no bitterness in his cup. He passes +through life like a happy pilgrim, singing all the way, mounting in his +own way from strength to strength, sure of a welcome when he reaches the +goal, contented with himself, because every manifestation of life of +which he is conscious must be the stirrings within him of that divinity +of which he is a portion. When we have thus spoken of Hafiz we have said +almost all that is known of the Persian lyric poet, for to know Hafiz we +must read his verses, whose magic charm is as great for Europeans as for +Asiatics. The endless variety of his expressions, the deep earnestness +of his convictions, the persistent gayety of his tone, are qualities of +irresistible attractiveness. Even to this day his tomb is visited as the +Mecca of literary pilgrims, and his numbers are cherished in the memory +and uttered on the tongue of all educated Persians. The particulars of +his life may be briefly epitomized as follows: He was born at Shiraz in +the early part of the fourteenth century, dying in the year 1388. The +name Hafiz means, literally, the man who remembers, and was applied to +himself by Hafiz from the fact that he became a professor of the +Mohammedan scriptures, and for this purpose had committed to memory the +text of the Koran. His manner of life was not approved of by the +dervishes of the monastic college in which he taught, and he satirizes +his colleagues in revenge for their animadversions. The whole Mohammedan +world hailed with delight the lyrics which Hafiz published to the world, +and kings and rulers vied with each other in making offers to him of +honors and hospitality. At one time he started for India on the +invitation of a great Southern Prince, who sent a vessel to meet him on +the way, but the hardships of the sea were too severe for him, and he +made his way back to Shiraz without finishing his journey. + +His out-and-out pantheism, as well as his manner of life, caused him at +his death to be denied burial in consecrated ground. The ecclesiastical +authorities were, however, induced to relent in their plan of +excommunication at the dictates of a passage from the poet's writings, +which was come upon by opening the book at random. The passage ran as +follows: "Turn not thy feet from the bier of Hafiz, for though immersed +in sin, he will be admitted into Paradise." And so he rests in the +cemetery at Shiraz, where the nightingales are singing and the roses +bloom the year through, and the doves gather with low murmurs amid the +white stones of the sacred enclosure. The poets of nature, the mystical +pantheist, the joyous troubadour of life, Hafiz, in the naturalness and +spontaneity of his poetry, and in the winning sweetness of his imagery, +occupies a unique place in the literature of the world, and has no rival +in his special domain. + + + +FRAGMENT BY HAFIZ + +_In Praise of His Verses_. + + The beauty of these verses baffles praise: + What guide is needed to the solar blaze? + Extol that artist by whose pencil's aid + The virgin, Thought, so richly is arrayed. + For her no substitute can reason show, + Nor any like her human judgment know. + This verse, a miracle, or magic white-- + Brought down some voice from Heaven, or Gabriel bright? + By me as by none else are secrets sung, + No pearls of poesy like mine are strung. + + + +THE DIVAN + + + +I + + "Ala ya ayyuha's-Saki!"--pass round and offer thou the bowl, + For love, which seemed at first so easy, has now brought trouble to my + soul. + + With yearning for the pod's aroma, which by the East that lock shall + spread + From that crisp curl of musky odor, how plenteously our hearts have + bled! + + Stain with the tinge of wine thy prayer-mat, if thus the aged Magian + bid, + For from the traveller from the Pathway[1] no stage nor usage can be + hid. + + Shall my beloved one's house delight me, when issues ever and anon + From the relentless bell the mandate: "'Tis time to bind thy litters + on"? + + The waves are wild, the whirlpool dreadful, the shadow of the night + steals o'er, + How can my fate excite compassion in the light-burdened of the shore? + + Each action of my froward spirit has won me an opprobrious name; + Can any one conceal the secret which the assembled crowds proclaim? + + If Joy be thy desire, O Hafiz, + From Him far distant never dwell. + "As soon as thou hast found thy Loved one, + Bid to the world a last farewell." + + + +II + + Thou whose features clearly-beaming make the moon of Beauty bright, + Thou whose chin contains a well-pit[2] which to Loveliness gives light. + + When, O Lord! shall kindly Fortune, sating my ambition, pair + This my heart of tranquil nature and thy wild and ruffled hair? + + Pining for thy sight my spirit trembling on my lip doth wait: + Forth to speed it, back to lead it, speak the sentence of its fate. + + Pass me with thy skirt uplifted from the dusty bloody ground: + Many who have been thy victims dead upon this path are found. + + How this heart is anguish-wasted let my heart's possessor know: + Friends, your souls and mine contemplate, equal by their common woe. + + Aught of good accrues to no one witched by thy Narcissus eye: + Ne'er let braggarts vaunt their virtue, if thy drunken orbs are nigh. + + Soon my Fortune sunk in slumber shall her limbs with vigor brace: + Dashed upon her eye is water, sprinkled by thy shining face. + + Gather from thy cheek a posy, speed it by the flying East; + Sent be perfume to refresh me from thy garden's dust at least. + + Hafiz offers a petition, listen, and "Amen" reply: + "On thy sugar-dropping rubies let me for life's food rely." + + Many a year live on and prosper, Sakis of the court of Jem,[3] + E'en though I, to fill my wine-cup, never to your circle come. + + East wind, when to Yazd thou wingest, say thou to its sons from me: + "May the head of every ingrate ball-like 'neath your mall-bat be!" + + "What though from your dais distant, near it by my wish I seem; + Homage to your Ring I render, and I make your praise my theme." + + Shah of Shahs, of lofty planet, Grant for God what I implore; + Let me, as the sky above thee, Kiss the dust which strews thy floor. + + + +V + + Up, Saki!--let the goblet flow; + Strew with dust the head of our earthly woe! + + Give me thy cup; that, joy-possessed, + I may tear this azure cowl from my breast,[4] + + The wise may deem me lost to shame, + But no care have I for renown or name. + + Bring wine!--how many a witless head + By the wind of pride has with dust been spread! + + My bosom's fumes, my sighs so warm, + Have inflamed yon crude and unfeeling swarm.[5] + + This mad heart's secret, well I know, + Is beyond the thoughts of both high and low. + + E'en by that sweetheart charmed am I, + Who once from my heart made sweetness fly. + + Who that my Silvern Tree hath seen, + Would regard the cypress that decks the green?[6] + + In grief be patient, + Night and day, + Till thy fortune, Hafiz, + Thy wish obey. + + + +VI + + My heart no longer brooks my hand: sages, aid for God my woe! + Else, alas! my secret-deep soon the curious world must know. + + The bark we steer has stranded: O breeze auspicious swell: + We yet may see once more the Friend we love so well. + + The ten days' favor of the Sphere--magic is; a tale which lies! + Thou who wouldst befriend thy friends, seize each moment ere it flies. + + At night, 'mid wine and flowers, the bulbul tuned his song: + "Bring thou the morning bowl: prepare, ye drunken throng!" + + Sikander's mirror, once so famed, is the wine-filled cup: behold + All that haps in Dara's realm glassed within its wondrous mould.[7] + + O bounteous man, since Heaven sheds o'er thee blessings mild, + Inquire, one day at least, how fares Misfortune's child. + + What holds in peace this twofold world, let this twofold sentence show: + "Amity to every friend, courtesy to every foe." + + Upon the way of honor, impeded was my range; + If this affect thee, strive my destiny to change. + + That bitter, which the Sufi styled "Mother of all woes that be,"[8] + Seems, with maiden's kisses weighed, better and more sweet to me. + + Seek drunkenness and pleasure till times of strait be o'er: + This alchemy of life can make the beggar Kore.[9] + + Submit; or burn thou taper-like e'en from jealousy o'er-much: + Adamant no less than wax, melts beneath that charmer's touch. + + When fair ones talk in Persian, the streams of life out-well: + This news to pious Pirs, my Saki, haste to tell. + + Since Hafiz, not by his own choice, + This his wine-stained cowl did win, + Shaikh, who hast unsullied robes, + Hold me innocent of sin.[10] + + Arrayed in youthful splendor, the orchard smiles again; + News of the rose enraptures the bulbul of sweet strain. + + Breeze, o'er the meadow's children, when thy fresh fragrance blows, + Salute for me the cypress, the basil, and the rose. + + If the young Magian[11] dally with grace so coy and fine, + My eye shall bend their fringes to sweep the house of wine. + + O thou whose bat of amber hangs o'er a moon below,[12] + Deal not to me so giddy, the anguish of a blow. + + I fear that tribe of mockers who topers' ways impeach, + Will part with their religion the tavern's goal to reach. + + To men of God be friendly: in Noah's ark was earth[13] + Which deemed not all the deluge one drop of water worth. + + As earth, two handfuls yielding, shall thy last couch supply, + What need to build thy palace, aspiring to the sky? + + Flee from the house of Heaven, and ask not for her bread: + Her goblet black shall shortly her every guest strike dead.[14] + + To thee, my Moon of Kanaan, the Egyptian throne pertains; + At length has come the moment that thou shouldst quit thy chains. + + I know not what dark projects those pointed locks design, + That once again in tangles their musky curls combine. + + Be gay, drink wine, and revel; + But not, like others, care, + O Hafiz, from the Koran + To weave a wily snare! + + + +XII + + Oh! where are deeds of virtue and this frail spirit where? + How wide the space that sunders the bounds of Here and There! + + Can toping aught in common with works and worship own? + Where is regard for sermons, where is the rebeck's Tone?[15] + + My heart abhors the cloister, and the false cowl its sign: + Where is the Magian's cloister, and where is his pure wine? + + 'Tis fled: may memory sweetly mind me of Union's days! + Where is that voice of anger, where those coquettish ways? + + Can a foe's heart be kindled by the friend's face so bright? + Where is a lamp unlighted, and the clear Day-star's light? + + As dust upon thy threshold supplies my eyes with balm, + If I forsake thy presence, where can I hope for calm? + + Turn from that chin's fair apple; a pit is on the way. + To what, O heart, aspir'st thou? Whither thus quickly? Say! + + Seek not, O friend, in Hafiz + Patience, nor rest from care: + Patience and rest--what are they? + Where is calm slumber, where? + + + +XIV + + At eve a son of song--his heart be cheerful long!-- + Piped on his vocal reed a soul-inflaming lay. + + So deeply was I stirred, that melody once heard, + That to my tearful eyes the things of earth grew gray. + + With me my Saki was, and momently did he + At night the sun of Dai[16] by lock and cheek display. + + When he perceived my wish, he filled with wine the bowl; + Then said I to that youth whose track was Fortune's way: + + "Saki, from Being's prison deliverance did I gain, + When now and now the cup thou lit'st with cheerful ray. + + "God guard thee here below from all the haps of woe; + God in the Seat of Bliss reward thee on His day!" + + When Hafiz rapt has grown, + How, at one barleycorn, + Should he appraise the realm, + E'en of Kaus the Kay?[17] + + + +XVI + + I said: "O Monarch of the lovely, a stranger seeks thy grace this day." + I heard: "The heart's deceitful guidance inclines the stranger from + his way." + + Exclaimed I then: "One moment tarry!" "Nay," was the answer, "let me go; + How can the home-bred child be troubled by stories of a stranger's + woe?" + + Shall one who, gently nurtured, slumbers with royal ermine for a bed, + "Care if on rocks or thorns reposing the stranger rests his weary head?" + + O thou whose locks hold fast on fetters so many a soul known long ago, + How strange that musky mole and charming upon thy cheek of vermil glow! + + Strange is that ant-like down's appearance circling the oval of thy + face; + Yet musky shade is not a stranger within the Hall which paintings + grace.[18] + + A crimson tint, from wine reflected gleams in that face of moonlight + sheen; + E'en as the bloom of syrtis, strangely, o'er clusters of the pale + Nasrin.[19] + + I said: "O thou, whose lock so night-black is evening in the + stranger's sight, + Be heedful if, at break of morning, the stranger sorrow for his + plight." + + "Hafiz," the answer was, "familiars + Stand in amaze at my renown; + It is no marvel if a stranger + In weariness and grief sit down." + + + +XVII + + 'Tis morn; the clouds a ceiling make: + The morn-cup, mates, the morn-cup take! + + Drops of dew streak the tulip's cheek; + The wine-bowl, friends, the wine-bowl seek + + The greensward breathes a gale divine; + Drink, therefore, always limpid wine. + + The Flower her emerald throne displays: + Bring wine that has the ruby's blaze + + Again is closed the vintner's store, + "Open, Thou Opener of the door!"[20] + + While smiles on us the season's boon, + I marvel that they close so soon. + + Thy lips have salt-rights, 'tis confessed, + O'er wounds upon the fire-burnt breast. + + Hafiz, let not + Thy courage fail! + Fortune, thy charmer + Shall unveil. + + + +XIX + + Lo! from thy love's enchanting bowers Rizvan's bright gardens fresher + grow;[21] + From the fierce heat thine absence kindles, Gehenna's flames intenser + glow. + + To thy tall form and cheek resplendent, as to a place of refuge, fleet + Heaven and the Tuba-tree, and find there--"Happiness--and a fair + retreat."[22] + + When nightly the celestial river glides through the garden of the skies, + As my own eye, it sees in slumber, nought but thy drunk narcissus eyes. + + Each section of the spring-tide's volume makes a fresh comment on thy + name, + Each portal of the Empyrean murmurs the title of thy fame. + + My heart has burned, but to ambition, the aim, still wished for, is + denied: + These tears that tinged with blood are flowing, if I could reach it, + would be dried. + + What ample power thy salt-rights give thee (which both thy mouth and + lips can claim), + Over a breast by sorrow wounded, and a heart burnt within its flame! + + Oh! think not that the amorous only are drunk with rapture at thy sway: + Hast thou not heard of zealots, also, as reckless and as wrecked as + they? + + By thy lips' reign I hold it proven that the bright ruby's sheen is won + By the resplendent light that flashes out of a world-illuming sun.[23] + + Fling back thy veil! how long, oh tell me! shall drapery thy beauty + pale? + This drapery, no profit bringing, can only for thy shame avail. + + A fire within the rose's bosom was kindled when she saw thy face; + And soon as she inhaled thy fragrance, she grew all rose-dew from + disgrace. + + The love thy countenance awakens whelms Hafiz in misfortune's sea; + Death threatens him! ho there! give help, ere yet that he has ceased + to be! + + While life is thine, consent not, Hafiz, + That it should speed ignobly by; + But strive thou to attain the object + Of thy existence ere thou die. + + + +XX + + I swear--my master's soul bear witness, faith of old times, and + promise leal!-- + At early morning, my companion, is prayer for thy unceasing weal. + + My tears, a more o'erwhelming deluge than was the flood which Noah + braved, + Have washed not from my bosom's tablet the image which thy love has + graved. + + Come deal with me, and strike thy bargain: I have a broken heart to + sell, + Which in its ailing state out-values a hundred thousand which are well. + + Be lenient, if thou deem me drunken: on the primeval day divine + Love, who possessed my soul as master, bent my whole nature unto wine. + + Strive after truth that for thy solace the Sun may in thy spirit rise; + For the false dawn of earlier morning grows dark of face because it + lies.[24] + + O heart, thy friend's exceeding bounty should free thee from unfounded + dread; + This instant, as of love thou vauntest, be ready to devote thy head! + + I gained from thee my frantic yearning for mountains and the barren + plain, + Yet loath art thou to yield to pity, and loosen at mid-height my chain. + + If the ant casts reproach on Asaf, with justice does her tongue upbraid, + For when his Highness lost Jem's signet, no effort for the quest he + made.[25] + + No constancy--yet grieve not, Hafiz-- + Expect thou from the faithless fair; + What right have we to blame the garden, + Because the plant has withered there? + + + +XXII + + Veiled in my heart my fervent love for him dwells, + And my true eye holds forth a glass to his spells. + + Though the two worlds ne'er bowed my head when elate, + Favors as his have bent my neck with their weight. + + Thine be the lote, but I Love's stature would reach. + High like his zeal ascends the fancy of each. + + Yet who am I that sacred temple to tread? + Still let the East that portal guard in my stead! + + Spots on my robe--shall they arouse my complaint? + Nay! the world knows that he at least has no taint. + + My turn has come; behold! Majnun is no more;[26] + Five days shall fly, and each one's turn shall be o'er. + + Love's ample realm, sweet joy, and all that is glad, + Save for his bounty I should never have had.[27] + + I and my heart--though both should sacrificed be, + Grant my friend's weal, their loss were nothing to me. + + Ne'er shall his form within my pupil be dim, + For my eye's cell is but a chamber for him. + + All the fresh blooms that on the greensward we view, + Gain but from him their scent and beauty of hue. + + Hafiz seems poor; + But look within, for his breast, + Shrining his love, + With richest treasure is blest. + + + +XXIII + + Prone at my friend's high gates, my Will its head lays still: + Whate'er my head awaits is ordered by that will. + + My friend resembles none; in vain I sought to trace, + In glance of moon or sun, the radiance of that face. + + Can morning's breeze make known what grief this heart doth hold, + Which as a bud hath grown, compressed by fold on fold? + + Not I first drained the jar where rev'lers pass away:[28] + Heads in this work-yard are nought else than wine-jars' clay. + + Meseems thy comb has wreathed those locks which amber yield: + The gale has civet breathed, and amber scents the field. + + Flowers of verdant nooks be strewn before thy face: + Let cypresses of brooks bear witness to thy grace! + + When dumb grow tongues of men that on such love would dwell, + Why should a tongue-cleft pen by babbling strive to tell? + + Thy cheek is in my heart; no more will bliss delay; + Glad omens e'er impart news of a gladder day. + + Love's fire has dropped its spark + In Hafiz' heart before: + The wild-grown tulip's mark + Branded of old its core.[29] + + + +XXV + + Breeze of the morn, if hence to the land thou fliest--Of my friend, + Return with a musky breath from the lock so sweet + Of my friend. + + Yea, by that life, I swear I would lay down mine in content, + If once I received through thee but a message sent + Of my friend. + + But--at that sacred court, if approach be wholly denied, + Convey, for my eyes, the dust that the door supplied + Of my friend. + + I--but a beggar mean--can I hope for Union at last? + Ah! would that in sleep I saw but the shadow cast + Of my friend. + + Ever my pine-cone heart, as the aspen trembling and shy, + Has yearned for the pine-like shape and the stature high + Of my friend. + + Not at the lowest price would my friend to purchase me care; + Yet I, a whole world to win, would not sell one hair + Of my friend. + + How should this heart gain aught, + Were its gyves of grief flung aside? + I, Hafiz, a bondsman, still + Would the slave abide + Of my friend. + + + +XXIX + + Who of a Heaven on earth can tell, pure as the cell--Of dervishes? + If in the highest state you'd dwell, be ever slaves + Of dervishes. + + The talisman of magic Might hid in some ruin's lonely site, + Emerges from its ancient night at the wild glance + Of dervishes. + + When the proud sun has run his race, and he puts off his crown apace, + He bows before the pomp and place which are the boast + Of dervishes. + + The palace portal of the sky, watched by Rizvan's unsleeping eye, + All gazers can at once descry from the glad haunts + Of dervishes. + + When mortal hearts are black and cold, that which transmutes them into + gold + Is the alchemic stone we hold from intercourse + Of dervishes. + + When tyranny, from pole to pole, sways o'er the earth with dire control, + We see from first to last unroll the victor-flag + Of dervishes. + + There is a wealth which lasts elate, unfearful of decline from fate; + Hear it with joy--this wealth so great, is in the hands + Of dervishes. + + Khosraus, the kiblahs of our prayer have weight to solace our + despair,[30] + But they are potent by their care for the high rank + Of dervishes. + + O, vaunter of thy riches' pride! lay all thy vanity aside, + And know that health and wealth abide but by the will + Of dervishes. + + Korah lost all his treasured store, which, cursed of Heaven, sinks + daily more, + (Hast thou not heard this tale of yore?) from disregard + Of dervishes,[31] + + The smiling face of joy unknown, yet sought by tenants of a throne, + Is only in the mirror shown of the clear face + Of dervishes. + + Let but our Asaf's eye request, I am the slave of his behest, + For though his looks his rank attest, he has the mind + Of dervishes. + + Hafiz, if of the tide thou think, which makes immortal those who drink, + Seek in the dust that fountain's brink, at the cell door + Of dervishes. + + Hafiz, while here on earth, be wise: + He who to empire's rule would rise, + Knows that his upward pathway lies + Through his regard + Of dervishes. + + + +XXXI + + In blossom is the crimson rose, and the rapt bulbul trills his song; + A summons that to revel calls you, O Sufis, wine-adoring throng! + + The fabric of my contrite fervor appeared upon a rock to bide; + Yet see how by a crystal goblet it hath been shattered in its pride. + + Bring wine; for to a lofty spirit, should they at its tribunal be, + What were the sentry, what the Sultan, the toper, or the foe of glee? + + Forth from this hostel of two portals as finally thou needs must go, + What of the porch and arch of Being be of high span or meanly low? + + To bliss' goal we gain not access, if sorrow has been tasted not; + Yea, with Alastu's pact was coupled the sentence of our baleful lot. + + At Being and Non-being fret not; but either with calm temper see: + Non-being is the term appointed for the most lovely things that be. + + Asaf's display, the airy courser, the language which the birds employed, + The wind has swept; and their possessor no profit from his wealth + enjoyed.[32] + + Oh! fly not from thy pathway upward, for the winged shaft that quits + the bow + A moment to the air has taken, to settle in the dust below. + + What words of gratitude, O Hafiz + Shall thy reed's tongue express anon, + As its choice gems of composition + From hands to other hands pass on? + + + +XXXV + + Now on the rose's palm the cup with limpid wine is brimming, + And with a hundred thousand tongues the bird her praise is hymning. + + Ask for a song-book, seek the wild, no time is this for knowledge; + The Comment of the Comments spurn, and learning of the college,[33] + + Be it thy rule to shun mankind, and let the Phoenix monish, + For the reports of hermit fame, from Kaf to Kaf astonish.[34] + + When yesterday our rector reeled, this sentence he propounded: + "Wine is a scandal; but far worse what men's bequests have founded." + + Turbid or clear, though not thy choice, drink thankfully; well knowing + That all which from our Saki flows to his free grace is owing. + + Each dullard who would share my fame, each rival self-deceiver, + Reminds me that at times the mat seems golden to its weaver. + + Cease, Hafiz! store as ruddy gold + The wit that's in thy ditty: + The stampers of false coin, behold! + Are bankers for the city.[35] + + + +XLII + + 'Tis a deep charm which wakes the lover's flame, + Not ruby lip, nor verdant down its name. + + Beauty is not the eye, lock, cheek, and mole; + A thousand subtle points the heart control. + + + +XLIII + + Zealot, censure not the toper, guileless though thou keep thy soul: + Certain 'tis that sins of others none shall write upon thy scroll. + + Be my deeds or good or evil, look thou to thyself alone; + All men, when their work is ended, reap the harvest they have sown. + + Never of Eternal Mercy preach that I must yet despair; + Canst thou pierce the veil, and tell me who is ugly, who is fair? + + Every one the Friend solicits, be he sober, quaff he wine; + Every place has love its tenant, be it or the mosque, or shrine. + + From the still retreat of virtue not the first am I to roam, + For my father also quitted his eternal Eden home. + + See this head, devout submission: bricks at many a vintner's door: + If my foe these words misconstrue--"Bricks and head!"--Say nothing more. + + Fair though Paradise's garden, deign to my advice to yield: + Here enjoy the shading willow, and the border of the field. + + Lean not on thy store of merits; know'st thou 'gainst thy name for aye + What the Plastic Pen indited, on the Unbeginning Day? + + Hafiz, if thou grasp thy beaker + When the hour of death is nigh, + From the street where stands the tavern + Straight they'll bear thee to the sky. + + + +XLV + + O breeze of morn! where is the place which guards my friend from strife? + Where is the abode of that sly Moon who lovers robs of life? + + The night is dark, the Happy Vale in front of me I trace.[36] + Where is the fire of Sinaei, where is the meeting place? + + Here jointly are the wine-filled cup, the rose, the minstrel; yet + While we lack love, no bliss is here: where can my Loved be met? + + Of the Shaikh's cell my heart has tired, and of the convent bare: + Where is my friend, the Christian's child, the vintner's mansion, where? + + Hafiz, if o'er the glade of earth + The autumn-blast is borne, + Grieve not, but musing ask thyself: + "Where has the rose no thorn?" + + + +LIX + + My Prince, so gracefully thou steppest, that where thy footsteps + fall--I'd die. + My Turk, so gracefully thou glidest, before thy stature tall + I'd die. + + "When wilt thou die before me?"--saidst thou. Why thus so eagerly + inquire? + These words of thy desire delight me; forestalling thy desire + I'd die. + + I am a lover, drunk, forsaken: Saki, that idol, where is he? + Come hither with thy stately bearing! let me thy fair form see, + I'd die. + + Should he, apart from whom I've suffered a life-long illness, day by + day, + Bestow on me a glance, one only, beneath that orb dark-gray + I'd die. + + "The ruby of my lips," thou saidst, "now bale, now balsam may exhale": + At one time from their healing balsam, at one time from their bale + I'd die. + + How trim thy gait! May eye of evil upon thy face be never bent! + There dwells within my head this fancy; that at thy feet content + I'd die. + + Though no place has been found for Hafiz + In Love's retreat, where hid thou art, + For me thine every part has beauty, + Before thine every part-- + I'd die. + + + +LXIII + + My heart has of the world grown weary and all that it can lend: + The shrine of my affection holds no Being but my friend. + + If e'er for me thy love's sweet garden a fragrant breath exhale, + My heart, expansive in its joy, shall bud-like burst its veil. + + Should I upon love's path advise thee, when now a fool I've grown, + 'Twould be the story of the fool, the pitcher, and the stone. + + Go! say to the secluded zealot: "Withhold thy blame; for know, + I find the arch of the Mihrab[37] but in an eyebrow's bow." + + Between the Ka'bah and the wine-house, no difference I see: + Whate'er the spot my glance surveys, there equally is He. + + 'Tis not for beard, hair, eyebrow only, Kalandarism should care: + The Kalandar computes the Path by adding hair to hair.[38] + + The Kalandar who gives a hair's head, + An easy path doth tread: + The Kalandar of genuine stamp, + As Hafiz gives his head. + + + +LXIX + + My heart desires the face so fair--Of Farrukh;[39] + It is perturbed as is the hair + Of Farrukh. + + No creature but that lock, that Hindu swart, + Enjoyment from the cheek has sought + Of Farrukh. + + A blackamoor by Fortune blest is he, + Placed at the side, and near the knee + Of Farrukh. + + Shy as the aspen is the cypress seen, + Awed by the captivating mien + Of Farrukh. + + Saki, bring syrtis-tinted wine to tell + Of those narcissi, potent spell + Of Farrukh. + + Bent as the archer's bow my frame is now, + From woes continuous as the brow + Of Farrukh. + + E'en Tartar gales which musky odors whirl, + Faint at the amber-breathing curl + Of Farrukh. + + If leans the human heart to any place, + Mine has a yearning to the grace + Of Farrukh. + + That lofty soul + Shall have my service true, + That serves, as Hafiz, + The Hindu--[40] + Of Farrukh. + + + +LXXI + + When now the rose upon the meadow from Nothing into Being springs, + When at her feet the humble violet with her head low in worship clings, + + Take from thy morn-filled cup refreshment while tabors and the harp + inspire, + Nor fail to kiss the chin of Saki while the flute warbles and the lyre. + + Sit thou with wine, with harp, with charmer, until the rose's bloom be + past; + For as the days of life which passes, is the brief week that she shall + last. + + The face of earth, from herbal mansions, is lustrous as the sky; and + shines + With asterisms of happy promise, with stars that are propitious signs. + + In gardens let Zoroaster's worship again with all its rites revive, + While now within the tulip's blossoms the fires of Nimrod[41] are alive. + + Drink wine, presented by some beauty of Christ-like breath, of cheek + fair-hued; + And banish from thy mind traditions to Ad relating, and Thamud.[42] + + Earth rivals the Immortal Garden during the rose and lily's reign; + But what avails when the immortal is sought for on this earth in vain? + + When riding on the windy courser, as Solomon, the rose is found, + And when the Bird, at hour of morning, makes David's melodies resound, + + Ask thou, in Solomon's dominion, a goblet to the brim renewed; + Pledge the Vizir, the cycle's Asaf, the column of the Faith, Mahmud. + + O Hafiz, while his days continue, let joy eternal be thine aim; + And may the shadow of his kindness eternally abide the same! + + Bring wine; for Hafiz, if in trouble, + Will ceaselessly the help implore + Of him who bounty shall aid ever, + As it have aid vouchsafed before. + + + +LXXVII + + Upon the path of Love, O heart, deceit and risk are great! + And fall upon the way shall he who at swift rate + Shall go. + + Inflated by the wind of pride, the bubble's head may shine; + But soon its cap of rule shall fall, and merged in wine + Shall go. + + O heart, when thou hast aged grown, show airs of grace no more: + Remember that such ways as these when youth is o'er + Shall go. + + Has the black book of black locks closed, the album yet shall stay, + Though many a score the extracts be which day by day + Shall go. + + + +LXXXV + + To me love's echo is the sweetest sound + Of all that 'neath this circling Round + Hath stayed. + + + +LXXXVI + + A beggar am I; yet enamoured of one of cypress mould: + One in whose belt the hand bides only with silver and with gold. + + Bring wine! let first the hand of Hafiz + The cheery cup embrace! + Yet only on one condition-- + No word beyond this place! + + + +LXXXVII + + When beamed Thy beauty on creation's morn, + The world was set on fire by love new-born. + + Thy cheek shone bright, yet angels' hearts were cold: + Then flashed it fire, and turned to Adam's mould. + + The lamp of Reason from this flame had burned, + But lightning jealousy the world o'erturned. + + The enemy Thy secret sought to gain; + A hand unseen repelled the beast profane. + + The die of Fate may render others glad: + My own heart saddens, for its lot is sad. + + Thy chin's deep pit allures the lofty mind: + The hand would grasp thy locks in twines entwined, + + Hafiz his love-scroll + To Thyself addressed, + When he had cancelled + What his heart loved best. + + + +LXXXVIII + + The preacher of the town will find my language hard, maybe: + While bent upon deceit and fraud, no Mussulman is he. + + Learn drinking and do gracious deeds; the merit is not great + If a mere brute shall taste not wine, and reach not man's estate. + + Efficient is the Name Divine; be of good cheer, O heart! + The div becomes not Solomon by guile and cunning's art. + + The benisons of Heaven are won by purity alone: + Else would not pearl and coral spring from every clod and stone? + + + +CI + + Angels I saw at night knock at the wine-house gate: + They shaped the clay of Adam, flung into moulds its weight. + + Spirits of the Unseen World of Purities divine, + With me an earth-bound mortal, poured forth their 'wildering wine. + + Heaven, from its heavy trust aspiring to be free, + The duty was allotted, mad as I am, to me. + + Thank God my friend and I once more sweet peace have gained! + For this the houris dancing thanksgiving cups have drained. + + With Fancy's hundred wisps what wonder that I've strayed, + When Adam in his prudence was by a grain bewrayed?[43] + + Excuse the wrangling sects, which number seventy-two: + They knock at Fable's portal, for Truth eludes their view. + + No fire is that whose flame the taper laughs to scorn: + True fire consumes to ashes the moth's upgarnered corn. + + Blood fills recluses' hearts where Love its dot doth place, + Fine as the mole that glistens upon a charmer's face. + + As Hafiz, none Thought's face + Hath yet unveiled; not e'en + Since for the brides of Language + Combed have their tresses been. + + + +CXV + + Lost Joseph shall return to Kanaan's land--Despair not: + Affliction's cell of gloom with flowers shall bloom: + Despair not + + Sad heart, thy state shall mend; repel despondency; + Thy head confused with pain shall sense regain: + Despair not. + + When life's fresh spring returns upon the dais mead, + O night-bird! o'er thy head the rose shall spread: + Despair not, + + Hope on, though things unseen may baffle thy research; + Mysterious sports we hail beyond the veil: + Despair not. + + Has the revolving Sphere two days opposed thy wish, + Know that the circling Round is changeful found: + Despair not. + + If on the Ka'bah bent, thou brave the desert sand, + Though from the acacias thorn thy foot be torn, + Despair not, + + Heart, should the flood of death life's fabric sweep away, + Noah shall steer the ark o'er billows dark: + Despair not, + + Though perilous the stage, though out of sight the goal, + Whither soe'er we wend, there is an end: + Despair not, + + If Love evades our grasp, and rivals press our suit, + God, Lord of every change, surveys the range: + Despair not. + + Hafiz, in thy poor nook-- + Alone, the dark night through-- + Prayer and the Koran's page + Shall grief assuage-- + Despair not. + + + +CXXIX + + Endurance, intellect, and peace have from my bosom flown, + Lured by an idol's silver ear-lobes, and its heart of stone. + + An image brisk, of piercing looks, with peris' beauty blest, + Of slender shape, of lunar face, in Turk-like tunic drest! + + With a fierce glow within me lit--in amorous frenzy lost-- + A culinary pot am I, in ebullition tost. + + My nature as a shirt's would be, at all times free from smart, + If like yon tunic garb I pressed the wearer to my heart. + + At harshness I have ceased to grieve, for none to light can bring + A rose that is apart from thorns, or honey void of sting. + + The framework of this mortal form may rot within the mould, + But in my soul a love exists which never shall grow cold. + + My heart and faith, my heart and faith--of old they were unharmed, + Till by yon shoulders and yon breast, yon breast and shoulders charmed. + + Hafiz, a medicine for thy woe, + A medicine must thou sip, + No other than that lip so sweet, + That lip so sweet, that lip. + + + +CXXXIV + + Although upon his moon-like cheek delight and beauty glow, + Nor constancy nor love is there: O Lord! these gifts bestow. + + A child makes war against my heart; and he in sport one day + Will put me to a cruel death, and law shall not gainsay. + + What seems for my own good is this: my heart from him to guard; + For one who knows not good from ill its guardianship were hard. + + Agile and sweet of fourteen years that idol whom I praise: + His ear-rings in her soul retains the moon of fourteen days. + + A breath as the sweet smell of milk comes from those sugary lips; + But from those black and roguish eyes behold what blood there drips! + + My heart to find that new-born rose has gone upon its way; + But where can it be found, O Lord? I've lost it many a day. + + If the young friend who owns my heart my centre thus can break, + The Pasha will command him soon the lifeguard's rank to take. + + I'd sacrifice my life in thanks, + If once that pearl of sheen + Would make the shell of Hafiz' eye + Its place of rest serene. + + + +CXXXV + + I tried my fortune in this city lorn: + From out its whirlpool must my pack be borne. + + I gnaw my hand, and, heaving sighs of ire, + I light in my rent frame the rose's fire. + + Sweet sang the bulbul at the close of day, + The rose attentive on her leafy spray: + + "O heart! be joyful, for thy ruthless Love + Sits down ill-temper'd at the sphere above. + + "To make the false, harsh world thyself pass o'er, + Ne'er promise falsely and be harsh no more. + + "If beat misfortune's waves upon heaven's roof, + Devout men's fate and gear bide ocean-proof. + + "Hafiz, if lasting + Were enjoyment's day, + Jem's throne would never + Have been swept away." + + + +CXLV + + Breeze of the North, thy news allays my fears: + The hour of meeting with my Loved one nears. + + Prospered by Heaven, O carrier pigeon, fly: + Hail to thee, hail to thee, come nigh, come nigh! + + How fares our Salma? What Zu Salam's state? + Our neighbors there--are they unscathed by Fate? + + The once gay banquet-hall is now devoid + Of circling goblets, and of friends who joyed. + + Perished the mansion with its lot serene: + Interrogate the mounds where once 'twas seen. + + The night of absence has now cast its shade: + What freaks by Fancy's night-gang will be played? + + He who has loved relates an endless tale: + Here the most eloquent of tongues must fail. + + My Turk's kind glances no one can obtain: + Alas, this pride, this coldness, this disdain! + + In perfect beauty did thy wish draw nigh: + God guard thee from Kamal's malefic eye![44] + + Hafiz, long will last + Patience, love, and pain? + Lovers wail is sweet: + Do thou still complain. + + + +CXLVI + + O thou who hast ravished my heart by thine exquisite grace and thy + shape, + Thou carest for no one, and yet not a soul from thyself can escape. + + At times I draw sighs from my heart, and at times, O my life, thy + sharp dart: + Can aught I may say represent all the ills I endure from my heart? + + How durst I to rivals commend thy sweet lips by the ruby's tent gemmed, + When words that are vivid in hue by a soul unrefined are contemned? + + As strength to thy beauty accrues ev'ry day from the day sped before, + To features consummate as thine, will we liken the night-star no more. + + My heart hast thou reft: take my soul! For thine envoy of grief what + pretence? + One perfect in grief as myself with collector as he may dispense. + + O Hafiz, in Love's holy bane, + As thy foot has at last made its way, + Lay hold of his skirt with thy hand, + And with all sever ties from to-day. + + + +CXLIX + + Both worlds, the Transient and Eterne, for Saki and the Loved I'd yield: + To me appears Love's satellite the universe's ample field. + + Should a new favorite win my place, my ruler shall be still supreme: + It were a sin should I my life more precious than my friend esteem. + + + +CLV + + Last night my tears, a torrent stream, stopped Sleep by force: + I painted, musing on thy down, upon the water-course. + + Then, viewing my Beloved one's brow--my cowl burnt up-- + In honor of the sacred Arch I drained my flowing cup. + + From my dear friend's resplendent brow pure light was shed; + And on that moon there fell from far the kisses that I sped. + + The face of Saki charmed my eye, the harp my ear: + At once for both mine ear and eye what omens glad were here! + + I painted thine ideal face till morning's light, + Upon the studio of my eye, deprived of sleep at night. + + My Saki took at this sweet strain the wine-bowl up: + I sang to him these verses first; then drank to sparkling cup. + + If any of my bird-like thoughts from joy's branch flew, + Back from the springes of thy lock their fleeting wings I drew. + + The time of Hafiz passed in joy: + To friends I brought + For fortune and the days of life + The omens that they sought. + + + +CLVII + + Come, Sufi, let us from our limbs the dress that's worn for cheat Draw: + Let us a blotting line right through this emblem of deceit + Draw. + + The convent's revenues and alms we'd sacrifice for wine awhile, + And through the vintry's fragrant flood this dervish-robe of guile + Draw. + + Intoxicated, forth we'll dash, and from our feasting foe's rich stores + Bear off his wine, and then by force his charmer out of doors + Draw. + + Fate may conceal her mystery, shut up within her hiding pale, + But we who act as drunken men will from its face the veil + Draw. + + Here let us shine by noble deeds, lest we at last ashamed appear, + When starting for the other world, we hence our spirit's gear + Draw. + + To-morrow at Rizvan's green glade, should they refuse to make it ours, + We from their halls will the ghilman, the houris from their bowers + Draw. + + Where can we see her winking brow, that we, as the new moon of old, + At once may the celestial ball, as with a bat of gold, + Draw? + + O Hafiz! it becomes us not + Our boastful claims thus forth to put: + Beyond the limits of our rug + Why would we fain our foot + Draw? + + + +CLIX + + Aloud I say it, and with heart of glee: + "Love's slave am I, and from both worlds am free." + + Can I, the bird of sacred gardens, tell + Into this net of chance how first I fell? + + My place the Highest Heaven, an angel born, + I came by Adam to this cloister lorn. + + Sweet houris, Tuba's shade, and Fountain's brink + Fade from my mind when of thy street I think. + + Knows no astrologer my star of birth: + Lord, 'neath what plant bore me Mother Earth? + + Since with ringed ear I've served Love's house of wine, + Grief's gratulations have each hour been mine. + + My eyeball's man drains my heart's blood; 'tis just: + In man's own darling did I place my trust. + + My Loved one's Alif-form[45] stamps all my thought: + Save that, what letter has my master taught? + + Let Hafiz' tear-drops + By thy lock be dried, + For fear I perish + In their rushing tide. + + + +CLXVI + + Knowest thou what fortune is? + 'Tis Beauty's sight obtaining; + 'Tis asking in her lane for alms, + And royal pomp disdaining. + + Sev'erance from the wish for life an easy task is ever; + But lose we friends who sweeten life, the tie is hard to sever. + + Bud-like with a serried heart I'll to the orchard wander; + The garment of my good repute I'll tear to pieces yonder; + + Now, as doth the West-wind, tell deep secrets to the Flower, + Hear now of Love's mysterious sport from bulbuls of the bower. + + Kiss thy Beloved one's lips at first while the occasion lingers: + Await thou else disgust at last from biting lip and fingers. + + Profit by companionship: this two-doored house forsaken, + No pathway that can thither lead in future time is taken. + + Hafiz from the thought, it seems, + Of Shah Mansur has fleeted; + O Lord! remind him that the poor + With favor should be treated. + + + +CLXXIII + + With my heart's blood I wrote to one most dear: + "The earth seems doom-struck if thou are not near. + + "My eyes a hundred signs of absence show: + These tears are not their only signs of woe." + + I gained no boon from her for labor spent: + "Who tries the tried will in the end repent." + + I asked how fared she; the physician spake: + "Afar from her is health; but near her ache." + + The East-wind from my Moon removed her veil: + At morn shone forth the Sun from vapors pale. + + I said: "They'll mock, if I go round thy lane." + By God! no love escapes the mocker's bane. + + Grant Hafiz' prayer: + "One cup, by life so sweet!" + He seeks a goblet + With thy grace replete! + + + +CLXXX + + O thou who art unlearned still, the quest of love essay: + Canst thou who hast not trod the path guide others on the way? + + While in the school of Truth thou stay'st, from Master Love to learn, + Endeavor, though a son to-day, the father's grade to earn. + + Slumber and food have held thee far from Love's exalted good: + Wouldst thou attain the goal of love, abstain from sleep and food. + + If with the rays of love of truth thy heart and soul be clear, + By God! thy beauty shall outshine the sun which lights the sphere. + + Wash from the dross of life thy hands, as the Path's men of old, + And winning Love's alchemic power, transmute thyself to gold. + + On all thy frame, from head to foot, the light of God shall shine, + If on the Lord of Glory's path nor head nor foot be thine. + + An instant plunge into God's sea, nor e'er the truth forget + That the Seven Seas' o'erwhelming tide, no hair of thine shall wet. + + If once thy glancing eye repose on the Creator's face. + Thenceforth among the men who glance shall doubtless be thy place.[46] + + When that which thy existence frames all upside-down shall be, + Imagine not that up and down shall be the lot of thee. + + Hafiz, if ever in thy head + Dwell Union's wish serene, + Thou must become the threshold's dust + Of men whose sight is keen. + + + +[FOOTNOTES to THE DIVAN] + +[Footnote 1: "The traveller of the Pathway"--the Magian, or Shaikh. In +former times wine was chiefly sold by Magians, and as the keepers of +taverns and caravansaries grew popular, the term Magian was used to +designate not only "mine host," but also a wise old man, or spiritual +teacher.] + +[Footnote 2: An allusion to the dimple and moisture of the chin, +considered great beauties by Orientals.] + +[Footnote 3: Jem or Jemshid, an ancient King of Persia. By Jem and his +Saki are to be understood, in this couplet, the King of Yazd and his +courtiers.] + +[Footnote 4: By the azure cowl is implied the cloak of deceit and false +humility. Hafiz uses this expression to cast ridicule upon Shaikh +Hazan's order of dervishes, who were inimical to the brotherhood of +which the poet was a member. The dervishes mentioned wore blue to +express their celestial aspirations.] + +[Footnote 5: The disciples of Shaikh Hasan. Hafiz had incurred their +displeasure by the levity of his conduct.] + +[Footnote 6: In the "Gulistan" of Sa'di a philosopher declares that, of +all the trees, the cypress is alone to be called free, because, unlike +the others, it is not subject to the vicissitudes of appointed place and +season, "but is at all times fresh and green, and this is the condition +of the free."] + +[Footnote 7: In some MSS. we read: "The mirror of Sikander is the goblet +of Jem." King Jem, or Jemshid, had a talismanic cup: Sikander, or +Alexander, had inherited from pre-Adamite times a magic mirror by means +of which he was enabled to see into the camp of his enemy Dara (Darius). +Hafiz here informs us that the knowledge imputed to either king was +obtained by wine.] + +[Footnote 8: Referring to wine, which in the Koran is declared to be the +Mother of Vices.] + +[Footnote 9: Korah, Kore, or Karun, the Dives of his age, was an +alchemist. He lived in an excess of luxury and show. At the height of +his pride and gluttony he rebelled against Moses, refusing to pay a +tithe of his possessions for the public use. The earth then opened and +swallowed him up together with the palace in which he dwelt. (See Koran, +chap, xxviii, and, for the Bible narrative, The Book of Numbers, chap, +xvi.)] + +[Footnote 10: It was decreed from all eternity that Hafiz should drink +wine. He had therefore no free agency and could not be justly blamed.] + +[Footnote 11: The boy serving at the wine-house.] + +[Footnote 12: The curl of hair over a moon-like face is here compared to +a curved mall-bat sweeping over a ball.] + +[Footnote 13: By "earth" is to be understood Noah himself.] + +[Footnote 14: Fate, Fortune, and the Sky, are in Oriental poetry +intervertible expressions; and the dome of Heaven is compared to a cup +which is full of poison for the unfortunate.] + +[Footnote 15: The rebeck is a sort of violin having only three chords.] + +[Footnote 16: His locks being black as night and his cheek cheerful as +the Sun of Dai or December.] + +[Footnote 17: Kai-kaus, one of the most celebrated monarchs of Persia.] + +[Footnote 18: The pictured halls of China, or, in particular, the palace +of Arzhang, the dwelling of Manes. Manes lived in the third century of +our era, and his palace was famed as the Chinese picture-gallery. Hafiz +compares the bloom upon the cheek of his friend to the works of art +executed by Manes, in which dark shadows, like velvety down upon the +human face, excite no surprise.] + +[Footnote 19: The Nasrin is the dog-rose.] + +[Footnote 20: In Mohammedan countries it is customary to write upon the +doors: "O Opener of the gates! open unto us the gates of blessing."] + +[Footnote 21: Rizvan is the gardener and gatekeeper of Paradise.] + +[Footnote 22: The lote-tree, known to Arabs as the Tuba, is a prickly +shrub. The Koran says: "To those who believe, and perform good works, +appertain welfare and a fair retreat. The men of the right hand--how +happy shall be the men of the right hand!--shall dwell among the +lote-trees without thorns. Under their feet rivers shall flow in the +garden of Delight."] + +[Footnote 23: According to Oriental belief, the ruby and all other gems, +derive their brilliancy from the action of the sun. By a similar process +of Nature, ruby lips obtain their vivid color from the sun above them.] + +[Footnote 24: The zodiacal light or faint illumination of the sky which +disappears before the light of daybreak.] + +[Footnote 25: Asaf, Solomon's "Vizir," was entrusted with the +guardianship of the imperial signet ring, which was possessed of magical +properties. While in his care it was stolen. When Solomon granted an +audience to animals, and even insects, the ant, it is related, brought +as an offering a blade of grass and rebuked Asaf for having guarded the +royal treasure so carelessly. By Asaf, Hafiz symbolizes in the present +instance his friend or favorite; by the ant is implied a small hair on +the face, and by the lost signet of Jem, a beautiful mouth, so small and +delicate as to be invisible.] + +[Footnote 26: Majnun, a celebrated lover, maddened by the charms of +Laila.] + +[Footnote 27: This ode may have been written in gratitude for the +patronage of a man of rank.] + +[Footnote 28: Literally in this toper-consuming shrine (of the world). +The second line of the couplet probably means: Other revellers have +preceded me, but their heads are now potter's clay in the potter's field +of the earth.] + +[Footnote 29: The wild tulip of Shiraz has white petals streaked with +pink, the inner end of each bearing a deep puce mark. The dark spot +formed thus in the centre of the flower is compared to the brand of +love, pre-ordained on the Past Day of Eternity to be imprinted on the +heart of Hafiz.] + +[Footnote 30: Khosrau (Cyrus) is the title of several ancient kings of +Persia, and is here used in the plural to denote monarchs in general. +The term "kiblah," fronting-point, signifies the object towards which +the worshipper turns when he prays.] + +[Footnote 31: Korah or Karun--the miser who disobeyed Moses and was +swallowed up with his treasures by the earth. They are said to be still +sinking deeper and deeper. (See Numbers, xvi.)] + +[Footnote 32: How vain were the glories of Solomon! Asaf was his +minister, the East wind his courser, and the language of birds one of +his accomplishments; but the blast of time had swept them away.] + +[Footnote 33: The "Comment of the Comments" is a celebrated explanatory +treatise on the Koran.] + +[Footnote 34: Kaf is a fabulous mountain encircling the world. In this +couplet and the following the poet ridicules the ascetics of his time.] + +[Footnote 35: The false coiners are inferior poets who endeavor to pass +off their own productions as the work of Hafiz.] + +[Footnote 36: Aiman (Happiness) is the valley in which God appeared to +Moses--metaphorically, the abode of the Beloved.] + +[Footnote 37: "Mihrab"--the niche in a mosque, towards which Mohammedans +pray.] + +[Footnote 38: Kalandars are an order of Mohammedan dervishes who wander +about and beg. The worthless sectaries of Kalandarism, Hafiz says, shave +off beard and tonsure, but the true or spiritual Kalandar shapes his +path by a scrupulous estimate of duty.] + +[Footnote 39: "Farrukh" (auspicious) is doubtless the name of some +favorite of the Poet.] + +[Footnote 40: "Hindu" is here equivalent to "slave."] + +[Footnote 41: Zerdusht (in Latin, Zoroaster)--the celebrated prophet of +the Gulbres, or fire-worshippers. Nimrod is said to have practised a +religion, similar to theirs.] + +[Footnote 42: Ad and Thamud were Arab tribes exterminated by God in +consequence of their having disobeyed the prophet Salih.] + +[Footnote 43: By a "grain" is meant a grain of wheat; according to +Mohammedans, the forbidden fruit of Paradise.] + +[Footnote 44: Kamal was an Arab whose glance inflicted death.] + +[Footnote 45: "Alif-form," meaning a straight and erect form: the +letter Alif being, as it were, of upright stature.] + +[Footnote 46: "The men who glance" are lovers. The spiritual or true +lover is he who loves God.] + + +END OF VOLUME ONE + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSIAN LITERATURE, VOLUME +1,COMPRISING THE SHAH NAMEH, THE RUBAIYAT, THE DIVAN, AND THE GULISTAN
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